The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-14
THE UTAH COMMISSION.

The Commissioners appointed un-
der aection 8 of an act to amend
section 1852 Of the Revised Statutes of
the United States, in reference to
6lgamy and other purposes, approved
March %. 1882, made preliminary
report on the 31st of August last, and
another report on the 18th of Novem-
Der, which are herewith submitted
It appears by these reports that the
Commissioners entered into the dis
charge OF the duties assigned to them
under said act, and have given dill
gent attention to the same. Rules
were adopted for the registration of
voters and the conduct OF elections.
Registers were appointed aa nearly as
practicable in conformity with local
law. excluding, however, all persons
Ineligible under the Congressional
act. The registration of voters having
been completed under the laws of
Utah, the Commissioners decided not
to commence de nOvO, but to review
the list, applying the principles OF
said Congressional act.
From the rsg9rt of the register OF
voters it sppeass that the total regis
tered vote was g., 1856, of which Is, 772
were males. and IA, 494 females, and
that about 1900 males and females
were excluded from registration BY
reason of polygamy.
The Commissioner report that dur
ing the campaign preceding the No.
vember election for delegate to Con-
gress: The people of all classes
manifested a lively interest in public
afairs, and attended the political
meetings in large numbers, end such
meetings were characterized by ex-
eeptlonal good order, good humor,
and decorum.
The Com missioners appointed, the
week before election, five gentlemen
OF character to canvass the votes, who,
in the presence OF the Commission,
on the 10th of November, discharged
that duty, declaring that John T.
Oaine had received %, 039 votes, and
Phillip 7. Van lille, 1884. The GER
tifcRte was accordingly given to Mr..
Caine as the duly elected delegate.
The Commissioners recommend the
enactment by Congress of marriage
law, declaring that all future mar
riages ia the Territory of Utah shall
be void unless solemnized in a public
manner, with proper witness, and
that public record be made thereof.
The Commissioners also recon-
mend the repeal of the law comforting
the right of suffrage on the females Of
that Territory, declaring that in the
Judgment of the Commission said Law
is an obstruction to the speedy solu-
ton of the "vexed question" and
also suggest that the first or legal
wife be declared by act of Congress q
competent witness in all prosecutions
for "polygamy. bigamy, or unlawful
o0habiting." Speaking of the law
under which they we're appointed,
the Commissioners say " But so
far it has been q decided success in
excluding poIygamiass from the exer-
else Of suffrage ; and We are OF opin.
ion that the steady and continued
enforcement of the law will place
polygsny in a condition of gradual
extinction, and that the domination
that is complained OF by non-Mor-
mons in Utah, and elsewhere, will,
at no distant day, be much amelio.
rated. In accepting the trust COM
mitted to US. is was not expected by
the Commission. and We suppose not
anticipated by Congress nor the Ex.
ecutiye Department of the govern.
mept, that the desired results would
be accomplished st once, nor in the
brief space of s few months but
there is reason TO believe that the op-
GRAFTON of this law, and other infu-
ences. are setting strongly in the
direction of reform, AMI that the
hitherto dominant faction will be sup
planted by Young Utah " in the
conduct of public affairs"
The Commission further say /:
"Our attention has been called to the
propriety of our recommending con-
greasional legislation Of q radical
character F.; but We are not inclined to
advise such measures, unless upon
further observation and experience
the wisdom and necessity of such leg
islatioD shall be demonstrated. BE
port of Hon. Fl. II. Teller, Secretary
of tie Interior.
T0OOn EUomhs Es