The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-02-23
xLvIIth CONGRESS.
[FIRsT SESSION.

Inc following bills were passed: Articles of
war, imposing limitation at two years from
date OF enlistment against prosecution for de-
sertioni to promote the efficiency of the navy;
to provide for the sale of lands of the Miami
Indians In Kansas. Senator Dawes, by special
assignment, addressed the Senate in favor of
civl service reform, after which the bill was re-
ferFeo 70 the Committee on Civil Service. Mr..
Plumb, from the Committee on Public Lands,
reported fsvorably the bill to provide for the
CLAIM o. public lands by the States in regard to
land entered within their limits by military
scrip apd land. warrants.
lff. Vance made speech on the tariff in which
heSdqFlored the burdens of high protective
poi E6ich fell with the greatest weight
=1FEIl1e 1Ericuitural class, aud did more tos
retasd the growth and impair the wealth Of the
South than any other cause. Mr.. Edmunds
made several Intellectual attempts to have the
anti-polygamy bill considered. Mr.. Morgan
offered q resolution, which was referred, re-
questing the President to bring to the attention
I Of the Government of Nicaragua the necessity
Of arranging by q convention for . final settle
ment Of al unadiusted claims existing between
the United States and Nicaragua, and of citi-
gems Of either Of said governments against
other governments.
In the discussion Of the nt-polygamy bill,
Mr.. Vest said the seventh section of the bill de-
claring polygamists ineligible to Office or suf-
frage, proposed to take away the rights of citi-
zens Of the United States for past offenses
without trial or conviction for the offense. The
Senator from Delaware (Mr. Bayard) had said
that Territorial reorganization was analogous
to original organization, when Congress has
right to impose such conditions as were now
proposed, but he Mr.. Vest) denied there was
any analogy. The doctrine that the right to
vote and to hold Office in this country when
once offered could be taken away was some
thing he had never known to be broached be-
fore, and he denounced it as an arbitrary,
| despotic and unconstitutional declare
| ton. He was opposed to polygamy,
| but in his adherence of it, he would
| be careful not to strike down safeguards of
| personal liberty. In reply Mr.. Garland said it
| was complained that the provisions Of the bill
| were severe and rough, but he would say they
were intended to be severe and rough, and
they were, nevertheless, sanctioned by prece-
( dents and the organic law. The grant Of
| power given to Congress, "to make all needful
| rules and regulations respecting Territories, :"
| gave it unlimited control in the Territories.
"Let it go to the world, !" he added, "that Con-
| gress recognizes the organization of q Terri
| tory founded upon the theory that one man
| is inspired by God for certain purposes, and
| We may burn our statute books and give full
license to inspirations of murderers everywhere.
So long as it retained its distinctive features,
Utah government could not by any possibility
be republican"
Senator Edmunds' anti-polygamy bill was
discussed at great length. Mr.. Vest denounced
the bill as in its every feature bill Of attain
der Qnficting punishment without judicial
triaD which was prohibited by the Constitu-
ton. He would not give his vote for the prin.
ciples of the bill, though upon his assent to il
should depend his future political life. He be-
lieyed ii would substitute for an anti-republicar
government in Utah an anti-republican Star.
chamber arrangement. Mr.. Pendletor
objected SO several features of the
bill, and particularly to the one excluding
from the jury-box known polygamsts in trial.
for polygamy, etc. He said that this bill dis
criminated against a man faithful to severa
j yysea. and in favor of holding adulteroui
| relations. BE regarded the measure, for tn,
| reasons he stated, as intended to secure pun
ishment of crimes without conviction there
fore, he gave notice of an amendment in thes,
respects. Mr.. Sherman said he would vote TO
the bill, but doubted its effectiveness h,
believed the time would come, and that it wa
not far distant. when some of the Saint
in authority in Utah would have q new revela
tion from source all would recognize
and that in this way we would get rid o
polygamy by the voluntary action Of its sup
porters. The remaining committee amendment
and several sections Of the bill were thel
agreed to without further debate, and the bill
reported to the Senate as from the committe
of the whole. Several amendments were pro
posed and defeated by decisive votes, and afte
i rearrangement of its sections the bill finall
passed bya uiUG uoce vote, in which no negativ
/ L<e-