| 123 of his Senate Message of December 17,1844, reads as follows:-
I see very strong indications on the part of both Houses, to make an entire repeal of all these charters. I do not see how ten or twelve thousand people can well do in a city without some chartered privileges. I would advise that all the obnoxious parts of these charters should be repealed, and an ample provision made against any future abuses of power, thus leaving all the really useful parts of their city charter and placing them upon grounds of some equality with other citizens. This is republican and cannot be denied without injustice. I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
"SPRINGFIELD, December, 17, 1844. THOMAS FORD."
The measure was strenuously opposed by Almon W. Babbitt, a Mormon, then in the legislature from Hancock County, and Jacob B. Backenstos, known as a "Jack Mormon," because of his friendship for the Mormons. The measure however passed the House on January 21, 1845, by a vote of 76 yeas to 36 nays, and subsequently passed the Senate by a large majority.
At the April General Conference for 1845 the general officers came up again to be passed upon, and as it is important in this period to know just how some men stood, we insert this part of the minutes:-
"President Brigham Young then arose and said he would now present the first item of business, which would be to present the authorities of the church for the approval or disapproval of the conference. He also said he wanted to know if the saints are satisfied that Joseph Smith lived and died as a prophet, seer, and revelator to this church; whereupon Elder Phelps moved that we accept the labors of Joseph Smith as a prophet, seer, and revelator to the nineteenth century; and that we are satisfied that he lived according to his profession and died a martyr to the truth. Carried unanimously.
"Elder Phelps moved that we accept the labors of Hyrum Smith, believing that he lived according to his profession and died a martyr to the truth. Carried unanimously.
(page 123) |
