The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-01-29
UTAH TERRITORY.
Gov. WOOds--.The Convention Bill
.--Excitement in the Territorial,
Legislature. .'s
SPvUIAI TuIVBFHIp 70 Tue IhtcIIIgehccF.
La Lt CHAIlIl:sToN. ", VA. Jan. 9

Legislature.
SALT LAKE, Jan. 27.-Gov. Woods to.
day returned TO the Legislature Assembly
the act for holding q convention to pre-.
pare constitution for the admission OF
Utah, without his approval. He suggests
that under the organic act Utah contem-
plates only such matters as relates TO the
domestic concerns of the territory, and no
power is therein given TO abolish one form
OF government and adopt another. The
power that created it alone can destroy it.
Without special authority from Congress
the territorial legislature has no right to
act upon the subject OF admission; further,
Utah having less than the required popu-
lation under the apportionment to one
representation in Congress, ihe thinks 1t
would be well to await the pleasure Of
the general Government. The Governor,
IN conclusion, says that to become q
State in the Union is not the right
but privilege. Good judgment would
therefore require that before any conven-
tlon should be called Utah should place
herself in harmony with the general
government. The first and highest duty
OF the citizen is obedience to the law. All
violations OF the law OF Congress should
cease. Polygamy should be abandoned
and laws should be enacted by you in ac-
cord with the laws Of Congress upon that
subject Until 1t is done the people of
Utah cannot expect, nor should they ask,
admission as q Stale. Religious federation
III the United States is Us broad as the
wants Of humanity. But the government
cannot tolerate church dogmas which set
at naught'its statutes. It is 10 be regret
ted that differences OF opinion should arise
in matters OF legislation between the leg.
islative and executive departments, but It
is my duty TO interpret the law as un.
derstand it, aud such shall be my course
Of action.
The Governors veto message 10 the
House created much excitement, and the
members expressed themselves with bitter
invective. Mr.. Taylor, one of the apos.
ties, exclaimed: Are we nonentities {?
Arc we serls ? Have we rendered our
selves criminal by putting power into the
hands Of people 10 ask admission into the
Union ? Tho polygamy clause OF this
message" said he, II consider an open
insult 10 us, It's worn thread. bare, and
has become stink in the nostrils Of all
respectable people. What laws have we
violated, and if we have violatee any,
why arc we not punished for it? Even
murdercrs are brought to testify against
us, and every means used to prove us
guilty ofpolYgamY. II, contrary to the
Constitution and laws of the United
States, why don't the Federal: Judges
prosecute us under United States laws
Is this house To- be insulted by
such charges as are contained in
the document from the Governor.
so no Ithrow it back in his face, and
tell him it is a falcehood. TVoices-
Hear Aeara1 We are American citi.
zens, and demand the rights Of SUCH" :
Mr.. James w. Young did not care a
snap for the veto, and asked no odds OF
the Governor or any other man.
Mr.. Redwood said they, had been
abused slopg' enough. He thouglit he
would gladly die martyr to the Mormon
cause. If there was anyof the blood OF
the loreiathers of'76 in the assembly they
would at once, resent tho insults. \ r;l'
On motion q Mr.. J. W. Young, a com.
mittce of three appointed 10 confer with
q similar committee from Council, applied
to draft joint resolution for thepurposes
named in the act. The same committee
was instructed 10 draft resolutions ex-
pressive Of the sense OF the House in re-
gard 10 the offensive charges contained in
the Governors veto message. -e..ss.