The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-02-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
Debate on tia Anti-Poayeamy Bill.
SENATE.

ficatiOn Of electors.
Vest replied that the seventh section
of the bill declaring polygamists ineligi-
bic to Office or suffrage, proposed to take
away the rights Of citizens Of the United
States for past Of1enses without trial or
conviction for the offense. The Senator
from Delaware (Bayard) had said that
territorial reorganization was analogous
to original organization when Con-
gress has the right to impose such con-
ditiOns as were now proposed, but he
Vest denied there was any analogy:
The doctrine that the right to vote and
hold office in America when once offered
should he taken away was something
he had never known t. be preached BE-
fore and he denounced It asan arbitrary,
deslOtic and unconstitutional declara-
tiOn. He was opposed to pOlygamy but
in his abhorance of it he would l,e care
full not to str Ike down the safeguards of
personal liberty.
Garland said it was complained that
the provisions Of the bill were severe
and rough but he would say they were
50 intended to be and they were never
theless sanctioned by precedents and
the organic law with the grant Of power
given tO congress to make all needful
rules and regulations respecting terri
tories which gave it unlimited control Of
the terri. Ories. Let 1t 70 to the world, he
added, that congress rec0gllizee the or
ganizAtiOn Of a territory founded upon
the theory that one man is inspired ny
God for certain purpose and We may
burn our statute books and give full IL
ccnse to the inspirations Of the Guiteaus
everywhere. SO long as 1t retaines its
distinctive features the Utah govern
Inent could not by any possibility be re-
publican.
The discussion continued ut some
length.
The motion for an executive session
was lost.
Several efforts were made to secure an
arrangement for a vote on the bill, inter
sperscd with motions to adjourn. 1t
was finally arranged that the measure
should he proceeded with Immediately
after the morning business tomorrow,
and the debate closed ut $3.50. Upon this
understanding Edmunds consented t.
an adjournment.
An amended bill favoring the adlnis-
sion Of Dakota will hc favOrably report
e<l to the House.
House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. lG.-COx. from
the Committee Oh Nuultlng the expense
arising from the illness and death of
President Garfield, reported Il bill grant
ing pension Of S ,OOO per year to Mrs.
Garfield, which passed.
Bills reported:
by Carlisle, from Committee on Ways
and Means, to regulate the collection Ut
the Tux Oh Weiss beer. Referred to Com
NIT e. of the Whole.
1sv Burrows, from the Committee Oh
Territories, u hill for the admission Of
Dakota into the Union us State. Placed
upon House calendar.
by Hooker, from the Committee on
/: Indian Affairs, to provide additional
training schools for Indian yonths.
Placed upon House calendar.
I:y Dnnnell, from Committee of Ways
and Means, Il bill fixing the term ut
Office Of Collectors Of Internal Revenue
at four years. Placed upon House cal
cn':ar.
IIorr reported adversely from the
Committee If Civil service Reform. tlt.
bill to reduce the salaries Of heads ri
Departments and Members Of Congress.
:sr;crrxsl to Committee Of the W hole.