1890-06-19-New York Times-Bishop Cannons Denial

Bishop Cannon's Denial.

None of the Coming Mormon Proselytes Under Contract.

Col. Weber has received a letter from Bishop George Q.Cannon of the Mormon Church in regard to the reported intention of the immigration authorities to exclude Mormon proselytes from landing under the provisions of the contract labor law.

After giving a review of the history of Mormon immigration the Bishop denies that the Elders who go abroad hold out any glowing hopes concerning Utah to their converts. On the other hand, he says, the Elders have been instructed to tell the converts of the "afflicions and trials and persecutions that they must endure if they remain true to the religion they have espoused." In speaking of the Mormon immigrants who were expected yesterday on the steamship Wyoming of the Guion Line the Bishop says:

"I wish to state most emphatically that the Church as a Church has not contributed one dollar toward bringing these immigrants. I can with equal emphasis state that not one of them as far as I know is under any contract of any character that would prevent him under the law as an immigrant from entering the United States. Those who have not been able to come with their own means have been assisted by friends and relatives, and for no improper purpose. There are persons in Utah who have friends and relatives in Europe whom they are anxious to have join them in Utah, for it is a doctrine of the Church to which they belong that we are living in the last days, and that judgment and calamities are to be speedily poured out upon the earth unless the people repent and turn unto the Lord, and therefore they should gather together to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord, which they believe is not far distant. They esteem it as a command from God that they should gather and dwell together and they look upon the land of America as Zion. Having this belief, it requires no teachings of the missionaries to inspire them with a desire to emigrate."