Poland Act Wikipedia – The Poland Act (18 Stat. 253) of 1874 was an act of the United States Congress which sought to facilitate prosecutions under the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act by eliminating the control members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) exerted over the justice system of Utah Territory. Sponsored by Senator Luke P. Poland of Vermont, the Act redefined the jurisdiction of Utah courts by giving the United States district courts exclusive jurisdiction in Utah Territory over all civil and criminal cases. The Act also eliminated the territorial marshal and attorney, giving their duties to a U.S. Marshal and a U.S. Attorney. The Act also altered petit and grand jury empaneling rules to keep polygamists off juries. By removing Latter-day Saints from positions of authority in the Utah justice system, the Act was intended to allow for successful prosecutions of Mormon polygamists.
Wikipedia – Samuel B Axtell:
As a prominent western Democrat, he was tapped by President Ulysses Grant to be the Governor of the Utah Territory in 1874. Within the year, he was appointed to the slightly more prestigious post of Governor of the New Mexico Territory on July 30, 1875.
Daily Alta California, 6 February 1875
Gov. Axtell has given a certificate of election to Geo Q. Cannon. Ex-Governor Woods had withheld it because no proofs can be produced of his citizenship, and because of reported frauds in the late election.
Sentinel, 13 February 1875
Axtell, the new Governor of Utah, is appointing to office polygamists heretofore rejected by bis predecessors, Governor Woods and Acting Governor Black. The Gentiles, both Democrats and Republicans, are indignant at the course of Axtell, as bring inimicable to their best interests.
Marysville Daily Appeal, 17 February 1875
The Amador Ledger thinks it probable that Governor Axtell will succeed Brigham Young. Axtell as a Mormon leader and head of the Church of Latter-day Saints, would be in his proper element and would make a worthy successor to the Mormon Chief. Axtell was well dubbed at an early day as “Oily Gammon,” and we concur with the Ledger.
Daily Alta California, 4 March 1875
Governor Axtell admits, in conversation, that he has forfeited the respect of the President, and his removal is now confidently expected. He repudiates the Republican party and openly denounces Grant’s Administration as venal and corrupt.
5 March 1875
— Is Axtell insane ? Recent reports from Salt Lake would indicate that he is.
Sacramento Daily Union, 9 March 1875
Salt Lake, March 8th. There have been published in this city for the last thirty days incessant attacks upon Governor Axtell, the newly appointed Governor, who has been in the Territory about that length of time. Also charges have been tele-graphed to the press in regard to him, which he asserts are false in every particular. It is not believed there is any dissatisfaction among the public with regard to his course.
Daily Alta California, 15 March 1875 — “His Axtellency ” is what the Salt Lake Tribune calls Governor Axtell, of Utah.
Daily Alta California, 20 March 1875 – A petition is in circulation in Salt Lake City asking President Grant to remove Axtell and reappoint Woods Governor of Utah.
Daily Alta California, 20 March 1875
The “Tribune**” Opinion of Governor Axtell.
Salt Lake, March 19th.— The Tribune, to-day, in a personal notice of Governor Axtell, charges him with calumniating a number of lawyers practicing in this city, and with falsely asserting the editors of the Tribune published the substance of that one of a private conversation with Axtell, and accuses him of being corrupt, incapable and dishonest. In conclusion, the Tribune says : “Samuel B. Axtell is a man utterly destitute of valor, truth, or personal honor.”
Mariposa Gazette, 27 March 1875
By some strange political metamorphosis S. B. Axtell, formerly Democratic member of Congress from California, has turned up a Republican, and in reward doubtless of his political tergiversation, has been made Governor of the Territory of Utah. President Grant, having tried the army, the judiciary and the Methodist Church as a means to pull down polygamy and Mormonism, sends S. B. Axtell, and Axtell embraces Mormonism and takes to himself all the wives in the Territory before he has been a month in his new office. The Salt Lake Tribune charges the new Governor with all sorts of Demagogueism to conciliate the Mormon authorities. Axtell was as good a Democrat here as he is now a Mormon in Utah. As soon as Axtell lost office he left California and never returned to the State. If the people of Utah can get him out of office they will lose a citizen.—S. F.Chronicle.
