can understand but one language. All the land sold to these tribes-outlet" and the Choctaws' and Every sentence spoken in the Cher- the Poncas, Nez Perces, Pawnees, Chickasaws' lands will possibly beokee tongue occupies fully twice as Missourias, Otoes and Osages-were come government property. The much time as when rendered in conveyed to them at the same time Indians there have no title to the English; thus during session hours and in similar manner, and it is not lands on which they are, but are the time is mostly spent in leading explained why the Osage tract is controlled entirely by the United and interpreting committee reports omitted, though the payment offered States; so negotiations with them and communications, and work is could not be otherwise claimed for as to a sale are not necessary. mostly attended to in committee any of the lands thus sold. If the The Territory of Oklahoma is siturooms where interpreters are also Cherokees desire, the whole amount ated in the very heart of the Indian generally required. Most of the which the conveyance of the land country, surrounded on all sides by business is done by half a dozen of will bring-over $7,000,000-can be Indian lands. The object in treating the ablest men of each body, and divided among the people, each in- with these Indians is to open up a many of the present incumbents are dividual citizen obtaining about sufficient area for settlement to form but learning their first lessons in $300 therefrom; or one-half can be an additional Territory or State. If legislative matters. Chaplains are paid to the people, and the interest negotiations are successful, more not among the appointed officers on the balance, invested in U. S. than twenty million acres will be who receive pay for services and bonds, will give them an annual added to the Oklahoma tract--the all prayers are offered gratuitously. income of $177,000, or the whole sum lands of the Indians being decreased A limited number of desks are pro- can be invested at 5 per cent per and the domain of the white man vided, but the majority are without, annum. In fact, the money is to be extended. This has been such a and generally rest easily against the completely at the disposal of the prominent policy for many generawall, apparently taking no notice of Cherokees. In all payments to the tions that it is now looked upon as a what is going on. As the members people of the nation the white proper plan to follow. No doubt the use tobacco freely, and almost con-adopted citizens do not share-only public land strips west of the Territinually in some form, the room in those of Indian blood, and freed-tory will also be included in the prowhich they sit is often enveloped men and their descendants who posed extension. in a dense cloud of smoke. Specta- were slaves in the nation at the tors are allowed the liberty of listen- time of the war and returned prior ing and run from one room to an- to 1868; also two small tribes, the other, oftentimes making the pro- Delawares and Shawnees, who have ceedings difficult to be understood, settled among the Cherokees and because of noise, and at this session become part of the nation. so much interest is being taken as Nothing definite has yet been to what action the council will pur- done, but the offer of $1.25 will probsue on certain questions, there is a ably be rejected. The committee greater number of visitors than in whose hands the matter was inusual. This law-making body is trusted, has reported adversely, prenot in any way free from the profes-senting two resolutions, viz., the sional lobbyists, who now-a-days majority favoring informing the loiter around legislatures while in commissioners that the proposals session. were not acceptable; the minority Four weeks have passed since the providing for a committee to treat council assembled. The thirty days further with the commissioners. limitation expires December 7th, But a substitute has been introduced but an extra session may be called (and will probably pass), providing by the chief, but only to consider for a delegation of four or six to such business as he may place before continue negotiations, with instructhem. Very little has been accom- tions to decline the present offer and plished thus far, and questions which submit a proposition to sell the land public interest has been centered on, for a greater value, in connection are now but beginning to be consid- with the understanding that the ered. The propositions regarding the United States will rectify grievances sale of the land known as the of which the Indians complain. Cherokee Outlet were referred to the This substitute was introduced by Senate committee on foreign rela- Hon. L. H. Bell, President of the tions, and recently they have re- Senate, and one of the shrewdest ported. As there are some of the politicians and legislators among the Nation's ablest men considering Cherokees. It is almost certain this this question, no doubt the Indian's will be the next movement. The welfare will be kept in view. To principal chief still continues his this committee the United States opposition to a sale under present commissioners submitted all the proposals, and the majority in both propositions which they were em- houses are pledged to the same powered