OCR Text |
Show IT'S A LOTIIER. The Mormon Churcli Property- Furnishes Fur-nishes a Problem. When the supreme court at its last term unlield the constitutionality of the Euuiunds law, by which the property prop-erty of the late corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as the Mor mon church, was escheated to the United States, it found itself in a fcsoinewh.M em harassing position. The doctrine of the escheat was quite unknown un-known in this country and no purpose considered laudable a.id proper of a similar nature to that for which, the property was formerly used was known to which the property could be devoted. de-voted. The court therefore instead of sending its decree down witneld it a strong intimation being conveyed of the desire of the court that congress should by law direct the disposition to be made of the property. Congress having failed to adopt the suggestion, the court through Justice liradlev to-day made its hnal order in the case and modified in some respect the decree it entered at the last term. The modification made recites that the Mormon corporation having been dissolved, there does not now exist any trusts or purposes withm the objects ob-jects and purposes for which the personal per-sonal property was originally acquired for which anv part of the personal uroperty could be used or dedicated that are not in whole or in part op- posed to public policy and good morals. ! and that furthermore that there does not exist an person or corporation legally eutitled to any of the personalty person-alty as successors of the late church. The decree then says that the personal per-sonal property having devolved to the United States it should be devoted to sucli charitable uses as are lawful in character, as may most ueaiiy correspond corres-pond to its former destiny, unless in the meantime congress shall otherwise direct or a master shall report some scheme, which shall meet the approval of the court, for the disposition of the property. The decree finally directs that the property and ail accumulations accumu-lations remain in the custody of the receiver until otherwise ordered, and that out of it the costs of the suit and rece'vership be paid. The Utah supreme su-preme court is directed to take the necessary proceedings. |