The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-23
q d N G h H y = e.
Senate.

Senate.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Messrs Pomerov auj Az
tnOny presented petltlons Tor extending the s raga
to women.
MI Howard, from the Committee on Territories
reported, with amendments, the bill for Terriforisi
form of government for Alaska. w
Mr.. Spencer offered resolution nstructinp the
Naval and Military Committees to inquire into and
report upon the eXpediency of abolishng the Nauai
Academy at Annapolis and the Military Academy Of
West Point and the substitution, by asspnmentS to
duty in various colleges throughout the Union. of
naval and military officers as instructors in naviga
tion, naval warfare, and military tactics, or the in
auguratOn OF some other system calculated to re-
lieVe the Government OF large expense and enobie
all who desire 1t to secure an education for the army
or navy at their own expense. Agreed to.
on motion OF Mr.. Ferry, the message of the Pres,
dent vetoing the bill for the relief OF Rolin Wbta
relative to the extension OF a pistol patent wa,
taken up, and MIR. Ferry made an argument a,ains s
the bill and III favor OF the Presidents objections
House.
Immediately after the reading OF the Journal. Mr.
Banks sent to the Clerks desk and had read the fol-
lowing letter from the Secretary of State:-
''DBPARTNEET or STATE, WASHINGTON, Feb 23-
My Dear Genelal:-A telegram this morning (925)
was received from Mr.. Curtin, at st. Petersburg
announcing the death OF MIR. Buringame this morn
ITO the Hon. N. p. Banks
Mr.. Banks addressed the House on the subject
He said:-Mr. Speaker, although Mr.. Burlingame
had rendered great services to the country he was
not officially connected with this Government at the
time OF his DEATH 1t is not proper therefore to in
terrupt the proceedings of the House at this time by
anything more than a statement of this sad occur
renee, yet crave the generous indulgence of the
will be presented In the regular OF business
to express our appreciation of his char
acter and great services. He wished to
be remembered in connection with those
services, and promised him at the last interview
had with him that his name should not be forgotten
The mediation between the great and ancient en-
pire Of the east and the civilized nations of the west
is one OF the grandest services which any man in
modern times has performed That service Mr.
Burlingame had carried nearly to its complete sue
cess The empire of Russia, in which he died. and
where he could but just have arrived, was the last
of the great States which 1t was his duty to visit,
and there he was certansof soon accomplishing ali
tnat could have been expected and desired by him
in regard to his great mission In regard to that
mission will only say that its creation was as much
due to the peculiar and high character of Mr.. Bur-
ngame as to the necessities OF the Government
which he represented.
Messrs George L. Harris, j. L. Morphls, George
G. w. Mckee, and Legrand w. Perce, members elect
from Mississippi appeared and took the oaths of
Office
California to aid in the construction of railroad
from Nallego to Humboldt bay, California Re-
ferred.
Committee on Commerce TO inquire into the eXpe-
| diency OF improving Connecticut river as recon-
mended in the report OF Colonel Houston. Adopted
Mr.. Conger introduced Joint resolution for the
| creation of harbor of refuge on Lake Huron Mich
Referred.
Mir Bennett asked leave to introduce and have put
upon its passage bill for the construction OF a
bridge across the Niagara river.
Mr.. Wood objected.
Petitions were presented as follows:-
BY Mr.. Kelley Qa.) from the shipbuilders, etc. of
| Philadelphia for proper rank to naval construc-
BY Mr.. Schumacher from a thousand cigarmakers
OF New York and Brooklyn for an increase Of duties
| on imported cigars
| The House proceeded to the considerations in the
| morning hour, OF the bill to prevent and punish
| polygamy in Utah, and Mr.. Fitch addressed the
House in opposition to it. He admitted the proba-
bity of the destruction OF pOygamy by the enforce
| ment of the bill, and that that would be a laudable
and wise purpose If such destruction were all that
| were involved in the matter 1t would be his duty
| to advocate the measure instead of opposing it, bu,
| and
something more OF the peculiar character and mo-
tves Of the peoples inhabitng that country and he
was compelled 10 submit that this bill enforced as
law would provoke consequences most prolific OF
misfortune, and entail results altogether unprece
dented.
Among these results might be Included first the
temporary Obhtruetion II not complete destructioI
Of the great overland railroad; next Utah would bt
returned to the desoateness which had once reignet
supreme upon her soil. Again, the growing indus
tries OF vast country would be checked and thu
development OF the Pacific coast seriously retarded
| and beyond all this thousands OF brave men woulC
be slain, and millions Of treasure expended. HI
feared that the people OF Utah would regard tn
passage of this bill as declaration OF war. anC
would prepare with all the fury, and earnestness
bitter, protracted, and bloody
| The result OF such contest no man could doubt
| OF Utah. But with polygamy thus destroyed, adul
| terry thus delocallzed, concubnage thus stanpc
out; with virtue and desolaton reignng supreme ii
turbed the stiffness, the rcbukng verdict of ta
burdened people would be- that the result accom-
| "
would there he in such contest appealing to ethe
/ the Judgment the conscience or the patriotism 0
the people? Did Il not lack all the elements whlc
inspired men 10 go forth TO battle?
lie understood, OF course, the disgrace IL Was I
the nation that the barbarous social practice of IN
| Asiatc should be unblushingly pursued among
Saxon people in the noon OF the nineteenth century
| lie condemned the iniquity of the Mormon creed
lie was nned with amazement and pity at the voluu
tary degradation of the Mormon women He con
passlonated while he aohorred that spirit
| whether 1t were spirit of sensuality O
| of sacrifice that ignored and repudiated that HOLES
| impulse OF human nature that sacred passion whic
no man could feel at once for two women and whic
| no woman could entertain for him whom she did nc
| believe 10 be exclusively her own. But the questio
| was practical, not sentimental one ;'history nc
: where made mention OF colony OF equal age NOR
4 | Industrious more united, more powerful or NOR
self-sustalning. They were Industrious thrifty
| temperate; they were comparatively free from ever
. wee except polygamy, and according to their creed
that was no vice, but religious duty they believe
| in their faith as deeply IA the Mohametan believe
in his Koran, or the Christian In the crucinxon OF hi
= | Redeemer.
TO assail that faith with armies would be to cor
solidate and strengthen and nuse its votaries wit
more ardent zeal The gentleman from Illinois (M
4 snlloml hav Unn mo 10 Haafo