The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-02-01
GOvERNOn DURKEE,s MESSAGE

GOVERNOR DURKEE,S MESSAGE
Governor Charles Durkee delivered his
annual Message to the Legislative Assem-
bly, of Utah, Jan. IS. The most remark
able feature of it is it's brevity. The
Governor abstsins from any suggestions
touching the relic" and the Mormon
press accordingly commend him and the
message. Governor Durkee is fully
aware of the constant and defiant vio-
lstion of the law Of Congress regarding
polygamy of the manner in which the
government is swindled by the local
statutes eIemPting church property; of
the election laws rendering selections of
officers in the Territory the merest
sham as an expression of the choice of
the people of the military organization
and power of Utah being wholly in the
hands of Brigham Young and inimical
10 the United States of the puissance of
the church in controlling every branch
OF the Territorial government. Legisla-
tive, Judicial and Executive, rendering
the authority of the general government
nugstory or at least secondary to that of
the church. Under these circumstances,
notorious and so fragrant in their chrsc-
ter. that bill, necessarily q statutory
straight jacket, for the unruly inmate.
Of the theOcratic asylum, has been intro
duced in Congress and its passage de-
rnAnded by the people of the United
States. We think that the Executive of
Utah would have been but doing his
duty as the representative of the gene
raj government 70 call attention to these
facts. urging . reform. and that he ooRld
have we'll sacrificed the sdulations Of
the Mormon press tor the consciousness
Of having performed a. imperative duty.
The ignoring of existing evils OF that
character by an Executive in . message
TO the Legislature, may be dictated by
controlling prudential ressons. but they
do not manifest themselves to those who
regard Utah Mormonism as . vitaliEed,
growing sin against God. the govern
ment and humanity. Regarding the
condition Of the, country he. speaks hope
fully. Regarding national finances he
faTers the currency contraction and says
the country has fully demonstrated its
capacity to cancel it's debts. As ssub-
ject of fcongrStulstion he announces that
Utah is entirely free from Indebtedness
condemns the working of Territorial
prisoners with ball and chain on the
highways, as calculated to deaden the
sensibilities, and defeat the principle end
of the reform of the prisoner,
but sustains the policy Of compelling
them TO labor within the wafls of their
place of confinement. q He recommends
action to give legal titles To real estate
owners. and advises the passage of a
statute of Limitation. He declares
against any laws establishing a general
rateoFinterest, and thinks It should be left
10 the universal law of supply and de-
mand .but recommends that rate should
be fixed for instances where no specific
agreement is made between the parties.
a COTpOrdtlOn aCk Is alsO IcCpullucnucuf
and the passage of an act regarding
limited partnerships, whereby the liS-
bility of any party to firm shall DO linn
tied, due notice of the amount having
been given under the statute; also, a
bill TO give mechanics, merchants and
others, a lien upon buildings and lands,
and in view Of the approach OF the IN
ion Pacific railroad and the consequent
influx of population and capital. a more
complete Civil Practice Act is regarded
as important. The statuteis. regard to
divorces is regarded rs an objectionable
one, the proceedings now being only re
quired 10 be ez P0rte and Nv notice re
quired to be given the defendant. Ii Is
recommended that Congress be memor;
iaiized for the establishment OF a land
office, and the repeal of the obnoxious
portion Of the Postal law. As this ap-
plies equally to Montana as Utah, we
give it. the concluding portion ct the
Message, entire:
"Congress should also be again memorial