Show EQUAL TREATMENT thim THE spring springing Rg of the question of the applicability of the tb edmunds eEdmunds law and the provisions of the later supplemental act to a number of other places besides utah and some other people besides mormons cormons Mor mons continues to excite considerable comment some someer of the leading journals are exhibiting exhibition exhibit in 9 a broad grin when they venture to touch the subject should the law be enforced in all sections of the country over which the united states have exclusive jurisdiction it will be found to the disgust of ef a good many people that legislation of that kind la it doully edged and can cut in more than one direction if the crusade prosecution tactics continue to be applied enforcing the law against one class of people only and in but one region of country there should be an active and vigo vigorous rouil protest against this unjust discrimination now tuat the question quellion of more extended applicability has been sprung it should not be allowed to slumber so long as the powers that be continue to break bleik into the principle of equality of all citizens alike before the law it has been the rule here under crusade legal tactic sto be very r strenuous to set up some anti mormon theory regarding the intention of the lel legislature which passed we the laws ad and d to push prosecution in that line this was for instances instance in ia favorite theme for some time in relation to the purpose of the provision of the edmunds law regarding cohabitation it R was held that its object was to break up the polygamous relation while that was doubtless an elemena element of the intent there is no warrant for the exclusive application of the law in that direction its terms are strictly general the off offense ense as defined by tile the statute is to cohabit with more than one woman nothing whatever is stated in relation to a form of mar marriage existing between the parties it will sot not be denied a man way may cohabit with more than one woman without any marital ceremony having been performed and in such cases calms the law is as applicable as in instances where there had been some rite of th that at nature it is against the theory of the institutions of our government to doieg leg mate ignate against a class claas unequally and congress has no right to do so consequently even the provision in relation to unlawful fal cohabitation was as applicable to non k cormons mormons living in that relational ionas to mormons cormons Mor mons with regard to the later law the edmunds tucker act there does not appear to be any possible escape from the conclusion that its provisions specially aimed at sexual crimes are applicable to non cormons mormons Mor mons in this regard there must he no one sided line of prosecution the late springing of the question of the extended applicability ol of the provisions of the th edmunds law and its supplementary enactment is but the initiatory indication of the danger of one sided aided or r class legislation one community or people cannot be improperly or unconstitutionally treated others being liable to be drawn into the vortex whatever applies in this regard to criminal matters does so BO equally in reference to the rights of property there are in this connection some daug dangerous erous provisions in the edmunds tucker ace any extreme steps taken under them would imperil the proprietary prie tary rights of other religious communities As the question upon the criminal features ot of the legislation has been sprung in the district of columbia so in certain contingencies cies would woula questions doubtless arise regarding sg the rights of property Y this latter phase of the special anti ant 1 mormon legislation is oue one of particular P ar interest to the catholics this community demand that t they i 1 ey be regarded and treated with equa equality 1 i as other citizens before the law tz it they continue to receive unfair treatment they will continue to protest against the iD injustice justice and take all possible and legitimate steps step s to fremed remedy IF the wrong until evenhanded even handed justice is vindicated and established |