to; and, providing the In-political party and platform as the dians cannot do better, those offers chief. This fact has its weight. may be accepted. The Cherokees, from the lands ceded to them in this Territory,have already sold to the government (held in trust for the various tribes) over two million acres of land on their Outlet to settle friendly Indians on, and the money accruing from those sales, at their appraised value, is in vested in United States bonds, as is provided by treaty that all currency received from sale of lands shall be. The commission, in addition to offering $1.25 per acre for the unoccupied land, propose adding an amount to that already paid suffici ent to raise the price of those lands settled by friendly tribes, to $1.25 per acre, with the exception of the lands occupied by the Osage Nation. The commissioners' negotiations with other Indians, however, have apparently a better prospect of success. The Choctaw and Chickasaw National Councils have considered with favor the proposals for the sale of their lands lying between the 98th degree and the 100th degree longitude, and containing over 7,000,000 acres, on which there are now friendly Indians; and have appointed delegates to meet the commissioners, empowering the former to sell the lands. They are now on their way to the Cherokee capital; but the action of the Cherokees will have a bearing upon the course of the representatives from the other civilized nations. Lands occupied by the Indians, not as civilized as the five nations, lying between the The disposition to be made of those Indiaus now living upon the tracts before mentioned is to offer them a choice of lands in their leservations before they are opened to settlement, and become citizens of the United States. In the event of those tribes refusing to accept this disposition, abandon their tribal relations, and live among the whites, the government may move them on to the lands owned by some of the other nations. In case the Cherokees refuse to sell their lands, these Indians can be placed on the "outlet" lands, after an appraised value is paid the present owners. In the treating at present with the Cherokee Council, many o those interested in the question have construed certain statements of the commis-ion and Secretary o the Interior as an attempt to coerce them into selling. Prominent in this regard is the assertion that if the "outlet" or "strip" is not sold at the present offer, friendly Indians will be settled thereon and a less value per acre paid, and that other Indians may also be settled east of the 96th degree, which is the land given the Cherokees for homes. The last treaty with this nation provides that this may be done, and it is an objectionable part to the Indians. The commission propose to abrogate this stipulation in connection with the sale. This latter tract, if alloted to the present claimants, would give them a trifle over 200 acres to each citizen; and a great proportion of it is unfit for cultivation. While the placing of other Indians could be done should they abandon their tribal relations and be given land in different sections of the country, it cannot be done if the Indiaus persist in maintaining their tribal status, as there is not sufficient unoccupied land to allot 160 acres to each head, without interfering with the lands now under cultivation. Such settlement is only allowable by permission of the Cherokee, provided the President of the United States shall not declare the objections insufficient. No small amount of speculation is indulged in as to the title pos sessed by the Cherokees to the simple title to their lands and do not Lake City, on behalf of a large "outlet (west." It is a question on recognize the right of the depart- number of the qualified voters of which eminent jurists and govern- ment to interfere in the manage- said city and party, hereby make ment officers differ; and the com- ment of their affairs with reference the following complaint against the missioners, to avoid any disputation thereto. * ** The land is theirs deputy registration officers appointupon the subject, propose to buy "all and they have an undoubted right to ed by your honorable body for £aid title, claim or interest" which the use it in any way that a white man city, to wit: Indians may have. The United would use it, with the same character Against H. S. MCCALLUM, that States cannot compel a sale or take of title, and an attempt to deprive the he has discriminated against certhe land without the consent of the nation of the right would be in tain voters by refusing to register Cherokees, except by violating their direct conflict with the treaty as them except at their homes but regtreaties. But they can settle friend-well as the plain words of the istering others not at their homes. ly Indians thereon by paying an patent. They are quite capable of That he has refused to correct the appraised value. But the Indians determining, without the aid of name of a registered voter which have the right to lease the outlet the department or congress, what had been changed on the list, or to lands to whom they wish. is to their advantage or dis-re-register him or correct the wrong The Cherokee Indians, when advantage and the govern-in any way. they sold their lands east of