Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-17
FORTY-SIVRyTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. II

WASHINGTON. feo. 10.
The president pro TEN. submitted mes
sage received from the President transmit
ting the annual report of the Indian commits
sioners, with q letter from the secretary OF
the Interior suggesting legislation upon the
points in the report, also q letter from the
commissioner of education recommending
an appropriation Of 81, 900 for educational
PURPOSES in Alaska
Mr.. Morrill,, upon his request, was renewed
from service On the committees on educa-
lion, labor, and census.
M.-.rs. Hawlry and Saunders presented
petitions for early action on the Lapfiam JOINT
resolution for improvements Of the Harlem
river.
MIR Rollins reported favorably the House
Dilt In reference la the trustees OF the LIN
coin monument association constituting n'e
a quorum. Passed
The Senate AL II. 40 went into executive
session. and at ID r. NJ. resumed legisla-
tiv. business. xhen the regular order, anti
poIvgamy bill. was proceeded with. The
aue .uiun being upon the eighth section as re-
ported from the judiciary committee
Mr.. Morgan spoke of the importance OF
matf,re consideration ut the measure. III view
IF the bearing of the question upon our DEAL
ing. hereafter with the Indians. He con-
.rrue,i the measure As one To legislate out of
Off men guilty of polygamy, bigamy, etc.
and held that in his view it was a subject to
serious constitutional objections.
The subject was further discussed by
Wes.rs. Elmunds, Butler, Jones, MICAH,
Sherman and Lamar.
Mr.. Edmunds said: The theOcracy might
continue to control the government OF Utah
notw Outstanding the legislation, but we were
irving the mildest measures first, and this
one would have the effect. if 1t had no other,
of displacn, from authority in Utah, the
polyyamist who constituted the majority Of
the territorial Assembly, who composed en-
lirrlv the council and largely the executive
,fficers of the territory. Ii there is, as was
believed, in the Mormon church, body of
people who have no faith in pOlvgamy, and
who wish to emancipate themselves from the
tyranny of the hierarchy that now had its
foot on their necks. they would now have
chances to assert themselves. No Senator
had denied that polygamy was inimical TO
republican government. 1t was admitted that
we desired to get rid of it, but when prac-
teal measure to that end was presented, the
preference ALWAYS indicated for some other
measure.
The remaining committee amendments and
the several sections of the bill then agreed
to without further debate, and reported to the
Senate as from the committee OF the whole.
MIR. Browns amendment requiring not more
than three of the members of the board of
commissioners shall be members Of the same
political party, was agreed to on party vote,
20 to "a. Mr.. Davis of Illinois. voted aye
with the democrats and MIR. Malone was alb
sent.
Another amendment offered by Mr.. Brown
was adopted, prohibiting the board from dis
franchising anyone on account of his opinion
on the subject of polygamy. Several amend
mel is were proposed and defeated by decis-
i've votes, and after the Encouragement Of its
sections the bill was finally passed by viva
voce vote, in which no negative responses
were heard.
Adjourned.