r history that is not marred by
a recital of some foul deed. The whole history of the Mormon Church
abounds in illustrations of the selfishness, deceit, and lawlessness
of its leaders and members. Founded in fraud, built up by the most
audacious deception, this organization has been so notoriously
corrupt and immoral in its practices, teachings, and tendencies as
to justify the Government in assuming absolute control of the
Territory and in giving the Church or its followers no voice in
the administration of public affairs. The progress of Mormonism
to its present strength and power has been attended by a continual
series of murders, robberies, and outrages of every description;
but there is one dark spot in its disgraceful record that can never
be effaced, one crime so heinous that the blood of the betrayed
victims still calls aloud for vengeance."

I introduced a bill on the subject, in which I provided for the
appointment of a legislative council by the President, this council
to have the same legislative power as the legislative assembly of
a Territory. I distrusted the local Legislature because it was
dominated by men high up in the Mormon Church.

During this Congress I pushed the bill as best I could, but was
never able to secure its passage. Laws were passed on the subject,
and the Mormon question is practically now a thing of the past.

Since that time conditions in Utah and in the Mormon Church have
changed greatly. The Prophets received a new revelation declaring
polygamy unlawful, and I believe that the practice has ceased. As
a matter of fact, Judge Zane, the Territorial Judge of Utah, did
more to stamp it out than any other one man. He sentenced those
guilty of the practice to terms in the penitentiary, and announced
that he would continue to do so until they reformed. I do not
think that the Church or the Mormon people deserve to-day the severe
criticism they merited twenty-five years ago.

CHAPTER XVI
CLEVELAND'S FIRST TERM
1884 to 1887

The Republican Convention of 1884 was held at Chicago. The names
of Joseph R. Hawley, John A. Logan, Chester A. Arthur, John Sherman,
George F. Edmunds, and James G. Blaine were presented as candidates
for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
Blaine and Logan finally were the nominees, neither of them having
much of a contest to secure the nomination for President and Vice-
President respectively.

The Democratic Convention