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Show THE COMMISSION. The Washington correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle telegraphed to that journal on the 1st inst. (instant) the following as a result of an interview with Delegate Geo. (George Q. Cannon): The Utah Commission provided for in the Anti-Polygamy bill will be appointed by the President some time in April. The Commission will set out soon after its organization in this city. It is now estimated that six months will be required for the Commission to perform its work and perfect the machinery for the government of the Territory. It is evident from the spirit already indicated among the "Mormons" here that they intend to make a stubborn passive resistance. Mr. Cannon said, when asked what he thought would be the policy of his people, that he could only speak for himself, as he had not been in communication with them. He said there would be no resistance. The policy of the "Mormons" would be to await the proceedings of the Government and defend themselves in the courts as they can. They will not give the slightest opportunity for any one to charge them with being rebellious. He says there will be great suffering in Utah, this summer, on account of this persecution as he calls it. Touching his own individual case, Mr. Cannon said: "My legal wife has recently died. I have three others. They, under this law, will have to be separated from me. I have twenty-one children. I have established a school for their education. This act will strive to make them illegitimate, and prevent me from going on as I have in the past. "Will you in obedience to this law, sunder your relations with your existing families?" "It is hard for me to say what I will do. I know there are men in Utah who would rather die than give up those who are dependent upon them." Mr. Cannon said he had quite a number of conversations with Judge Edmunds who had prepared the anti-polygamy bill. He had asked Mr. Edmunds why they did not incorporate a bill for the punishment of adultery as well as for the punishment of bigamy or polygamy, as the case may be. He said to Mr. Edmunds, "Under your bill I cannot have my wives legitimately, but if I see fit to keep them illegitimately, as mistresses, your bill does not punish them." In reply Mr. Cannon represented Judge Edmunds as saying that Congress was not in reality, "seeking so much to put down polygamy as to break down the "Mormon" system of theocracy, which he thought, was entirely in conflict with the institutions of this country, and much more dangerous to the people than polygamy. Mr. Cannon says what he fears is not the honest enforcement of the act. He says there are a number of reckless people in Utah who are anxious to get hold of the "Mormon" property and to overturn their power, and he thinks, in many cases trumped up charges will be preferred against innocent "Mormons" and that his people as a class will be prescribed. A great deal depends, however, upon the position of the President in this matter. If he is disposed to be conservative and not push matters too harshly, the "Mormons" will try to get along, but if harsh and severe measures there are plenty of members of the Church who are willing to become martyrs for its cause and sacrifice their lives, if necessary, in its defense. Mr. Cannon was asked if the "Mormons" under any circumstances would give up Utah Territory and move into the regions of the southwest, as some of them have at times threatened in case of persecution. He said no, that the "Mormons" would not move. They were now in the best situation possible and would remain where they are to the end. |