Show THE GANNON CASE Correspondence of Particular Interest In-terest to Republicans BISHOP STEVENS ON CANNON Frantic 8inue5 but Ho Hade a Clean Breast of It All and Asked to Be Forgiven S The following correspondence in the shape of circular letters is being distributed distrib-uted broadcast through the southern portion por-tion of the territory and i is fair to pre sutno that hundreds of the documents have been sent out The correspondenco needs no comment I Bishop SAT LAKE Ctrr Utah October 201892 On learning that certain influential persons have in public and private attacked the moral character of Brother Frank J Cannon the Republican Re-publican candidate for delegate to congress for the purpose of defeating his election I took occasion to communicate with Bishop Stevens of Ogden in regard to the matter mat-ter Be sent mo the following reply which I send you for your information with tne request that you 1 the Interest of fairness give it proper publicity leaving the people to judge as to the worthiness of Brother Cannon be Utahs representative in the Congress of the United States Yours for the r ht JOSEPH F SMITH THE 6TEVENS LETTER President Joseph F Smith DEAR BROTHER answer to questions regarding re-garding the standing of Frank J Cannon will say that some yjars ago a charge was preferred against him the wording of which I do not now remembr but I do remember that we had to rely largely on his own confession t substantiate ate said charge His confession was all that we could ask he making a clean breast of it concerning his transgressions The decision de-cision rendered by the bishops court was that he confess his sins before the ward in public meeting and ask forgiveness which he did to the best of my recollection tho following Sunday and a more humble penitent peni-tent spirit I never witnessed In any person than that which was with him upon that occasion The people of the ward freely forgave him there being not one dissecting vote At this time I was not his bishop but was a counselor In the bishopric which tried his case I have been his bishop for four years past Durmg this time he has manifested upon many occasions his devotion the work of the Lord His timing i has been settled to our satisfaction each year his donations have been liberally paid t help tbe poor erecting meetinghouse meeting-house ward school etc in fact he has done more than his share in these directions when financially compared with others He has confessed con-fessed to me twice since being his bishop of his being guilty of taking too much strong drink and being intoxicated Upon these occasions he has shown unmistakably his respect for those who preside over him in the priesthood and volunteered the information concerning his transgressions I know for a long time he has been working hard to overcome his appetite appe-tite for strong drink and I fully believe that he has finally succeeded I will further say that 1 Brother Frank J Cannon should apply to me for a recommend to join any ward I would give him one certifying that he is in good standing and fellowship as I consider him to be worthy of such Signed THOMAS J STEVESS S Bishop Fifth Yard Ogden |