the ment cannot interfere with the That he has assumed to exercise Mississippi to the United States, re- rightful occupation of their lands, judicial functions and pass upon ceived in exchange 7,000,000 acres, which are as rightfully theirs as the the qualifications of citizens, ready to be used as homes; 800,000 acres public domain is that of the United to take the oath prescribed; that (since solu), and the "outlet west;" States, subject only to the provi- he has declared his intention not to in all over 14,000,000 acres, in ad- sions of Article 16, Treaty of 1866, register such persons at any time, dition to a money consideration. which, at most, is only a contract to but threatened them with the peniIn the treaty describing the sell certain portions of the lands; tentiary. boundaries of the two first but until the government settles mentioned tracts, there is fur-friendly Indians thereon and pays ther guaranteed to the Cherokee for the lands, the right of possession nation a perpetual outlet west and a and occupancy is especially refree and unmolested use of the coun- served." try lying west of the western boundary" of the lands set apart for homes; "and letters patent shall be issued as soon as practicable for the land guaranteed." of differ That he has refused to register voters at whose residences he had called when they were not at home but who appeared at his office and asked to be registered, he declining to register them until after December 23rd, 1889. That he has neglected his duty by spending time at stations, hotels, business houses, etc., when he should have been visiting the dwellings of citizens, thus leaving many houses in his precinct unvisited. That he has registered some voters at his own house, and refused this privilege to others on the same day. Against J. R. MORRIS, that he has discriminated as aforesaid and by calling at certain houses and pass ing by others on the same block, sometimes skipping a house, but visiting those on either side of it. The Cherokees understand their position, and in what they do, while believing that the Indians Against E. R. CLUTE, that he has have often been unjustly dealt discriminated against voters as with, think their own wel-above described. The land was so surveyed and the fare and benefit, rights and privipatent issued in 1838, by which the leges, will not be lost sight of, and Cherokees were "to have and to any encroachment thereon will be hold the same together with all the met by every legal power rights, privileges and appurtenances they can resort to. But there thereto belonging to the Cherokee is little doubt that an nation forever," provided, however, amicable settlement that certain rights be reserved to the ence will take place at no distant United States, these being mainly day. The truth of the following to allow other Indians to get salt statement is, however, verified in from the salt plains thereon; that if the history of the "Red Man," as the Cherokee nation become extinct, far as his lands are concerned, at or abandons the same, it shall re-least: "The native tribes who were vert to the United States; and the found on this continent at the time United States may settle of its discovery have never been friendly Indians thereon, to be acknowledged or treated as indetaken in compact form in quan-endent nations by the European tity not exceeding 160 acres for governments, nor regarded as the each member of said tribes thus to be settled, the parties interested to agree upon the value to be paid; and in case of disagreement the President of the United States to determine the price to be paid to the Cherokee. "But until thus sold and occupied by friendly Indians, the Cherokees nation retains the right of possession of and jurisdiction over all of said country;" after such sale may be made, "all right of possession and jurisdiction ceases forever as to each of said tracts disposed of." any owners of the territories they respec- COMPLAINT AGAINST REGISTRARS Regarding the dealings with the cattlemen in leasing their lands, the Cherokees maintain the correctness of their course by decisions of the circuit and supreme courts and the opinion of ex-Secretary of the Interior Teller. The latter, in giving On December 11th the People's his views, states that "The Chero- Municipal Central Committee filed kees are not prohibited from with the Utah Commission the foldisposing of the grass grow-lowing ing upon their land, any more CHARGES than they are prohibited from disposing of the wheat, corn or SALT LAKE CITY, U. T., vegetables raised thereon, as the December 11, 1889. fruits of their labor. * * * The privilege of grazing cattle is but a To the Honorable Utah Commission, license and not a lease. It conveys no interest in the lands occupied. * * * AGAINST THE REGIS- That he has refused to register, except at their homes, voters who called upon him and informed him that they could not remain at their homes, and desired to know where they could be registered, he replying that he would have an office but could not tell when it would be open. That he has refused to state when he would visit certain families, or at what time, so that voters might remain at home to meet him. That he has refused to register voters who called on him after he had visited their