Show THE IDAHO DECISION decision of judge berry on ion the mandamus case cage in idaho will prove a great disappointment to tte supporters ot of religious liberty and admirers of judicial independence it must be evident to everybody that the gist of the objection to mormon voting under the idaho statute is their alleged belief in a certain doctrine the test oath requires the voter to swear that he be is not a member of an organization that practices p r a polygamy teaches advises and counsels its members to practice plural or celestial marriage as a duty arising from their membership it was shown in evidence that pol ya amy that is marrying more wives than r one ne is not practised practiced in idaho at all and that during the last two years the doctrine of plural marriage has not bean taught by any of the mormons cormons Mor mons in idaho also teat it has never been required asa duty arising from peem membership ber ship 11 which is proven by the fact that less than one per cent of the mormon population in idaho have been in the practice of plural marriage marria marri aee eff the other members of the church never having engaged in its practice the court was bound of course to respect the ahe deci ion of the supreme court of the territory orv in regard to the constitutionality of the law but that was not t tee e que question a before the court the q question at on was as to whether a r registrar was bound to register an applicant who was ready to take the oath required by the law the proposition was and the conclusion clear to any one capable of understanding a logical and legal proposition what the mormon church outside of idaho has done or not done has nothing to do with the demand for a mandamus man damns to require an administrative istra tive officer to perform his sworn duty instead of setting setti ng himself up u I 1 p as a s a judicial officer A judge has no no ri right g h t to expect any church to take action upon one of its doctrines nor any right to find fault with a church for not taking action according to izart anticipations it itis Is easa to pee that the decision turned on the question of BACKBONE there are but few men who are brave enough to stand tor for the right when it is contrary t to tb b a very public sentiment the administration of the law when it affects mormons cormons Mor mons is expected to be different to insl ad ministration in those portions of the united states where mormons cormons Mor mons have no influence it Is a lamentable thing but a tact act that is palpable however the end is not yet we advise our friends in the north to still struggle for their rights by every legitimate method and aid never cease until they are legally delivered from the shameful bondage that has baeli imposed upon them |