New-York tribune., 1874-06-03
WASHINGTON.
WAR UPON POLYGAMY.

PASSAGE THE UTAH BILL BY THR HOUsE-THE
MAJORITY IN ITS FAVOR VERY LARGE-FEATUREs
OF TIE BuL-PRoBsBuITy THAT IT WILL Bti-
COME LAVA MORMON APOSTLES PROTEST
AGAINST IT'S PASSAGE.
lBV TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.I
WASHINGTON, June 2-The House has passed
what is known as the Utah bill by vote so extra
ordinary that the friends of the measure are
amazed. The bill is familiar TO the general reader
and provides for the selection of jurymen by the
United States officers in the Territory, with power
30 challenge all such jurymen practice
poygamy The object of the bill is TO ex-
cIude all Mormons from the jury box,
and from the rights and privileges enjoyed
by citizens Of other localities The law will be of
course administered by Gentiles, who are largely
in the minority in Utah. aud thus the Mormons,
who compose most of the population, will have no
hand IN their own Government. 1t Is easy to see
what the result will be. for between the two classes
there the strongest feelings of enmity. The bill,
IA passed, n satisfactory to Judge Williams, the
Attorney and there little doubt that 1t
will pass the Senate and be signed by the President.
The bill is in accordance with the recommends
tions of the Presidents message and its passage has
been urged by the strongest of lobby Influences. The
United States officers of the Territory have been here
almost the entire Winter, and have been most tire
less in their efforts neglectng their duties and being
absent from their offices. Tie vote on the passage
of the bill was i55 to SO.
The bill was brought from the Judiciary Commit
tee by Judge Poland, who briefly explained 1t, aud
yielded three-quarters of his time to Mr. Cannon the
Mormon Delegate. He in turn yielded to two mem
bers portion of his time. When he began to speak
there was great interest felt on the floor and in the
galleries. which were unusually full Of ladies, to
hear him. It was a singular spectacle. For the
first time n Msrmon practicing polygamy had been
recognized by the Speaker as he arose to oppose
the bill. Mr. Hooper, his predecessor although
believer in the faith, did not practice Its teachings
In his own domestic relations. Mr.. Cannon is fine
looking gentleman, large and full, although not tall
of figure, and about AZ years of age. lie was born
IN Liverpool, and has the bearing of well-to-do
Englishman. His complexion is clear and his cheeks
are red He is strictly temperate in lis habits, and
both at home and here is very popular personally.
He makes no cOneealment of the fact that
he has four wives He is an editor by
profession and is one of the twelve so-called
apostles to Brigham Young. He is regarded as one
of the ablcst men among the MOrnons. When he
arose many Of the members gathered about his seat
and those who remained seated paid the closest
attention to his remarks. His voice Is clear and
strong and his enunciation distinct. HIS manner
was that Of practiced speaker. He has had much
experience, having been for years member of the
the immense tabernacle in salt Lake City in place
of Brigham Young.
Mr. Cannon argued that the bin unfair and
discriminating that il ought to apply 10 other Ter
rtories if to Utah. He said the bill was not drawn
by the Judiciary Committee. but had been brought
here aud forced through the Committee, there being
six OF seven more intended for the destruction of
the rights and property of the MormOns He called
attention to the that United States officers had
been here day after day. week after week, and
month after month. on the floor of the House, lob
bying log-rolling. and buttonholng members in
disgraceful manner. He SAID that if the bill
became law Utah would be a good place
for plunder:" that the Marshals Office would be
worth S5OOOO a wear He showed how peaceful and
industrious his people and tried to picture their
fate If their property and liberty were turned over
20 the hands of such rs the Government is rep
resented by now de complained of the limited
tune left to him, and ended by assuring the House
that the MormOns if wrong. could not be convinced
by war: that bayonets were not arguments. lie
said if they are to be put down, they must be put
down by reason and not by violence. The speech
was very temperate in tone and delivery. OF
course he did not enter into any discussion of the
religion of his people as that was not directly in
volved IN the bill.
Mr Ward of Illinois member of the Committee,
made a very forcible speech of 10 minutes in favor
of the bill and against Mormonism. He said when
the Morrnons FIRST settled in Utah they did not want
laws but now the laws are required by the people
who go there and who do not worship the God of
the Mormons He did not call their pretended faith
religion. He said there had been the most dannable
things done ia the name of relgon--the human
sacrifice, the funeral pyre, and other barbarsms
His speech contained little argument, but was very
effective. He said he would stop MOrmonism, not in
the name of rel gon but Ill the of justice aud
law.
Judge Soiand closed the debate He said there had
been for twelve years law the statute-bOok
against polygamy. and that il had never been
enforced. II was now proposed 10 enforce IT, and
under the present bill Ie said Momons could be
tired for their crimes There were few amendments
proposed and onl, one adopted. that Of Mr..
Eldredge limiting the fees TO be received by the
DstrIct-A torney To s35J0. the balance To 20 into
the Treasury II the bill becomes law, the amount
Of fees that viii be received by the officers IN Utah
vii be immense as the present officers viii no doubt
be diligent. and the cases are numerous.
PRACTICAL CUSTOMS REFORM
IMPORTANr AMENDMENTS TO THE MoIETY BILL
PROPOSED SALARIES OF COLLECTORS, SURVEY
oRs or PORTS. AND NAVAL oFFICLRs, As sue