Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1882-02-17
FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.

SENATE-Mr. Ferry, of the Committee on Postof-
ices and Post Roads, reported favoraby the bill au
claims of postmasers from loss by burglary fire and
other unavoidable casualties.
On motion of Mr.. EdInunds the Senate proceeded
to the consideration of executive business. No
frmations made in the executive session 1t
agreed to sit out the Utah bill.
When the Senate resumed its open session the anti
polygamy bill was taken up. Mr.. Morgan opposed it
the ground that it contained grave constitutional
defects.
Mr.. Vest and MIR. Brown opposed the Edmundg
bill constitutional grounds saying its effect would
be post act0. Mr.. Brown said threefourths of the
human race practicing polygamy from religious
principle showed that the people should not be hasty
in assuming that the claim religion in Utah all
pretense. He offered amendment that only poly
gamists er bgamsts who have been legally convicted
of practicng polygany should be DISTINGUISHED and
not more than three members of the board of COM
m issioners should belong to one Political party.
Mr.. Jones, of Florida advocated the bill
MIR. Salisbury said there some features OF the
bill which seemed to him harsh and contrary to the
spirit of liberality and freedom which pervades the
American mind. Proper time should be allowed
polygamous Mormons to arrange their relations with
their wives before being subject to the penalties
listing ofceholders out of Office and unsafe to confer
extraordinary powers on the board of commissioners
and urged that those Objectionable features should be
modified
Mr.. Mccall argued against the bill.
Mr.. Pendleton offered amendment to several sec
t1ens to limit Its operations to persons Vng IN Dig
amy poygamy at the time it goes into effect.
sections of the bill there would be many convictions
because the offences were clearly defined and the
proof made more simple than under the existing
statute With regard to the board Of commissioners
he had doubt it would secure fair election, but
what was there in view OF the fact mat the
Mormons were in such large majority In Utah that
they would not elect the Legislature and secure con-
troll of the legislative machine of the Territory The
only remedy for this evil, continued the senator,
which the people will grapple with some day is to
place in power there govern nent that is not con-
troled by Mormons, just, fair, honest aud strong
government that will administer Justice and do what
is right without respect to the will OF people who de-
fy the fundamental law of Christian civilization.
r.
visions which had been 80 ably discussed but to the
and would innict nnspeakab,e SUFFERING on innocent
and helpless people.
Mr.. Edmunds reviewed the debate in twenty min
utes speech. He said the Senator from Ohio (Sher-
many right in intmating that the measure might
not take the of the territory away from
this hierarchy. They were trying the mildest meas
first Statistics showed that both branches of
the territorial assembly were and had been in the
fairs existed in the executive Offices The bill would
have the effect of displacing their political
for the administrative and judicial officers of the
territory who are wise and bold enough to en-
force the laws. He commended that there moth
ing unconstitutional in the measure which rested
on the principle that Congress had the right to de
territory. This bill was only one step. The
Committee Judiciary had under consideration
further provisions which would be reported
in due time which would help this measure
to eradicate the practice OF the Mormons In answer
ton would provide for women compelled to abandon
poygamous practices. The bill did not leave any
polygamous women in any worse condition and it
left the children infinitely better position
it egitimatizes the issue of plural marriages It had
often been decided that Congress- had complete power
the territories and right to abolish the govern
ment and determine all questions of franchise and
the committee thought it had not lost that power
after it had once exercised it.
Mr.. Browns amendment that not more than three
members of the committee should belong to par
ty was adopted by vote of &c to a. The provision
that the committee shall not refuse the vote of any
person account of opinion the subject of po-
lygamy also adopted.
SALISBURY moved addition to
section which declares the registration election
of officers vacant the effect that persons holding
Office now either by election appointment should
not be disturbed during their terms. Mr. Edmunds
called for the and yeas, stating that if adopted
the enact1ng clause nlgnt u.s. Wen pc struck out lost
13 Al Those voting in the affirmative were
Messrs. Brown, Camden, Coke, Davis of West Virgin
ia, Hampton, Jones, Lamar, Pendleton, Salisbury,
Vance, Vest, Walker and Williams.
Other amendments of Messrs Salisbury, Morgan,
Pendeton and Vest voted down by large MAORI
ties and the bill was passed. The gallery applauded
The chair expressed amazement at the noise, but in
an aside Il won't order the galleries cleared though
The Senate adjourned at p. M.
HoUsE-The Committee Territories reported IA
vorably substitute for the Dakota bill. 1t admits
mated at 100000, and the Territory covers $4,000
square miles.
The bill reducing the salaries of members of the
Cabinet and Congress was reported adversely.
On motion of MIR. Cox the House passed the bill
granting Mrs. Garfield pension OF S. 900. There
some disposition to enlarge the motion to make it
conform to the bill already passed in the Senate, Civ
ing pensions the widows of all Presidents but this
not successful and the bill passed original
ly proposed.
The House then resumed consideration Of the ap-
portionment bill Mr.. Prescott offered a resolution
that when the number of members Is decided upon
they shall be distributed by the old method.
Mr.. Bayne offered substitute resolution that they
be distributed by the new method.
Mr.. Converse offered a resolution substituting his
method of distribution detailed in these dispatches
Tuesday. The House refused to concur in Mr.. Con
Mr Bayne'a resolution was then rejected, the vote