History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

690
CHURCH AND STATE.
gether outside the intent of the national legislature
as expressed in the Edmunds act, which was at best
but a temporary and ill-judged measure, and one that
in the opinion of some of the ablest lawyers in the
United States was unconstitutional.
Not content with this puerile display of authority,
the governor, at the conclusion of what he terms
"the faithful labors of the commissioners appointed
under the Edmunds act," recommended that the legislature
be abolished, and that Utah be placed entirely
under control of a commission to be selected by the
president, not as was done with the territory of
Louisiana and the District of Columbia, but to reduce
its inhabitants to the condition of serfs; "for," he
remarks, "I confidently believe that from such action
by congress and a council composed of men loyal to
the constitution and the laws, there would come that
adjustment of wrongs and termination of contentions
so earnestly prayed for by those in Utah who possess
the intelligence and one third of the wealth of the
territory." 26 and
To the Mormons, as it would seem, he
denied the attribute of intelligence ;
by such rulers,
with scarce an exception, has this people been misgoverned—a
people which to impartial observers has
been subjected to abuse, calumny, and persecution
such as are almost without parallel, even in their
Hebrew prototype.
1S84, May 11, 26, 1885; S. F. Bulletin, Apr. 21, 1885; Sacramento Rec.-Union,
Apr. 25, May 23, Oct. 7, 1S84; Jan. 21, 22, 30, Feb. 6, 9, 11, March 13, 16,
Apr. 27. 28, 30, May 1, 12, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 29, 30, June 4, 29, 1S85. For
prosecutions in Arizona, see Id., Sept. 29, Nov. 28, 1SS4; Apr. 8, 13, 1885.
At Paris, Id., polygamists resisted arrest. Id., May 12, 15, 21, 18S5. In 18S0
further alterations were made in the first and third judicial districts, for which,
see Utah Laws, 1SS0, pp. 67-8.
26 S. L. City Tribune, Nov. 2S, 18S3. The governor's policy was indorsed
by President Arthur, and of course by the gentile community of Utah. See
Id., Dec. 23, 1SS3.