1880-01-28-New York Tribune-A Mormon Priest On The Mormons

The New York Tribune, 28 Jan 1880, p. 1, c. 7

A MORMON PRIEST OF THE MORMONS

An address upon "Mormons and Mormonism" was delivered at Science Hall last evening by Joseph J. Hawkini, an Englishman, who was a member of the Mormon community from 1866 until last year. Mr. Hawkini has held the office of high priest among the Mormons, and was a Danite. He was driven from Utah because he refused to continue his connection with the Danites, and is now working in the interests of the people of Utah who do not desire that the Territory shall he made into a State. In part he said:

If Utah is made into a State the plan will be to drive out all outsiders by means of over-taxation. This is the great desire of the Mormons, for then they will have a Mormon Legislature, Mormon judges, and Mormon rule generally. They favor a Democrat for President, because they believe that more quickly through that party they can obtain control. They are rapidly getting the Indians under their control, for their belief is that the Indian is in the future to fight their battles for them. Already their influence is widely extended over several tribes. Besides this, the Mormons are purchasing arms and ammunition continually. This is done through the instructions of their bishops. They have now plenty of firearms. The Mormons have a population of 130,000, and they can muster a force of 25,000 able-bodied men. Salt Lake City is divided into wards, over each of which are placed two teachers, or chiefs. Each ward contains what is called a squad, which numbers 125 men, well drilled and armed. Every man, woman and child is required to pay to the Mormon Government one-tenth of his or her earnings. An oath among the Mormons is not regarded as binding unless it is taken before a priest. They regard a judge as having no authority to administer an oath, and thus they have no regard for an oath taken in court. There has been plenty of evidence for conviction in murder trials where the accused persons have been acquitted. There are murderers today walking about the streets of Salt Lake City, who are known to be such, yet no one dares to accuse or arrest them.