homes when they were not at home, until after December 23, 1889. That he also has assumed judicial functions, declaring persons not legal residents who have resided in the city for many years. Against R. D. WINTERS, that he has also discriminated against voters as heretofore described. That he has neglected his duty as to house to house visiting. That he has declared his registration closed on November 27th and on November 28th for the Fourth Precinct, refusing to register any more persons in that precinct until after December 23rd, leaving many of them unregistered. Against LOUIS HYAMS, that he has discriminated against voters as Salt Lake City, Utah Territory: That he has neglected his duty as to house to house visitation and yet has stated that he could not possibly attend to it in the time. That after arranging and agreeing to register voters who came to him in the manner agreed upon he utterly refused to fulfil his promise and would not register them. That he has refused to register a number of the members of the People's Party until after December 23. That he has not only refused to register voters at his office or house, but to inform them when he would be on his "beat" or when he would call at their houses. Today's session of the Commission We are somewhat elated at the was spent in considering the charges prospect of having a railroad in our and determining upon the course of valley. A surveying party has alprocedure in an investigation. ready staked off a route from ParaColonel Godfrey, chairman of the goona, Iron County, across the Commission, stated that an order Buckskin Pass, into Bear Valley, was being formulated, and the regis- thence down Bear Canyon and the trars would have an opportunity to South Fork of the Sevier. answer. Until this was done, he said, the order of the Commission would not be made public. There will be nothing done during the remainder of this week, as it is the last of the house to house canvass, and the People's Central Committee are desirous of placing no From the general course pursued obstacle whatever in the way of by the registration officers in this the registrare doing their work. city we have good and ample rea- Further steps will be taken, and sons to believe that they are ready evidence be introduced to sustain and willing to register members of the charge, after the Commission the Liberal party but unwilling to designates a time, which will not register members of the People's interfere with or impede registraParty. Also that by the exclusion of a large number of legal voters from registration until the week commencing December 23rd many of them will be prevented from registering and thus a fair election will be prevented. tion. SNOWFLAKE CONFERENCE. There has been a pleasant rain in the valley, with some snow in the mountains. Stockmen are driving their cattle to a winter range for safety. S. O. CROSBY. PANGUITCH, Garfield Co., Dec. 4, 1889. THE IDAHO TEST OATH. The argument of Judge Jere Wilson, in the Idaho test oath case, was made yesterday, and was very clear and logical. He said that the lawmaking department had no right to go into the domain of conscience and make a man an offender because of his religious belief. This was precisely what the Idaho oath The quarterly conference of the did, by disfranchising a citizen beSnowflake Stake was held at Taylor cause of his membership in a relion Sunday and Monday, Dec. 1st gious association, and its action was and 2nd. There were present on violative of the Constitution of the the stand, of the local authorities, United States. Judge Wilson cited President J. N. Smith, most of the from numerous authorities, and High Council and Bishops, and from decisions of the Supreme President D. K. Udall, of the St. Court, in line with his position. Johns Stake. The attendance was During the argument he was lislarge and the instructions and teach-tened to attentively by the Court, And it is their duty to registerings were of an excellent character. and numerous questions were asked qualified voters at any convenient The subjects of tithing and the by the judge. place within their precincts and at education of the young were well treated upon, also many other matters of interest to the Saints. We respectfully ask your honorable body to inform the registration officers that the law in regard to visiting the houses of citizens is not so much for the convenience of the officers as that of the voters, and is intended to facilitate, not prevent a full and fair registration. reasonable business hours. That they have no judicial powers and cannot legally refuse to register persons ready to answer proper questions and take the oath prescribed by law. That they must not discriminate between members of different political parties. And that on failure or neglect to perform their duties they be promptly removed and other officers appointed in their stead. H. W. Smith, better known as "Kentucky" Smith, followed. He is now a resident of Ogden, but formerly lived in Idaho, and is understood to be the franier of the test oath that is being discussed. He claimed that the oath was not violative of the Constitution; that it went no farther into the domain of religious belief than did the EdmundsTucker oath, passed by Congress in 1887. He insisted