The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-22
TANNER NoNpLUSED.

A curious story comes to The Trib.
unc to the effect that H. S. Tanner,
who was recently disfellowshipped
from the Mormon church by order of
he quorum Of Twelve, had brief tri-
umph over the general authorities Of the
church
The story goes that Mr.. Tanner was
called in TO make reply to the very
definite information. which the author
tiles had obtained, as TO his persist
eucc in law breaking in the matter of
polygamy. Mr.. Tanner quietly heard
what was said. then demanded that
he be furnished with complaint in
due and legal form; that he be faced
by his accusers. and be accorded all
the usual facilities for defense that Il
criminal enjoys when he is arraigned
before court of law. 1t was rather
a poser to tho authorities; that is pre-
cisely the attitude they themselves
have been taking towards accusers, de.
manding that anyone charging an
elder with transgrcssion come TO the
and with ample proof of the guilt of
the elder in question. But when con
fronted with that sort of "A demand
the authorities were nonplused, and
were not ready with their reply; so
the interview passed
But it is not usual for the church
authorities to give up n case of dis.
cipline, once they have entered upon
it, as everybody knows. And so, Elder
Tanner, somewhat to his surprise
found himself once more before the
authorities, with the demand that he
should conform to the rules Of the
church as publicly set forth; that the
Manifesto must not be further vio.
lated under any prctense whatever. Mr.
Tanner is said to have begun his for.
mer tactics, but was stopped at once
The authorities were not now disposed
to listen to any nonsense; they wanted
to know about his case: they wanted
to know about it right then and there
he would enter into harmony with his
quorum or not. The elder still under
took to stand upon his legal rights
from the culprit IS standpoint, and was
told that any tactics Of that kind must
necessarily result in immediate judg
ment against him. Then, it is said, he
| suggested an appeal to the first pres
| ideDey. The venerable president Of the
| Twelve is reported to haze jumped tc
| his feet, brought his fist down upon
The table with crash, and TO have
told Tanner with the utmost emphasis
| that while the Twelve were content al
that time to disfellowship him. if he
threatened any appeal from their de
cision he would be communicated
right then and there. And this done
it was Tanner who was nonplused
There was nothing for him to do but
to bow his head. give up his defiance
and clear out; and that is what hc
did
The story. as we believe, is essen
TALLY true. And it illustrates very
welcome change of attitude on the part
of the general authorities Of the churcl
toward transgressors who have newly
offended against the rule as promul
gated. 1t seems to be clear ease tha
Mr.. Tanner has not only been guilty
as accused in The Tribune, but i
would seem as though the Twelve mus
have some evidence of a fresh offense
or they would not have been so peremp
tory. At any rate, it is good to SCI
that they have disciplined II, S, Tan
ner; besides, his case will undoubtedl,
be warning TO others who were like
wise stiff-necked and rebellious.