Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-06-02

several sections Mr.. Poland demand ID the PEE
yious question, which Was sustained ayes 1G.
Mr.. Poland then gave three fourth. OF the re-
maining hour to Mr.. Cannon, the Delegate
Crounse, Of Nebraska, who disclaimed any sym
patty, but said that system should not be con-
founded with the framing a system of a ia~ for
NIGH be n.eG hereafter 20 oppress Tree peo.
PIE. He had heard the remark made around
him that they did not care what the bill con-
ia tanned: they were going to put 1t through, an
Iortant a bill should be passed.
Mr.. Crounse proceeded TO argue that a fee
ing OF hostility TO Nor monism was leading the
House to enactments that we're anti republican
In character and q blow at American liberty
Aside from the people of Utah a. q law-sbdng,
peaeeable and industrious people, and said
while he did not eulogiZe the bill as q whole
there we're features in II that ougat never 10
become q law.
Mr.. Potter IN. " opposed the amendment
offered by Mr.. Cessna, and said il was better to
drive the people cut of the territory than 70
allow federal judge to pack his own juries.
He commented on the clause prohibiting be-
levers in polygamy from sitting on juries when
the question of polygsmy was involved. He
said that Congress had years ago passed a law
against polygsmy. which had been imperative,
and this law must either prove imperative or
result in locking up sll the Mormons and leay-
ing the territory open 70 non Mormons.
Mr.. Cannon (Utah) denied that the appoint
ment or territorial marshal and attorney
general was in conflict with the duties of the
United States marshal or district attorney or
that the probate court of the territory condicted
with the jurisdiction of the United States courts.
He said that justice was adm Mustered in the
probate courts, and verdicts were given in favor
Of non Mormons or MormoIs with equal justice
and impartialIty, as the records would show.
He contended that If the law was not aimed
directly at Mormons ii should be made gene
raj, and apply to all the territories. He denied
the bill, and said Congress had been memorial
lied to send q Congressional Committee there
to investigate the facts, showing that the
MormoDs are not afraid of the closest scrutiny
He charged that the United States officers in
Utah were the men urging the passage of this
bill, and that its passage had not been re-
quested by the people of Utah. Mormon
or non Nor mon. III the law passed the United
States Offices in Utah OF District ATTORNEY
and Marshal would be worth as much as
that OF President of the United states
de SAID the government was economically adj
ministered; the taxes were light, order was
maintained, and the people were contentei
This bill vas an attempt 20 rob the people un-
der the guise Of law. He recalled the early
history OF the MOrmons in Utah when the
gIssshoppers destroyed the crops, and the Nor
mons survived when others would have per-
isbed, because they shared frsiernally with one
another W hat little they had. Four years ago il
was sald that there would be b God shed unless
the bill then before Congress passed, but
these four years have eIay sed, and there
has been no blood shed or disorder
There were many, he said, who favored this
bill, hoping that IL would destroy MOrmonism
nut lne experience OF the past bowed that the
Mormons could not be CONVEX. d at the point of
the bayonet. They had been ri ven from their
homes time and time agar. but were not
crushed. He cited the libeTality of the Nor
mons in opening their church, to the minister.
OF other denominations to discuss their system
of religion.
Mr.: Cessna advocated his amendment allow
Ing the jurors TO be selected by the courts as a
substitute for the fourth section of the bill
which allows one half 10 he selected by the
MoInons, and inveighed against the crimes of
III m N-T1 ANN Ha,h ~
pIacticed in Utsh In d. lance of the laws of the
United States.
Mr.. Ward (Iil) argued that legislation was
mace necessary by the tue Of civilization
which was swee ping over the land. He attacked
the religion of the Mormons, and said the God
that sacrificed woman upon the altar OF man.
lost IN pinrahty OF wives was not God hr
could worship, and classed Mormonism among
the other systems Of idolsuy. He did not de
sire TO DO any injury to the MorDOns bat he dI
not propose to give them the power TO run tn
country with their own God, their own religion
and their own high priests. He commented
with much severity upOh the provisions of the
An section OF the bill, and compared il with
granting 10 criminals TO select one half the iurv
To try their fellow criminals. He insisted IN
the MOrmOns should be compelled TO accent
Whist was just and right in the expr essed opiI-
IoD OF the whole civilized world He did ncf
care where the me asure came from; il was lust
and right. and he should support it.
Nr. Poland said two years ago he went T.,
Utah, professionally, and made the ae1uaint-
ance vf many gentlemen OF the bar there, an,
he supposed that 1T was in conseq uence of thai
that they applied to him in this matter as he
bad not hitherto been a leader In the matter
He raid he would like gentlemen to compare
the bill which passed the House four wears ago
by vote OF four TO one. and proceeded to point
out the much more STRINGENT provisions of that
bill, and said it could hardly be charged
that he had the paternity Of both bills.
But he said 1t could not be denied that this
people we're as much in conflict with the gov
eminent as any part OF the country in the
darkest days OF the rebellion. Did not the
gentlen an from Utah know that the law against
polygan had been unblushingly violated
MIR. Cannon said the United States had had
the JUDGES, district attorney and marshal and
If the violation of the law had not been pun.
ishsd, the people of Utah were not to blame
Mr.. Poland said everybody knew that it was
useless to stand up before Twelve unblushing,
damnable polygamists and attempt to secure a
conviction. 1t was for this reason that the
present bill was necessary. This bill, he said
in view Of the open defiance of the government
was extremely moderate.
MT. Cessna's amendment was then rejected.
An amendment offered BY Mr.. Eldredge, pro-
viding that the fees and salary of the district
attorney shall not exceed 81 500 per year, and
all fees in excess shall be paid into the Treas
ury, was adopted.
The bin was then passed by yea and nay
vote of 155 to 50.