Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-02-28
UTAH.
Synopsis of the Bill Reported to Con.
gress Yesterday Concerning the
Execution OF the Laws
in the Territory.

WASHINGTON, February 27.-The bill
reported by Representative Mckee to-
day, from the committee on Territories,
concerning the execution of the laws In
Utah, gives authority to the United
States marshals to appoint deputies in
each judicial district of that Territory.
The United States attorney is also au
thorized to appoint assistants. 1t is
made their duty to attend all
the courts. Only male citizens of
the United States, over twenty-one
years of age, and for six months resi-
dent of the Territory, shall be cOmpe-
tent to serve as grand or petit jurors,
their names to be drawn from a box, a
certain number then being written on
slips of paper. In all prosecutions for
bigamy, pOlygamy, or adultery, it shall
not be necessary to prove either first
or subsequent marriage, by registration,
or certificate thereof, or other recorded
evidence; but the same may be proved
by such evidence as is admissible to
prove a marriage in civil cases. And
proof of cohabitation by accused with
more than one woman as husband and
wife, his declaration or admission that
such women are his wives, and his acts,
recognizing, acknowledging, introduc-
ing, treating, or deporting himself
toward them as such, shall be admissi-
BILE as evidence. Any woman, now or
hereafter holding the relation of spouse
or consort, and not that of lawful wife,
to any man who at times cOhabits with
another woman rs his wife, spouse or
consort, may file her petition asking to
be discharged from such relation. The
court may, upon due hearing, adjudge
and decree her to be discharged and freed
from such relation, and give her possess
sion and control of his minor children,
together with such portion of the estate
of the man for the support of herself and
children. The bill provides that moth
ing in this section shall be construed as
repeating, changing or annulling the
existing laws against pOlygamy, and
that the probate courts shall have juris-
diction only in cases of wills and estates
of decedents, but shall not exercise any
other civil, or criminal, or equity juris-
diction whatever. The district courts
! shall have exclusive original jurisdic-
ton In all actions for divorce or alimc-
nv, and in all chancery cases or proceed
Ings, all courts except the supreme,
district, probate and justices courts are
abolished. The last section disapproves
aud annulS the various acts passed in
the legislative assembly, including the
ordinance incorporating the church of
Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints; an
act regulating the mode of procedure in
civil cases in the courts of Utah; an act
comforting upon women the elective
franchise; an act for the organization OF
the militia in the Territory; an act pre-
scribing the duties of selectmen and the
duties of the county courts; an
act in relation to writs of eject
ment; an act regulating the mode
of procedure in criminal cases;
ali act regulating elections; an act
concerning the property of married
persons; also, all acts providing for an
election by the legislature of an auditor
and treasurer. The surveyor-general
and wardens of the penitentiary, so fal
as said acts provide for the election Of
said officers by the legislative assembly,
and all of said officers shall be appoint
ed by the governor of the Territory, and
subject to removal by him. The bill
was ordered printed ana recommitteo
to committee.