that membership in a church or association could be made a disqualification for citizenship, as being a member of any orOn the first day of December,ganization was not an action, and was a rightful subject of legislation. The regular Priesthood meeting The general and local authorities NOTES FROM PANGUITCH. We also ask further, that your honorable body appoint a sufficient number of deputy registration offi- at 8 p.m., occurred the death of the cers to be at designated places dur- twin daughter of Bishop R. A. ing the week commencing on De- Allen, of Junction Ward, Piute cember 23d to register all qualified County. At 11:30 the same night, voters who have not then been reg-Sister Mary Bell departed this life, istered. And that additional regis- and at 5 o'clock next morning Sister tration officers to at least the num- Sarah Adeline Sery died, making ber of one for each precinct be ap- three deaths in one night. Bishop pointed from among members of the Allen was at this place attending People's Party. All the registra- the Stake quarterly conference, and tion officers now appointed are at 7 p.m. went to the Priesthood known to be members of the Liberal meeting, leaving his family at Party, strong and avowed partisans, Brother Cameron's house. In a ready to serve their political asso- short time he received a call from ciates to the utmost of their his wife telling of the sickness of power. We therefore urge that the his child. He hastened home, but party to which we are attached be the little one expired in a short accorded this representation in order time after his arrival. Sister Bell, that justice may be done and that the widow of Brother Archibald the approaching municipal election Bell (who died about eight months may be conducted fairly and express ago), leaves nine children, the choice of the majority of the youngest only eight days old. She voters of this city. was a firm and faithful Latter-day Saint, and loved and respected by all. Very respectfully, HEBER M. WELLS, the The court adjourned last evening before Mr. Smith had concluded his argument. This afternoon he proceeded in the same vein as yesterday. When he finished, Hon F. S. Richards began the closing argument and made a telling speech. "Kentucky" Smith's points were completely met. It is believed here that the court cannot decide against membership in the "Mormon" Church and in favor of the law, on constitutional grounds. The authorities cited were numerous and pointed. Dubois was present during the proceedings. WASHINGTON, D. Č., Dec. 10. MANTI SHAKEN. There was a heavy shock of earthSister Sery was in her eighteenth quake felt about 4 o'clock last Saturyear, and it is stated, was to have day morning. Some of the resibeen married next Christmas. She dents of the north-west part of was the daughter of Bishop George town were considerably alarmed, W. and Phoebe Butler Sery. The but no damage was done.-Manti father is now an exile in Mexico, Sentinel, The Deseret Weekly. PUBLISHED BY lief in polygamy and unlawful co- IN EUROPE. A TERRIBLE condition exists in THE DESERET NEWS COMPANY. People's party questioned "Liberal", Westphalia, the great coal mining applicants regarding their morality; whether they had committed fornication or adultery. The reply from $2.50. the Liberal side was that 999 out of every 1,000 men had engaged in such practices, but this was no bar to admission to citizenship. 1.50. EDITOR December 21, 1889, UNJUST REFLECTIONS. ON WEDNESDAY, Dec. 3rd, the NEWS published a special from Beaver which conveyed a general idea of a portion of Judge Anderson's charge to the grand jury, delivered on the afternoon of the day The Judge ruled on the point, his be a man of bad moral character. region of Germany. Thousands of coal miners are out on a strike, which is producing an enormous amount of distress. The assertion is contained in the dispatches that a single man cannot live on the wages that the miners have been receiving, and it is therefore the more apparent that families whose heads are out of work must be experiencing a famine. That the trouble has reached a desperate stage is indicated by the fact that the employers will no longer negotiate with the strikers through the latter's repre sentatives. It would seem from this that the miners must make an The court seemed to overlook the unconditional surrender on the previous. We now have the full text of the particular passage refact that the offenses under consider- terms that have been prescribed by ferred to and, as a matter of histori-ation are rendered criminal under the men who own or control the cal interest, if for no other purpose, the Edmunds-Tucker act, conse- mines, or they and their families present it here: quently the individual who commits must continue in a famishing condithem can scarcely be consistently tion. Troops are held in readiness classed among those who are well to suppress any uprising of the disposed to the Constitution and starving men, and the situation is laws, even if he shouldn't happen one which is seriously embarrassing to be a "Mormon.” to the government. The sentiment of the country is with the miners. To add to the seriousness of the "I desire to especially enjoin upon you the duty of investigating all violations of the laws of the United States