The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-08-18

The Utah Commission PASSES Through
Cheyenne, En- Route 90 Sal. Lake.

The Utah commission, a much talked
of and variously commented upon out
growth of recent legislation, passed
through this city yesterday af-
ternoon, en- route to Salt Lake
office. Just what these duties are
to assume the duties of the
is hard to discover, more than a few
general statements made by n member
of the commission, which were ''to
supervise the registration, see hat no
polygamist voted, and to issue certif-
Gates of election to the officers elected
The territorial legislature is to be
elected this fall, and also a delegate to
congress, in the choice of both of
which it is expected that the much
married mormon is to be barred out.
Conversation with different members
of the commission failed to elicit a well
defined plan of action. In fact, out
side the provisions of the Edmunds
bill, they had no settled procedure
laid out, waiting rather, until grown
familiar with the ground, they might
be better prepared to set out in tue
proper line of work. The commission
has no authority to investigate the
church records, no power to compel the
production of evidence, and must rely
Largely upon heresay evidence for
knowledge with which to spot polyga-
mists.
The complexion of the commission
has already been published in our tele-
graphic columns. The law authorizing
its origination provided that not more
than three members should be chosen
from any one political party, and as a
result, politically, thu commission
stands two democrats to three repub-
licans. The law also provided very
considerably a salary of S5, 200 per
year to compensate for the wear aud
tear of the trying duties.
The commission is made up of Hon.
Alex. Ramsey, of Minnesota, ex secre-
tary of war, chairman; United
States Senator Paddock. of Nebraska:
Colonel G. l.. Godfrey, of Dss Moines,
Iowa. Judge Carlton, of Terre Haute,
Indiana; and ex-Congressman Petit
grew, of Arkansas.
The commission and its work is var
iously connected upon. The general
tenor of the comments, however, seem
10 be to lightly burlesque the affair, for
which there seems to be some cause.
when its limited powers are considered
and the narrow scope of its work. It
seems that the mormon element will
ind no trouble in evading the law, and
while polygamist Office holders NAV be
ousted, monogomists just as thoroughly
imbued with the spirit of the church,
and just as closely allied to its interests
may be returned.
The commission is not sent to inves-
tigate into the evils of the institution,
the relations OF church aud state or to
discover the best means of ~uprooting it.
The religion and its relation to our
institutions do not occupy the commits
sion's attention. Said Chairman
Ramsey: I'VE don't care how many
mormons vote, we cannot interfere
with their religion"
Apparently the commission go to the
field of their labor with placid, CHI i'd
like faith that the many wlved NOR
mons will come up to it, as a privilege,
and confess their polyga nous condition
praying that they be not allowed to
vote. Whether or no such a state of
affairs will exist, a few months will
prove. .N