Daily Alta California, 18 March 1875
The removal of Judge McKean from the bench in Utah, following so soon after that of Governor Wood, may be considered an indication that the anti-Mormon party, of which these two were considered the leaders, overdid the business. The country was kept in continual agitation by sensational proceedings and sensational reports. A little moderation and discretion might have served the cause of public justice more effectually. Many of the Gentiles who lived in Utah or spent a little time there were disposed to side with the Mormons, not out of sympathy with their doctrines, but on account of the extreme measures proposed by their enemies. We remember to have heard of only one case taken up on appeal from Judge McKean’s Court to Washington, and in that the United States Supreme Court rendered a decision that was far from flattering to him. He has quarreled with George C. Bates, S. B. Axtell and George E. Whitney, gentlemen who are well and favorably known in San Francisco, and though all may be wrong, yet there is a presumption that there must be some blame on the other side.
Los Angeles Herald, Volume 3, Number 145, 18 March 1875
The fight against Governor Axtell of Utah originated and has been promoted by ex-Governor Woods, in the hope of being reinstated. He is also trying to get the Superintendency of the San Francisco Mint, or some foreign Mission, but be is regarded as an impecunious place-hunter, with no chance of success.
Sacramento Daily Union, 27 March 1875
Utah Matters. The President recently appointed Mr. Axtell Governor of Utah. Before he reached his station the ring who have heretofore controlled matters in that Territory, and whose organ is a sheet called the Tribune, opened batteries of abuse against him, their object being to get Woods, as impecunious adventurer, always itching for office, reappointed. The Constitution of the United States declares that each House of Congress shall be the judge of the qualifications of its own members. General Q. Cannon, at the last delegate election in Utah, had a large majority of votes. The Governor was not the judge of his qualifications, and his duty was to certify only who had a majority of votes. This Axtell did, according to the statute in such case made and provided, a short time after he arrived, and another bowl was raised. He appointed one Mormon, out of a dozen appointments, a Notary, when lo! howl the third. Meanwhile Judge McKean had ruled that a woman of mature years, with children, marrying according to Mormon practice, with her eyes wide open, Brigham Young, whom she knew to be much married before, was entitled to sue for divorce and to have $3,000 lawyer’s fees and $500 a month alimony during litigation. The lawyers of the whole country began talking about such strange proceedings, and it began to excite comments and nods at Salt Lake, The Judge got mad, and, to show that he was above criticism, tyrannically excluded a lawyer Irom the bar who had many cases in Court, and entered it all up in an order envenomed as any Jeffries ever attempted at his famous assizes, and much less dignified. This last proceeding broke the camel’s back, and the President, who has long been wearied with his tyranny and injustice, promptly removed him. It is rumored that other removals are to be made, until a thorough renovation is effected. It is to be hoped that this will be so, and will not be stopped until the ring that has been seeking a Mormon war in the hopes of dividing Mormon property is wholly broken up. The interests of California are for peace in Utah. Our trade with the Territory is large and growing. A civil war there would result in the interuption of travel, and unquestionably in the devastation of the Territory. Mormanism is as rapidly expiring as its enemies will lei it. The constant influx of the better class of Gentiles is having a powerful effect, the affluence of the church grows weaker every year, and the whole thing will probably collapse with Brigham’s death.
Daily Alta California, 9 June 1875 – Axtell Offered the Governorship of New Mexico.
Salt Lake City, June 8th.— Reliable information has been received by private parties that Governor Axtell has been offered the Governorship of New Mexico, as his course in Utah has not given satisfaction to the Government
Daily Alta California, 10 June 1875 – Satisfaction at Axtell’s Removal— Salt Lake, June 9th – The removal of Governor Axtell causes rejoicing among Gentiles throughout the Territory. The Tribune says big incumbency during the next session of the Legislature had been looked forward to with general apprehension, and this action of the President restores confidence advancing the interests of the Territory. Axtell has asked until July 1st before the change is made.
Sacramento Daily Union, 5 February 1884
In the House:
Springer sent to the Clerk’s desk a memo-
rial of Richard W. Webb, of New Mexico,
presenting charges against Chief Justice
Samuel B. Axtell, of the Supreme Court of
New Mexico, and a resolution directing the
Committee on Judiciary to investigate and report.