against bigamy, polygamy, unlawful cohabitation, adultery and fornication. These are the prevailing crimes in this While His Honor exhibits his Territory, and are committed by a anti- "Mormon” bias, unjustly large number of its inhabitants. In-charging a given class of the com- general situation in Emperor Wilcredible as it may seem, the commismunity with the justification and liam's domain, it seems likely that sion of these crimes is justified, upheld and taught by large commission of a special class of Bismarck's efforts to prevent the numbers of the people under offenses against the law, it may be accomplishment of a friendly underthe pretense of religious sanction well for him to ask himself whether, standing between Russia and Ausand religious duty. The open and in his blind zeal in a specific direc-tria cannot Lauch longer continue notorious commission of this class of tion, he has not condoned the successful, and that the latter is decrimes by the pe ple of this Territory crimes of adultery and fornication termined to recognize Prince Ferdihas long been a public scandal and when committed by another section nand. This action on Austria's part disgrace, and the most important of cf the community. means her recognition of Russian your duties as jurors will be the insupremacy in Bulgaria, a principaldicting of any and all persons within ity lying so near the Bosphorus that this district who may be guilty of a Russian control of it is intolerable violation of the laws referred to, to the to several of the Powers, including end that these degrading crimes Germany. against the law, the sanctity of the home and its marriage relations, may be promptly punished and pressed." sup Even if the commission of these crimes should, in the discretion of the court, be made no bar for admission to citizenship, it cannot, conformably with law, hold that the 999 out of every 1000 non-"Mormons”—according to the admission and calculation of Mr. "Liberal" The statement in relation to crime Lippman-have not been guilty of being upheld and taught as a re-breaking the statute which provides ligious duty by the people to whom pains and penalties for sexual ofhe refers is without warrant. As fenses. Yet toward the one thouwe have heretofore shown, in our sand less one, it is evident that the opinion his honor came as near justifying the two last named of the offenses ennumerated by him as need be. His position in that respect is notorious. learned Judge, in his charge at If Austria consents to support Russian control in Bulgaria, it will break the alliance between Austria, Germany and Italy. For a small Alpine province, perhaps for much less, Austria can purchase Italy's consent to refrain from objecting, and thus Bismarck will be left alone in the defense of Turkey, unless England sustains him; but she has lately refrained from taking an active part in continental politics. Russia and France are firm friends, aud if they can induce Austria to join them, and make Italy lukewarm in her friendship for Germany, which seems to be the present trend, it will be Russia's time to strike for the attainment of her traditional purpose, the possession of Of course we do not desire to be understood as accepting Mr. LippThe public were perhaps satiated, man's calculation as mathematically if not nauseated by the proceedings correct. Justice demands that due before Judge Anderson which grew allowance be made for the liability out of the application of certain of men to judge of morality from an aliens for naturalization. Bosses of individual standpoint. But, be that the "Liberal" party were permitted as it may, his proportionate estimate to put all kinds of questions to "Mor- serves well enough as an illustra- the Bosphorus. mon" applicants regarding their be- tion, Germany cannot depend upon Austria as against Russia, because being punctured and dissipated. straightforward. It is presumed that of the fact that so large a portion of While they have falsely charged what the statement embodies was the latter's population are Sclavs, disloyalty upon the religious asso- understood by the Council commitwhich race predominates in Russia, ciation against which the statute tee who investigated the subject and and of the spread of a pan-Sclavic was aimed, they themselves, in the made the proposition to the Hydrausentiment in those and other very enactment in question, have lic Canal Company, and by the countries where the same race is manifested that they are disloyal to Council itself. Clear-headed busifound. The Latin and Teutonic the core. ness men do not enter upon such races have no marked affinities for transactions without due scrutiny of the facts and equities involved. It is folly for men to suppose that each other, a fact that weakens any constitutional rights can be denied compact between Germany and to one class of citizens, and the libAlleged aspersions cast by one or Italy; while the latter country has erties of the whole remain secure. more members of the Council in the nearly all the time for centuries The historian Froude states a strik-direction of this transaction have, it been friendly with France, another ing truth in his work on the Cæsars appears, induced the company to Latin Power. The Anglo-Saxon when he says, in substance, that