New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-29
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

The House resumed the consideration Of the bill re-
ported from the Committee Judiciary, suppressing
polygamy in the Territories Of the United States.
Mr. BRANCH Dem, n. Cit will be observed
that the bill reported from the Judiciary Com nittee
contains two sections each of which has two distinct
objects in view. The first section proposes 70 mske
poygamy criminal Ofense throughout all the Terrific
rice the United States and the second proposes to dis
approve and anDu certain scs Of the Territory OF Utah
sane iOpDg and upholding polygamy. The amend
ment propose, Sir is to strike out so much Of the bill
of the Committee as proposes to render polygamy
criminal in all the Territories OF the United States and
10 retain go much of it disspproyes and annus ell
lave ssnctiopipg aud permitting polygamJ. We have
a right to disapproye and annul these laws OF Utsh
because that right has been expressly reserved
in the law organizing that Territory. l have
no difficulty whatever in voting for any bill 10
disappiove and annul those lave. There is moth
ing in such an act viOlatiye OF the rights Of
Utah, of any great principle in reference to the
government OF the Territories. The question as to
whether shall pass a general law rendering eriml-
nal this practice in all the Territories Of the Union
brings up different class of considerations altogether.
L will suggest to my friends on the Democratic
ide of the House, Sir, that If we can render polygamy
criminal, then ALEC render criminal that other
twin relic of bsrbarsm-Slavery, it is called in the
Black Republican platform OF 1856. l therefore
cannot vote Tor any provision that shall make q
general law in regard to polygamy applicable TO all
the Territories of Tire Union and feel the less hes-
tatiOn in pursuing this course because we ara not
without a remedy against poygamy, which Is COM
plete and efficient than would be law OF Con-
gress declaring il criminal. There modes by
which reach this pracuce-a practice well de-
clared by the Committee 10 be condemned W tae
public sentiment and the legislation of the whole
civilized world. One mode s by tot ally repeating
the Territorial Government OF Utah. la case We adeps
that mode, two courses would still be open Tor Us 10
carving out that policy We could either attach Utah
to the adjacent Territories could put Utah under
the general law for the government of the citizens OF
the unoc ,upied Territories Of the Union. object to
the latter course, because then the Territories are
brought before Congress for all their local rules and
regulations, and hence only bring upon additional
trouble and consumption Of time. The other course,
Of attaching them 10 adjacent Territories, Is opea 70
grave and serious difficulties. There is no IermoV
Wing adjacent 10 them which they can be attaehedw
that they would not be able by their superior numbers
to control end mold according to their own views.
Mr. CLARK Dem, Mo- said that the COMMITTEES
Oh Territories have that subject under consae.s
tion and that they thought there were Territories
around Utah of sufficient strength to control the Ponl
cal as well as the NOR action of thairerrtoy ID 'ns
law making power. Inc subject was now under t
yestigatiOn to the proprety of blotting oui 80
Territory, and thus destroying this evil and pusIs
end other enormities perpetrated by thst peVP'
upon citizens OF this country. 49,,
Mr. BRANCH-With all Difference to the opinion o.
nv friend | am still of the opinion Sir that II ="
possible in the nature Of things, THAI any Oh ou L
settled Territories adjacent to the Territory OF ~
can AZ this time have sufficient population 70 eoni
ana
because che e State. and she would refuse a.,
has right under the Constitution, TO ".uss Tar.
The only course would be 10 attach them 70 sV" Far,
rory al present organized, or 10 Organize lam.
roTy with a view 10 control and absorb tnen.
therefore obliged TO entirely discard al con.ss with
Of repeating the Territorial Government OF otsa,
a view TO controlling the Mormons BY oVIs a,
citizens of the organized Territories OF the oH"A'
attaching them to adjacent Territories. ~,
Mr.. TAYLOR DEM, LAS member me
Judiciary Committee, l wish the indulgence rom.
House TO say that when this bill was before Iog
mittee on the Judiciary was confined TO my 49,
and not able 10 be present. i am opposed 10 'ns
ture of the bill. 1 think we have no power 70 Ps an
criminal law to apply within the Territory Oh am IN
apy organized Territory of the United states Ia "a
favor of the adoption Of any measure caieuis -, he
eAtirpate the evil and therefore cheerfuiy ~ Nah
amendment proposed by the gentleman irO"
Carolina. -, hoxn tn
MIR. BRANCH proceeded have thus shown nov u,hird
two mans proposed 10 get rid of the evil. lhe "a
plan is that proposed by my amendment 70 snna,
dsapproye of the acts passed already oy San Is0s-
ing polygamy legal and 20 coutrol It's iu'u'S; ,msas
laton by taking into our own hands the aPP rew
of the w-makirg power. This Is no rnasi
policy in reference 10 the Territories OF the ma
States The earliest inetance Of Territorial y"y,'shsI
ment We have in history Is that Vnoth-
by the Ordinance Of ES for the Territories thar,
west of the Ohio. According to tina, OrduA~i, ths
were two stages Of Territorial Government iia DE
frst stage the Legislative power was nsss Hs.xsr
Government and Judges Of the Territory Wn.Leor.aad
Territory had attained population OF hro '.Snes Of
voters. they were authorized H. elect one otasi,ss
their Legislature but in No insnae,, IN al W.
Territories fthe Union, was IN incipism -, TIA
Government ever allowed to elect both brsnc''''