The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-01-25
ANTI-POLYGAMY.
. nstract Of Senator. Edmpnd,s Bill.

Abstract OF Senator Edmunds Bill.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-The anti-polygamy
bill reported by Mr.. Edmunds, from the SEN
ate judiciary committee, to-day, provides that
the first part of Section 1852 of the revised
statutes shall be amended SO as to read as fol-
lows:
Every person who has husband or wife living
who in the Territory other place which the
United Sta es have exclusive jurisdiction hereafter
marries another whether married or single; and
any man who hereafter simultaneously or on the
same day marries more than one woman in the Ter
rtory or other place over which the United States
have exclusive jurisdiction is guilty OF polygamy
and shall be punished by fine of not more than
$500 and by imprisonment for term of not more
than fvelyears."
Sections and 8 provide that if any male
person in the Territory or other place over
which the United States have exclusive juris-
diction hereafter cohabits with more than one
woman he shall be deemed guilty of misde-
meanor and on conviction thereof shall be pun
ished by a fine of not more than $500 or by an
imprisonment of not more than six months or
both: said punishments in the discretion of
the court.
The 4th section provides in substance that
in any prosecution for bigamy, polygamy or
unlawful cohabitation under any statute
of the United States it shall be a sufficient
cause OF challenge to any person drawn or
summoned as juryman or talesman that he
has been living in such practices or relations,
or that he believes it right for C man to have
more than one living and undivorced wife at
the same time or to live in the practice of CO.
habiting with more than one woman.
Section B. The President is hereby author
lied to grant amnesty to such classes of often
ders as were guilty before the passage of the
act of bigamy, polygamy or unlawful cohabit-
alton on such conditions and under such liml-
tations as he shall think proper, but no such
amnesty shall have any effect unless the con-
ditions thereof shall be complied with.
Section g. That the issue Of bigamous or
polygamous marriages, known as Mormon
marriages, in cases in which such marriages
of the Mormon sect in any Territory of the
United States, and such issue which shall have
been born before the LIST day of January, 1883,
are hereby legitimatized.
Section Z. That no polygamist, bigamist or
any person cohabiting with more than one
woman, and no woman cohabiting with any
persons described as aforesaid in this section in
any Territory or other place in which the
United States have exclusive jurisdiction shall
be entitled to vote at any election held in any
such Territory or any other place or be eligible
for election or appointment to or entitled to
hold any Office or place of public trust, honor
or emolument IN, under or for any such Terri
tory or place or under the United States.
The Sth and last section of the bill vacates
all registration and election of officers of every
description in the Territory of Utah and it de-
wolves upon board of five persons Ito be APP
pointed BY the President and confirmed by the
Senale) each and every duty relating to the
registration OF voters, conduct OF elections, re-
ceiving or rejection of votes, canvasSing of the
same and issuance of certificates of election
until new Territorial legislature shall have
been elected, and in conclusion it is provided
that SAT and after the first meeting OF said
legislative Assembly whose members shall have
been elected and returned according to the
provisions of this act said legislative assembly
uay much such laws conformable to the organ
ic act Of said Territory aud not inconsistent
with other laws of The United States as it shall
deem proper concerning the iIiing of offices in
said Territory declared vacant by this ACT"