National Republican., 1873-02-27


poses the Adoption of Severe Measures
Toward the NIormons Nyc Believes
In Letting the Mormon Problem Alone
The Bill Finally Passed.
After considering and dlsposing OF several
measures Of minor importance Mr.. Edmunds, at
the expiration Of the morning hour, called up
THE UTAH BILL
In aid Of the execution OF tie laws in that Ter
ritory, and for other purposes When the bill
had been read by the Clerk, Mr. Frelinghuysen
explained the scope OF us action, He said that
it did not propose to interfere with freedom OF
conscience, and In reference to pOlygamy II pro-
posed only prospective action,
Mr.. Thurman spoke of the impoicy OF adopt
ing too severe measures towards the MOrmons,
and described graphically their intense devotion
TO their Church, which would induce them to
submit to almost any sacrifices. He said that
whatever suffering might come TO those people
from the operations Of this blu would fall upon
the women equally with the men. The fury
regulations In this bill might do very wen In
Ohio or New Jersey, but In view OF the excited
state OF feeling prevailing IN Utah, the power
conferred In the selection OF Jurors was too dan
geTous to he intrusted to any one. He sub
mitted motion 10 Tecommlt the bill TO the Ju-
dietary Committee, with instructions to report
bill providing for the selection Of three Jury
commissioners by the Territorial Legislature or
by the qualified voters OF Utah, which commis-
sioners shall act In conjunction with the Judge,
marshal, and clerk, with equal power, In select
ing the persons from which juries are TO be con-
Ettuted, and to provide for wr1ts Of error to the
supreme Court Of the United states IN criminal
prisoument for six months, or nne Of tI,O0O.
Mr. MORTON can
all were, OF course, agreed In disapproval OF the
practice OF pOygamy, but there should be taken
into consideration the question Of law, for the
United States Government was itself responsible
for the institutions OF Utah. In 1881 the terrific
rial Legislature had passed an act In effect sane
tiouing polygamy, and that act had never TO this
day, except by construction In the act OF 1859,
been annulled by the Congress OF the United
anlh ~ tNrD of tha mil,
creating territorial government all acts Of the
Legislature were declared valid which were not
dlsapProyeL by Congress: He submitted the
TO legalize pOlygamy. Mr. Thurman withdrew
his motion to fecommlt, aud moved II as an
amendment.
the select committee TO investigate the charges
against Mr.. Clayton, OF Arkansas, re-
charges against Mr. Clayton arc not sustained.
lie said that Mr.. Norwood would, tomorrow or
next day, submit minority report on the same
subject. On motion Of Mr.. Frenghuysen, the
to provide for two commissioners, Instead Of
three, and was then agreed to- Mr.. Trumbull
moved to substitute the surveyor general OF the
Territory for the Judge as an Oricer TO aid In Sc
lectlng persons to serve as jurors; agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman moved TO strike out the section
which provides that aliens living In bigamy or
pOlygainy shall not be admitted to citizenship;
which, alter discussion, was lost, Mr.. Nye be-
lieved In enforcing the laws, but he thought the
to let II alone. The public sentiment surround
ing MOmOndOm was the influence that would
destroy II.
Mr.. stewart moved an amendment that no
criminal prosecution for bgamy or pOlygamy
shall be Instituted until four years after the pas
sage Of this act, and that then such proceedings
shall be forever barred as TO parties who, within
the four years, shall abandon such practices; but
afterwards withdrew Il. At p. M, pending
discussion, the Senate took recess to =. M.
Evening Session.
Mr.. E,lnunds offered a resolution lnslruclng
the Committee on the judiciary to inquire
whether the Union Pacific Railroad CUmpany, or
any company authorized 10 build branch road
to connect with that road, or any assignee Of
said company, will he entitled TO lands or bonds
for any road which such company may hereafter
construct, and providing that until said commit
tee shall report the executive officers OF the Gov
CTnment are requested TO issue no bonds, patents
or certificates that may be claimed for roads con-
structed and reported after this date agreed to.
His were passed authorizing the settlement Of
the accounts Of Charles =. Brown and ]. J. Has
Hell; authorizing the exchange OF the old post
once property In Chicago for other property,
and authorizing the Secretary OF the Interior 70
survey and dispose Of certain Indian lands In
Nebraska and Kansas for the benefit Of the In
dians.
THE UTAn BILL.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
Utah bil Mr, Cngin offered an amendment
providing that ut all elections In UtAh the ballots
shall be counted ami the result announced I'M
mediatcly after the close ut the polls, and making
the failure to do this u leIony agreed TO. Mi.
Thurman moved to strike out the section which
provides u legal process by which "pluralp Nor
mon wives eau get released from their husbands
and receive the custody Of their minor children
and a share OF the husbands property. lie ar
gued that this provision would tcmpt liBrCputa-
bic lawyers to stir up litigation and disturb So
clety, Mr.. Frelnghuysen defended the tin. Mr..
Casserly argued earnestly against this section
as impOlitlc and unjust, aud ngcd the Senate to
strike II out, Mr.. Logan replied, dcnOuncng
polygamy and defending the provision The
motion 20 strike out was lOst-yeas, IS; nays 22
Mr.. Thurman offered an amendment, pro-
yldlng for Wrlt8 Of crlJI 70 the Supreme Court
puulshment is CrWiNl, Og SIX months lmprisOn-
meat, OF lus OF fl,UVO Mr.. lre.lnghuyseu
moyed 10 amend the amendment 50 as 10 apply
only 10 capltAl cases Mr. stewart offered u
substitute, creating three new United states cir
cults, appeals to be taken 10 tie Circuit Court =