The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-02-18

i
that he will become 20 i'll that the trial
will be discontinued.
| THE ANT1-POLYaAMY BILL.
| From our dispatches We learn the Sem
ate, without q dissenting voice, passed
Mr.. Edmund's anti-polygamy bill.
This measure Is quite distinct from the
! one which the House 50 carelessly
| passed, but it seems to cover all the
points necessary to cripple the peculiar
institution in, lift will not entirely erad-
icate 1t from Utah. The original bill
was amended i'm several particulars but,
| % far a. we can learn from the disj0int-
cd dispatches received concerning the
proceedings had upon it, not to effect
materially its essential features. The
first section of the bill provides that any
person guilty of polyga'ny in any Ter
ritory over which the United States
have exclusive jurisdiction shall he pun
islled by q fine Of not more than $500
and imprisonment for not more than
five years. The bill deeiafee man a
polygamist who nlarries more than one
woman.
The second section of the bill declares
that any man who cohabits with more
than one woman in any territory over
which the United States have exclusive
Jurisdiction, is guilty Of a mis.leneanor
and shall Ike punished by fine Of not
more than $40 and by imprisonment
for not more than SIX months or by
both ut the discretion of the court. This
section is a twu-e.lyel sword and
cuts both ways, ut Gentiles rs
we'll as Norlnons: provided they
practice the irregularity in Terri
tory. The section, however, is aimed at
those Mornlens whe indulge in the lux
ury Of ''sealesl" wives. but nevertheless
may hit few outside Of the Church Of
Latter Dav Saints.
The fourth section excludes from the
Jury bOx any man who believes in the
practices of polygamous Mornons, in
trials where suits are instituted against
persons for bigamy or p0lygamy. The
fifth section authorizes the President to
grant amnesty to such persons As were
guilty Of biganv, polygamy or unlawful
rehabilitation prior to the passage Of this
act, under such conditions as he may
deem proper, but such conditions mast
h: complied with to make effective such
amnesty.
The sixth, section legitimatizes the
issues Of Mormon marriages in any Ter
ritory Of the United States, il such is
sues shall have been l.efOrc the first day
Of January n"xt.
The seventh section. which met the
greater opposition, notably from Mr..
Vest, If Missouri, reads as follows
That no lx,ly,amist, bigan'i-t or any
person cOllabi!i,y with more than enc
woman, and no woman collahiting with
any ri the PERSONS described aforesaid in
this section. in any Territory or other
place in which the United States have
exclusive jurisdiction, shall lie entitled
to vote at any election held in any s,,ril
acEIiVIN W ONHSI P!UESs Va wv SiIr""'-
for election or appointment t"r h' en-
liz. trust. honor or ciilO!ununt. under or
for any such Territory "rp!"ce or under
the United States.
This section Mr.. Vest ciain.e.! was TIL
republican III form and spirit, and Gem
t-ary t.: tine Constitution Of 1!Ie United
States, wherein thar it di~lrancl,istsl !:
citizen without due l'roc:ss "f law that
f! is. ii deprived man o: his vote without
first cOn:icting~ him o. an infamous
erim:. Although, Mr.. Vest did not vote
against tine bill, and expressed his alb
hor;amce Of the polygan.o,,> practices OF
! the A!orn,on<, he denounced I'M, section
! Of til. bill in mn,.e;asilre,l terms.
The eighth AMI last section o! the bill
provides for the government of Utah.
While every other c"ti"n Of tue bill! :,,-
plies to every Territory in tho United
States, this one i designed solely fer til"
. purpose 81 ousting from, Office Mormon
| officials in that Territory. 1t vac:.tcs
every elective Office in l'tais and author
izc~ the President to appoint five per-
sons, no three Of whom shall bclon to-
amy on" political ,arly, who shall c"n>ti-
tu.ca board. whose duty It shall be to- at
tend to the registration of votes, the con-
duct Of elections. with power to receive
and object to vote, offered ut II utionS,
canvass tin: sam" ana i>>Ie certificates
. Of elections, u:,til ne.y Territorial leg
! islatlre shall have iv.., elected. This
Legislature "el.c:,"l mayhem make su"h
! laws not inconsisten. witt, the organic
law of the Territory or the constitution
Of the United States as it shall deem
proper concerning the holding o.: Office
in that Territory made vacant by the
act. The hill will probah!y pass the
House, hut it is very questionable wl,cth-
er it will effect the change in Utah
! which Sta int rn1lncar nnfic;natps