The “Run-Away Officials”
Three of these officials came to Utah filled with prejudice, and one, at least (Judge Brocchus), hoped that he might be elected to office and represent the territory in Congress. He had no desire to stay in the West. Together with Chief Justice Brandebury and Secretary Harris, he determined to leave again for the East, and preparations were made toward that end. These men complained of the smallness of their salaries, and Governor Young and other citizens petitioned Washington in their behalf. Harris declared “that he had private instructions designed for no eye but his own, to watch every movement and not pay out any funds unless the same should be strictly legal, and according to his own judgment.” When he decided to return to the East he also determined to take with him the funds which he had brought for territorial purposes. An attempt was made to prevent this action by legislative enactment, but he was sustained by the two judges, and carried the funds back to St. Louis, where he deposited them with the assistant treasurer of the United States. It was in September, 1851, when these officials left the territory.
Their Report to Washington
The three run-away officials reported in Washington that they were compelled to leave Utah on account of the lawless acts and seditious tendencies of Brigham Young and the majority of the residents. [3 ] They accused Governor Young with a waste of public funds— which they had refused to let him have—and referred to the existence of “polygamy” among the “Mormons.”
Governor Young’s Defense
Anticipating the accusations of these officials, because of threats made before their departure, Governor Young wrote to President Fillmore, September 29, 1851, setting forth his own course and the true condition in the territory. This letter was augmented by others from Jedediah M. Grant, mayor of Salt Lake City, who was then in the East, and Col. Thomas L. Kane.[4] Daniel Webster, secretary of state, ordered these officials to return to their posts or resign; so resign they did.
Their Places Filled
The places of these men were later filled. Lazarus H. Reed, of New York, was appointed chief justice for Utah; Leonidas Shaver, associate justice, and Benjamin G. Ferris, secretary. Secretary Ferris did not remain in the territory very long, but the two justices were respected by the people who held them in high esteem.
The Deseret Evening News
In each of the settlements of the Latter-day Saints, before coming to Utah, they had endeavored to publish magazines and periodicals for the benefit of the Saints. In keeping with this custom a small wrought-iron Ramage handpress, was purchased in Philadelphia and brought across the plains by one of the early companies. In 1850, this press was put to use, and the first newspaper published in the Rocky Mountains made its appearance in Salt Lake City. This was the Deseret News, the first number of which was published June 15, 1850, with President Willard Richards as editor. It was a small quarto, issued weekly, and has since grown into one of the influential daily papers in the inter-mountain country.