The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-18
LET THE CLEANSING GO ON.

Let the good work go forward. In
asmuch as the officials of the Mormon
church have partially awakened 10 n
sense of their duty by withdrawing
the hand of fellowship from Elder Jo-
scph w. Musser, new polygamlst, The
Tribune suggests that the matter be
proceeded with along that line until
all the offenders are brought to book
This suggestion is made in spirit OF
Justice. 1t would be unfair to punish
one and allow others to go free of all
consequences when the nature of the
offending is identical. Along with this
suggestion. and as an aid to recollcc-
ton, the following named cases are
presented as being deserving OF the M
vcstigative activities of the ecclesi-
asts:
John W. Taylor, former member oil
the quorum Of the twelve, and still an
apostle in the sense that his apostleship
can not be taken away from him so long
as his priesthood remains, In this par
ticular case, the offending has not only
occurred in the fact that he has been
plurally married since the issuance of
the Woodruff manifesto, but that he has
performed ceremonies which drew
others into similarly unlawful con-
.iugal state.
Matthias +. Cowley, TO whom the pre-
sentation in the case of Mr.. Taylor Will
apply with equal truth. They were
companions, and apparently bonded to-
gether under agreement to commit their
crimes In unison-in other words, TO be
N'ih harmony with one another.
Frank Y Taylor, who is president of
the Granite stake Of Zion, His offend
ing is peculiarly and particularly OBJ
noxous, because he now holds high
station as an ecclesiastical cxemplar to
the Mormon people, under the caves Of
headquarters. He is the direct creature,
officially, Of tho president of the
church, and action IN his case would
demonstrate that there was some truth
in the protestations of the first presi-
dency that they do not approve new
polygamy.
the San Juan stake. In this case the
observations as TO the preceding one
will apply. In addition, he is a brother
of the president of the quorum Of the
twelve apostles.
Joseph NJ Tanner, whose braZcn mas
tincss has been an insult to every
citizen of the State of Utah, but who
sl,
munity hearthstone because he boasts
that he rests in the favor of the presi-
dent of the church.
Henry s. Tanner. He is still in good
standing in the church, and so far US
can be learned the only consequence
to him on account of his offending is
that he is now better off materially than
when he made pretense at practicing
law IN this city.
George M. Cannon is n prominent
| elder down in the Forstdalc ward
commonly known as new poygamist
nest-and is held in good fellowship.
| His business indicates that ne is not
held in any disfavor by prominent
church officials.
Alpha j.. Iliggs has. it is true, been
deposed from his position as n counselor
TO a ward bishop here; but the fact
remains that, having rum away with
and poygamously married the daughter
of prominent churchman of Salt Lake,
he has blossomcd ont as "a merchant
in the Mormon polygamous refuge es-
| tablished at Alberta, Canada. And at
that his case appears TO have been
dropped entirely-probablv because he
was close associate of President Jo.
scph +. Smith in the dissemination of
literature intended to elevate the moral
tone of the youth of Zion. He is still
in fellowship.
Lewis NJ. Cannon, who is even now
the bishop Of the Cannon ward of Pio-
ncer stake. Another exemplar in high
place,
Samuel Newton, who also skipped 10
Canada after having inveigled an Eng
lish convert, made by him while sup
posedly preaching the gospel OF Christ,
into the sin which has blighted what
otherwise might have been happy
and virtuous life. He is still in good
standing.
John NJ. Cannon, who lives and prac-