Show AN irresistible ARGUMENT THE argument made by hon james 0 broadhead before the house judiciary committee against the edmunds confiscation bill is given to our readers today in full it is a clear and cogent defense of the rights of property the established doctrine of charitable uses and the power of the courts instead of the logi legislature slature to settle the question involved in the mormon church case we do not believe the argument can be answered unless it be by sophistry misstatement of facts and complete perverseness of legal principles the bill introduced by senator edmunds is a bold attempt to take from the judiciary the adjudication of a cause which no other power can lawfully determine and decide it by legislative act it is to be hoped and believed that the house will refuse to tio join the senate in this attempt to exercise unconstitutional authority the pivotal point of the learned gentleman gent lemans Is argument however is the right of the unincorporated body of worshipers known know as the church of jesus christ of latter day Sal satota tits to the use of the personal property donated to it when ancor borated po rated providing that tt it be devoted to purposes that have not been declared unlawful this is set forth and maintained in a manner that leaves his conclusions legally indisputable pu table and it must be clear to every reasonable mind that it if the unincorporated association may hold and use real estate for religious purposes it may also hold and use the personal property donated for religious and chasi charitable table purposes especially if they are lawful and as the court has conceded conee dod the right of the association to the temple block it cannot consistently deny the right of the church to its own Pers personal onil property no matter on what muse excuse it may be objected to the colloquy between the learned counsel and members of the committee show both the interest they took in the subject and their respect for his legal standing ability and experience peri ence we look for good results |