The Evening critic., 1882-01-11
THE MORMON QUESTION.
A spicy Discussion i'm the House
Yesterday.

was under consideration.
Mr.. IIiscock, in the course of some re.
marks commented upon the speech made
in the morning by his colleague. He (Mr.
Cox said that for twenty years polygamy
had thriven, and argued that the system
was so pemicious that it needed to be
stamped out, though his argument had
been in favor of it.
Mr.. Cox-You will allow me to correct
you. ] said this That the people of Utah
had their virtues in spite Of their pO-
lygamy-this sore point Oh the body po-
litic.
Mr.. Hiscock k-Infcrontally and insidi-
ously there was one remark of the gentle.
man in defense of that institution, but |
am glad if was mistaken.
Mr.. Cox-The gentleman misunderstood
me and misinterpreted me. don't sup
pose he did it purposely.
Mr.. Hiscock-I accept the gentlomans
explanation.
Mr.. Cox-Therc is no explanation to be
accepted.
Mr.. Hiscock-I am glad the gentleman
is put on tho record as being opposed to
polygamy. / understood from his remarks
that he was upholding 1t.
Mr. Cox-Not one man of intelligence
understood il in that way.
Mr.. Hiscock-Many within my hearing
that heard the gentleman's remarks did so
construe his position.
Mr.. Cox-Name another man.
Mr.. Uiscock-I don't want to enter into
n colloquy with the gentleman. OF the
10000 Mormons in the Territory, $4,000
at least are of foreign birth, and 10000 are
the result of polygamous intercourse be-
tween foreign parents. The States of this
Union only contribute to that community
some 5000 or 1000. Here is the great cess
pool in our country, which is receiving
daily contributions, if not from the evil,
vet from the ignorant of every European
nation: and if the question should be fairly
presented here whether this organization
should have representation on this floor !
am unpreparcd to state now how l should
vote
Mr.. Cox-There is not man who did
not understand me to declare as q Repre-
sentative from the city of New York, and
not representing the Oneida Community
representing what l considered to be de-
cency in the organization of life-that /
held all matters referring to politics to be
extraneous to the consideration of this
question. pledged this side of the House,
so far as l could do it, to vote for every
measure calculated to rid the country of
this horrible black stain. l said it then, |
repeat it now; and my colleague knows, if
he knows anything Of the history OF this
side of the House, that we have been just
as derelict and just as ready as the Re-
| publican side has been. l say before this
| House and the country that the great bond
of human society, in my Judgment draw
| ing from the best writers and the holiest
religion), knowing what l know as to the
bond which the child has for his mother
and father, that the monogamic marriage
| is the only bond given under heaven for
the protection of society. AS love my
own mother, as / respect the late President
Garfield, whose kiss yet fingers on the lips
| of his mother, by all that is sacred and
holy, pledge to my colleague every en-
deavor on this side to eradicate this evil.
| Loud applause, in which Mr.. Hiscock
| joined. / am glad to have my colleagues
applause. ] am glad to welcome him along
with those who will do what they can for
their country, and there is no need of his
saying anything more to place me in a
| false position. Laughter
Mr.. Robeson-The gentleman has re-
| treated somewhat from the glorious posi-
tion which he advanced without intention,
/ suppose. The gentleman did say, and he
| will not deny it, that, while polygamy was
blot on the body-politic, it had some vir-
tues which did not belong to other COM
munities and, Notwithstanding that he
represents a great manufacturing and in
dustrial district, he instanced it by giving,
as an example, the quality of industry as a
| nIiCh DSlOhSSu W y l.ih ahN hob w
other communities.
Mr.. Cox-Oh, no.
Mr.. Robeson--My friend did not mean all
that, know.
Mr.. Cox-And did not say it.
Mr.. Robeson--He has too much respect
for that hard handed labor which has built
up the community which he represents,
where nations gather to the anvils stroke
and cities rise around the loom. Applause.
% hat nil of M nj
can industry be compared for
moment with any virtue which
is to be found alone in the Territory OF
Utah. When this Government shall
come to deal directly with the question OF
organized and insolent pride and defiance
of law, whether it shelters itself among the
natural fastnesses and physical defenses o.
distant Territory or behind the mora
and political defenses Of political sophistry
or pretended religion, we will be found, as
party and as nation, ready to deal with
it as the dominant and respectable Nation
of the nineteenth century on this conti-
nent, which has advanced to the present
proud position along the pathway of Chris.
tian civilization and in the light of that
beautiful religion which for 800 years has
illuminated the hearts and elevated the
minds of the greatest of mankind, and
from which as centre of a spirit of liberal
philanthropy and loving kindness has
radiated to the remotest boundaries Of civ
ilization. We are not now dealing with
this question, and though this discussion
has revealed somewhat of the attitude o
parties, of which the country will take
notice yet just where we stand is on
plain, dry, matter of-faot legal question
which is important because it may govern
the future action Of this House aud tn,
future organization of parties.
Mr.. Robeson, of New Jersey, then entered
into a discussion Of the case under consider
alton. He had come fully Co the conclusion
that the certificate held by Mr.. Campbell III
was founded on the decision by the gov
ernor Of outside questions, which he wa
not by law authorized to decide, aud
which, when they were disputed, made
contest which must, under the rules ant
practice of the House, be referred to thu
Committee ON Elections.
Mr.. Haskell then demanded the previous
question, which, being seconded cut Oh MI
Marsh, who desired to offer resolution
directing the Committee on Elections T.
report on the fact whether either Of tn
claimants were practical polygamists
Mr.. Haskell then stated that he desire
TO offer a resolution giving certain instrUC
tions TO the Committee on Elections in cas-
the matter was referred to it. 1t was read
as follows:
Whereas pOlygamy has been for many year
! and "a now practiced In several OF the Te
ritories Of the United States in cOntraventiO
Of the laws thereof section 1882 Revise
statutes)i and
Whereas there has been admitted INT
former Congresses Of the United Statos a Del