The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-06-09
TINE SURVIVING "TwuN.,,

In the summer of 1862, the Congress of
the United States passed law "to pro-
hibit polygamy in Utah" 1t provided, in
substance. "for the punishment of the
crime IF polggdRy in the territories of the
United States, or other places over which
the United States has exclusive iurisdic-
ton, by fine not exceeding five hundred
dollars and Imprisonment not less than two
nor more than five years, and also annulled
certain acts of the territorial legislature of
Utah countcnancing the practice of polyg-
amy" 1t is worthy of note that this bill
passed the House without division and
received the vote Of every Senator present
except those of the two California Scna-
tors. A similar bill had, also, passed the
House Mt the first session of the Thirty
sixth Congress, was reported favorably to
the Senate, but the report was received
too late for action. SO far rs words and
congressional action could do it, the repub-
lican party have thus redeemed their pledge
to do away with those "twin relics" of
barbarism polygamy and slavery. But
so far as the first "twin is concerned.
such redemption, as vet, consists only of
words. The excuse for non-action. hereto
fore, has been, that by defect in con-
gressional legislation, Mormon probate
courts, Mormon officers and Mormon Jurors
possessed more power than, and could over
ride all decisions of. the Unitei States
courts for Utah. Concedng this to be so,
and we believe it to be true, the whole
fault remains in Congress and nowhere
else. Congress has full and ample power
to remedy the defect at any time, and to
provide for the enforcement of this as of
all other United States laws.
Another plausible excuse has been made
for the non-enforcemcn' of this law, name
", the distance from Washington TO Nor
mondom. That these are mere excuses is
seen by the action of the House committee
on privileges and elections, Friday. The
hodse, - every one knows or ought to
KNOW, 10 the judge of the qualifications
etc, Of its members-delcgates as well as
representatives. At the last territorial
election, Cannon received Il majority OF
the votes polled and was certified as having
been elected a delegate to Congress. Tc
\ his taking his scat rs such, it was objected
and proved that he was poygarnst
and that he had married one Of
his wives since the passage OF
The act Of 1862, above referred TO-
Here then, is man conicssedly guilty OF
bigamy, proved TO have committed a crImC
against the laws Of the United States, who
has been declared entitled TO represent the
territory Of Utah in the Congress OF Tho
United States. and for whose expulsion
Friday, the committee on privileges an(
elections refused to allow resolution to b,
reported. If the law Of 1862 is of any
force, this Cannon is daily a criminal, anC
yet the House of Representatives, and theil
committee, declare that he is n fit man tc
occupy scat in Congress. Here, too, was
the opportunity to strike one hard blow Al
| polygamy, but it was evadcd Declare
tons of principles, party pledges and
cyen, laws are thrown to the winds, 81
that man whom the laws of the countr,
declare TO be Il criminal, worthy of fin
and Imprisonment, may occupy n seat il
Congress. How many years will ii take
with such action on the part of the repre-
sentatiyes of the people, to convinc
Brigham Young his associates and dcludct
followers, that there IS any intention Il
put stop TO polygamy We are incline,
TO thin, that, unless decided change take
place, the surviving "twin will flourish
for some time to come.