Commercial herald and market review

              THE LAWS IN UTAH.
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Soclose and important are the relations sub- sisting between California and Utah that it be- comes necessary to be posted in reference to the operations of the laws in that rebellious Terri- tory. Recently, Chief Justice McKean, of the United States Third District Court in Utah, was compelled to dismiss the Grand and Petit Ju- rors summoned by the United States Marshal, because the Legislative Assembly of Utah re- fused to pay over the per diem allowance pro- vided by the United States, and the proper offi- cer of the court had no funds to pay their board. It seems that, as the law now stands, the ex- penses of the Legislative Assembly, and the per diem allowance of its members, are paid by the United States Treasury, and the Assembly, in turn, is to provide funds to pay the per diem al- lowance of jurors, and the expenses of the United States Courts, while transacting judicial business in the Territory. But the High- Priest- hood, which control the Assembly, refused to permit- that body to pay the expenses of the United States Courts, unless they are allowed to control the courts. This, of course, Judge McKean will not tolerate for a moment. The High- Priesthood, acting through their agents, rassed an ordinance requiring the ballots at elections to be numbered, and the same num- bers to be written on the poll- list opposite the names of those who voted the ballots. In this manner it is known just how each person voted, and a record is kept of the facts. None but the candidates of the High- Priesthood can be elect- ed to the Assembly, and the presiding officers ot. V'oth hgases are always high functionaries in the Mormon Church abomination. The As- sembly has created a Marshal for the Territory, and a Prosecuting Attorney, who are pitted against the United States Marshal and Attor- ney, and who summon Grand and Petit Jurors, and take charge of legal proceedings before those juries. The United States District and Supreme Courts of the Territory have decided that the Mormon officers cannot be recognized by those tribunals, and that the United States Attorney, and Marshal, appointed by the Pres- ident and confirmed by the Senate, are the only officers to be recognized by the United States Courts. This is obstinately contested by the High- Priesthood, who contend that there is not in the Federal Constitution the " dotting of an i, nor the crossing of a t, giving any Federal of- ficial any right to be in this Territory. Con- gress had no right to pass any Act to organize this Territory, and the Organic Act is a relic of colonial barbarism. The Federal officials are usurpers, and have no business here." Such was the language of a High- Priest, addressed to thousands of hearers. Judge McKean remark- ed to the Grand and Petit Jurors as follows:
" Gentlemen of the Grand and Petit Juries: I am a Federal official in Utah; I apologize to nobody for being here; I shall stay so long as I choose, or so long as the Government at Wash- ington shall choose to leave me here; and I will venture the prediction that the day is not far in the future, when the disloyal High- Priesthood of the so- called ' Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints,' shall bow to and obey the laws that are elsewhere respected, or else those laws will grind them to powder.
'' Gentlemen, one of the consequences of the decisions above referred to of the United States Courts in Utah is, that already several men in high positions in the so- called ' Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints' have been indict- ed for high crimes, some of them for murder. Another consequence is, that enterprising men in large numbers, and capitalists of large wealth, have come into the Territory to embark in busi- ness pursuits, believing that even- handed jus- tice would now be done them. It is an impor- tant fact, that while for about twenty years there has been a considerable population in this Territory, not only has not the great mineral wealth of Utah been developed, but the fact of its existence has, until recently, been concealed from the world outside of Utah. Now, this mineral wealth is just beginning to be devel- oped. And here, as everywhere among great business enterprises, there is much resort to the courts for the adjustment of conflicting in- terests. There are now on the docket of this court, awaiting trial, cases involving millions of dollars.
" And now, gentlemen, the Higli- Priesthood of the so- called ' Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter- day Saints ' demand the right to select and summon the Grand and Petit Jurors, who are to try all criminal and civil Territorial cases in this court; and demand that officers selected by them shall take charge of all such business in this court. And, gentlemen, because this court refuses to surrender itself into their hands, they refuse to pay your just allowance or to defray any of the expenses of this court. It is not just that you should be kept here at your own charges, and I will not keep you. But, gentle- men, do not misunderstand me. There is to be no surrender to unwarrantable exactions. The Government of the United States is not ac- customed to being thwarted; and while those who represent it in Utah may be hindered, they will not be defeated. Let it not be doubted that, after a pause in the path of duty, they will again resume their line of march with re- newed energy. Gentlemen of the Grand and Petit Juries, I thank you for your attendance, but I will not detain you. You are adjourned sine die."
Here we have a statement of appalling facts from the bench of a United States court— a statement that cannot be ignored, nor passed over without eliciting strong comment. The time has come when the people of these United States will insist that the laws shall be enforced in Utah as well as in other Territories and States. To trifle longer with the Mormon scum is to do foul injustice to the great body of the people. Let them stick to their abominations if they will, but let us enforce the laws.