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Show JUSTICE SI Civ BAN AND THE MOKfllOAS. That there is a divided opinion among the Gentiles of Utah upon the policy of justice McKean, in his dealings deal-ings with the Mormon prisoners, is evident from the dispatches pent to attorney-general Williams at Washington Washing-ton by prominent Gentile citizens at Salt Lake, asserting their disapproval of the judge's decision in refusing to admit the prisoners to bail. Such a course, in disregard of the wishes of the highest legal official in (he nation, is unusual, and can only be justified by the most cogent reasons. Tho judge stated that there was good and sufficient suffi-cient cause for his procedure, but that the public interests required that it should not he made known. It is impossible im-possible to state, of course, what is in the judge's mind; but in those cases where tho liberty of the citizen is at stake, the public interests require that as a rule thero should be no judicial secrets. Otherwise there is a reversion to the Star Chamber system, and the liberty of the citizen might in many cases bo unjustly infringed. There may bo good reasons for the courso pursued by judge McKean, but as every person is presumed by law to be innocent uutil found guilty by a jury, unless there is somo further explanation, ex-planation, the public will give credence to tho statement already expressed in somo quarters, that the judge in his official capacity is not free from bias and prcjudico in these Mormon prosecutions.. prose-cutions.. F. Hidlctin. Certainly the judicial m:nd in Utah, if at all anxious, must now be entirely satisfied. A mass meeting has solemnly solemn-ly resolved that it ruled wisely in all the exciting quostions recently submitted submit-ted for its decision. Never was stronger nor more numerous supreme court assembled as-sembled never was tribunal organized and put in operation with greater expedition. ex-pedition. It would seem from these curious and interesting proceedings that justice in Utah is not only impecunious impe-cunious but much in need of popular endorsement. It cannot go on with its high tragedy for want of funds. There is also an evident lack of harmony between be-tween the court and the publio prosecutor. prose-cutor. It was only a few weeks ago (hat the new attorney, Mr. George C. Bates, appeared upon the scene with a great blowing of trumpets was going to discharge his duty in a manner that would call forth the plaudits of gods and men, and was ihen and there the central figure in the United States ol North America. Rut all of a sudden he seems to have lost confidence; has been back to Washington and is said to hive betrayed somebody, and is bc-yoiu1 bc-yoiu1 question fallen from his high estate es-tate m the opinion of his fellow-citizens What is the matter with him? -S. F. AUa. |
