The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-02-23
XLvIIth CONGRESS.
SENATE
(FIRsT SESSION.

The following bills were passed: Articles of
war, imposing limitation at two years from
date OF enlistment against prosecution for de-
sertion; to promote the efficiency of the navy;
to provide for the sale of lands of the Miami
Indians In Kansas Senator Dawes, by special
assignment, addressed the Senate in favor of
civil service reform, after which the bill was re-
ferred to the Committee on Civil Service. Mr..
Plumb, from the Committee on Public Lands,
reported favorably the bill to provide for the
payment of what is known as the per cent.
claim of public lands by the States in regard to
land entered within their limits by military
scrip and land warrants.
Mr.. Vance made speech on the tariff in which
he deplored the burdens of a high protective
policy, which fell with the greatest weight
upon the agricultural class, and did more to
fetard the growth and impair the wealth of the
South than any other cause. Mr.. Edmunds
made several Intellectual attempts to have the
anti-polygamy bill considered. Mr.. Morgan
offered q resolution, which was referred, re-
questing the President to bring to the attention
Of the Government of Nicaragua the necessity
of arranging by convention for final settle
ment of all unadjusted claims existing between
the United States and Nicaragua, and of citi-
zens of either Of said governments against
other governments.
In the discussion of the anti-polygamy bill,
Mr.. Vest said the seventh section of the bill de-
claring polygamists ineligible to Office or suf-
frage, proposed to take away the rights of citi-
zens of the United States for past offenses
without trial or conviction for the offense The
Senator from Delaware (Mr. Bayard) had said
that Territorial reorganization was analogous
to original organization, when Congress has
right to impose such conditions as we're now
proposed, but he (Mr. Vest) denied there was
any analogy. The doctrine that the right to
vote and to hold Office in this country when
once offered could be taken away was some
thing he had never known to be broached be-
fore, and he denounced it as an arbitrary,
despotic and unconstitutional declara-
ton. he was opposed to polygamy,
but, in his adherence Of it, he would
be careful not to strike down safeguards Of
personal liberty. In reply Mr.. Garland said it
was complained that the provisions of the bill
were severe and rough, but he would say they
were intended to be severe and rough, and
they were, nevertheless, sanctioned by prece-
dents and the organic law. The grant of
power given to Congress, "to make all needful
rules and regulations respecting Territories"
gave it unlimited control in the Territories,
''Let it 60 to the world, he added, "that Con-
gress recognizes the organization of Terri
tory founded upon the theory that one man
is inspired by God for certain purposes, and
we may burn our statute books and give full
license to inspirations of murderers everywhere
So long as it retained it's distinctive features
Utah government could not by any possibility
be republican" -
Senator Edmunds' anti-polygamy bill was
discussed at great length. Mr.. Vest denounced
the bill as in its every feature bill Of attain
| der Gnficting punishment without judicial
triaD which was prohibited by the Constitu-
| ton. He would not give his vote for the prin-
ciples of the bill, though upon his assent to it
| should depend his future political life. He be-
lieved it would substitute for an anti-republican
| government in Utah an anti-republican star
| chamber arrangement. Mr.. Pendleton
| objected SO several features of the
| bill, and particularly to the one excluding
| from the jury-box known polygamists in trials
| for polygamy, etc. He said that this bill dis
criminated against a man faithful to several
| wives and in favor Of one holding adulterous
| relations. He regarded the measure, for the
| reasons he stated, as intended to secure pun
ishment of crimes without conviction there
| fore, he gave notice of an amendment in these
| respects. Mr.. Sherman said he would vote for
| the bill, but doubted its effectiveness. He
believed the time would come, and that it was
| not far distant, when some of the Saints
| in authority in Utah would have . new revela-
| ton from source all would recognize,
| and that in this way we would get rid OF
| polygamy by the voluntary action Of its sup
| porters. The remaining committee amendments
| and several sections Of the bill were then
agreed to without further debate, and the bill
| reported to the Senate as from the COMMITTEES
| of the whole. Several amendments were pro
posed and defeated by decisive votes, and aftel
. Encouragement Of its sections the bill finally
passed by q uiUa Uoce vote, in which no negative
responses were heard