The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-08-12
REV. MIR. TALBOT IS RIGHT,

We commend to the attention of the
public as faithful testimony the re.
marks made by Superintendent Talbot
Of the NJ F., Mission at the opening of
| the Conference of that mission in this
! city on Thursday. DR.. Talbot speaks
! with reserve and after abundant and
long experience and full inquiry into
the subjects about which he speaks.
He speaks conservatively, moderately,
yet with emphasis and power,
His remarks were directed especially
TO the matter Of the prevalence of
polygamy and polygamous living in
Utah, and when he says that "candid
people do not attempt to deny that
considerable polygamy exists in Utah
| today" he speaks the sober, well-es-
tublished truth. And when he pro-
ceeds to say further. "nor can any
one deny that much of it is new in
tho sense that il has been entered into
since the ban was laid upon it by the
laws Of the State, and by agreement
of the organization which had previous.
ly permitted it," he is still on safe
and solid ground. There is NO question
whatever but that he speaks conserva.
lively and truly in so speaking.
DR., Talbot's further remarks were
printed in The Tribune yesterday
morning, and must find an echo in
every honest heart here that is con
versant with the situation, He was
naturally shocked by the report of a
talk given recently in Portland. Ore.
gon, by Apostle John Henry Smith
declaring that there is no polygamy in
Utah. Dr. Talbot finds that such a
denial as this is not credible, and he
finds it difficult to believe that any
one could have made such assertions
as are attributed to Apostle Smith in
that interview.
DR.. Talbot brings forth these points,
because, as he explains, people in 9th
er States have right to know the
conditions that the Methodist Mission
faces in Utah, He Justly says that the
Nation at large should understand the
situation, because the things mentioned
influence the methods and results of
all Christian work here.
AS a solution for the trouble. DR.,
Talbot declares cit is his conviction,
arrived at after considerable oppor.
tunity for consideration, that polygamy
is 30 firmly grounded in this State that
it will not be obliterated in Utah until,
in some way, the Federal Government
is vested with power to deal with it.
This evidently looks forward to the
adoption of the proposed constitutions
amendment vesting in Congress the
power to legislate on marriage and di-
vorce. The need of such a constitu,
tional amendment becomes more ap,
parent every day. Since President
Smith at the April Conference ex.
pressly withdrew any objections to that
amendment on the part of the Mormon
church, there ought to be less diff
this proposed amendment, and put it
before the States,
1t is heartsome to see gentlemen
like Superintendent Talbot take UP
the situation in Utah, and deal with
it in plain, straightforward terms. II
is a tower of strength to right think
ing and right action here, as well as to
right effort in getting proper results,
to find men of his attainments, sa-
gacity. moderation, and wisdom, speak
out plainly on conditions as they ex-
ist in Utah DR.. Talbot deserves the
thanks of the public for his plain
words, which must necessarily have an
important effect, not only locally, but
In the Nation at large.