recite the facts and make the proand the Teuton races have generally if history has taught any one thing position which concludes the docubeen friendly. clearly it is this: When the rights of ment. Had it not been for the una constitution are denied, upon any precedented drouth of the present pretext, to any class of citizens, the and last year, perhaps there would constitution itself falls to pieces, have been no such reflections infrom mere incompetence for its du-dulged in. But be this as it may, One of the elements now working out in European politics certain marked effects, is racial affinity. Sclavs sympathize with each other, Latins entertain a mutual friendship, while the Teutonic elements of English blood gravitate towards their continental kindred. "Blood will tell." No period of the world's history is so fraught with rich lessons concerning the forces that operate in the politics, rise and fall of nations as are current developments in Europe. ties. Any denial of such rights is tyranny, and as justice is the essence of all government, when that is withheld, disaster to the whole body politic is a foregone conclusion. Even the smallest inroad upon the right of the citizen ought not to be permitted. If it should be it will act like an apparently insignificant crevasse in the bank of a river with a whole an elevated channel. The water THE IDAHO TEST CASE. trickles through the tiny aperture THE appealed case in which the at first, gradually widening it validity of the Idaho religious test till it becomes gap through oath is embraced is now in the which the entire stream rushes nands of the Supreme Court of the impetuously, deluging the United States. The decision of that surrounding country. Should the august tribunal will be awaited Idaho test oath be sustained, we do with deep anxiety. The question not doubt that this figure will have involved is one in which the whole a practical illustration by the apnation is interested. It is not only pearance ultimately of its legitimate the well-being of the community of results. the Latter-day Saints that is at stake, but that of the country at large. This is necessarily so in every case involving a question of constitutional right of the sovereign citizen. The one in point includes one of the most important guaranties of that sacred instrument, which provides that "No religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust in the United States." A test which excludes the citizen from the privilege of the elective franchise and from holding office or public trust on account of membership in a particular church is, to all intents and purposes, a bar on the ground of religion, and therefore an unconstitutional obstacle. here is presented an opportunity for the city to extricate itself from a position in which it was placed by its own act. Let the Council proceed accordingly. FISH THIEVES. THE following communication, dated Harrisville, Utah, Dec. 6, has been handed to us by the recipient, with the request that we publish it: A. M. Musser, Dear Sir: Shad? Well, it appears so. And is there no law to protect them? Can't or won't the people do justice to themselves and the little fish by letting them alone long enough to have one spawning season? I would like to see a native Utah shad. But if your Salt Lake vandals are permitted to destroy the original plant there is but little hope of my wish ever being gratified. Call a meeting, arouse the people and see if public sentiment won't deter them from pursuing such a thieving course. No honest man would be guilty of catching or selling them, and if there is no law there should be one Men who formulate, favor and enact such religious test statutes as the one under consideration are in a certain sense anarchists, because every blow aimed at the liberties of the people of the Republic, or any as soon one can be brought before our class of them, leads, when success-legislature, and I would be glad to ful, to chaotic results. We hope and have it reach back and catch the believe that they will receive no en- catchers. couragement from the Supreme Tribunal of the land, whose duty it is to be governed by law and principle, being seated, in their high calling, far above the influence of public prejudice and popular clamor. A FAIR PROPOSITION. Yours to punish the shaders, T. W. HURd. Persons who take fish, especially imported plant designed to stock local waters and thereby furnish a public food supply, are certainly the enemies of the public, and deserve to suffer the penalties provided by law. Something should be done to restrain their greed and cupidity, and to protect society from their ravages upon what would, if fosThose who have formulated and ered, become a source of public enacted the infamous test statute wealth. The violator of the fish have put forth numberless excuses to a one-sixth interest in the Jordan and game law is a creature who, to for their nefarious political work, dam and its storage capacity. The enrich himself to the extent of one but all of them are susceptible of recitation of facts is clear and cent, would rob the public of any AT last evening's session of the City Council the Hydraulic Canal Company submitted a statement in reference to the obtaining by the city from the County Court of a deed |