Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-01-28
TIE VULTUREs' NEST IN THE WASATCH
MOUNTAINS
Mormon legislature introducing Bill
Pretense of Patriotism

MOUNTAINS.
Mormon Legislature-Introducing Bill
Pretense Of Patriotism-Legis-
latiou-Etc
Regular Correspondence of the RECORD. UNION. ]
SALT LAKE, January 81, 1882.
The Mormon Legislature has now been
under way for couple OF weeks, and up
to the present writing only one bill of any
importance has been passed, and that was
simply to patch up the clumsy legislation
relative to the liquor license question in
dulged in at the last session. Three-fourths
of this Legislature is composed of men
living in open polygamy.
A few days ago reporter on one of the
LEGAL papers wrote burlesque of the legis-
lative proceedings, and laid himself out to
concoct some funny and unheard of situa.
tions. 1t appeared very ludicrous until
the reader perused the bona tide report of
the proceedings in the next column. The
true account took the wind out of the bur
lesque, and truth was funnier than fiction.
At the opening of the session motion
was made to adopt Jetferson's Manual as
the rules of the House, when an old gray
headed member from San Pete county un-
imbered himself and spoke against the
motion: "Bretherin (the polygs always
call each other brothers), we have gone
along for years without any rules, and it
seems to me rather late in the day to spring
rules ON this honorable body. What are
rules for anyway? Only to hamper bust
ness and enable lot of young men to
spring lot of objections on our delibera-
tions. How does a man feel when
he is making speech, to have
some gosling from Salt Lake county get up
with point of order? We have worked
for years without rules and we can work
foryear more. What is thisJ JeffeT son annu-
a! anyhow? What has jefferson, or any
other man, for that matter, not member,
got to do with this honorable body? No
man, or set of men, can cram rules down
my throat
At this bold speech several of the COW
county members applauded vigorously. Tie
motion to have rules passed by two ma
jority, but came very near being killed by
an amendment authorizing the Sergeant
tions governing the deliberations of the
House.
INTRODUCING A BILL.
The regular Speaker of the House is man
of considerable ability and not at all green
in legislative ways. A few days ago, how
ever, he was obliged to go home on account
OF sickness in his family, and chronic OBJ.
structor of business named Parr was
elected Speaker pro tenn. A bill was in
troduced to prevent stock and poultry
from running at large and it took the fol.
| lowing course :
Member from Beaver-Mr. Speaker, ]
want TO introduce pound bill.
The Speaker-All right. If it's a good
bill there won't be no objection. Pass il
right up.
The bill was accordingly "passed right
up, " and the Speaker. putting on his spec
taclss, read it over very carefully, the
reading occupying about ten minutes.
. All right" he said, finally "I guess
it's good bill Mr.. Clerk, read it to tn,
| House"
The Clerk took the bill, but having some
writing to do, merely remarked &c Thatl
be all right, and laid the bill down on the
table, but within reach in case it was evel
wanted.
The members went on writing for about
fifteen minutes, when the author OF the
BILL getting impatient, called for it and the
Clerk read it.
The bill provided that cattle, horses,
goats and poultry should be impounded
when caught running loose. After the
reading the author did not know what mo-
tion to make, ard so it was laid down again
for a while, when some one rose up with
move we suspend the rules and pass
the bill" At this the man who had
fought the introduction of rules, sprang up
with
You've agreed to have rules, and
now you've got to stick to 'em. l move
we don't suspend rule. :"
Cant we suspend part of the rules ??
queried another {" That is, Just enough to
let the bill pass, and let the rest stand in
case we needed 'em."
At this there was not smile anywhere,
and wrangle began as to what particular
rules it would be necessary to suspend
in order to insure the passage of the bill
As the bill seemed to be in fair way to
pass, some one asked how policeman or a
sheriff could catch poultry, and it was re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee to see if
such a law would hold water. The Chap.
Jain pronounced the benediction and the
House adjourned
NO LOBBYISTS IN ZION.
One peculiar feature of the legislative ses-
sion is the absence of the lobbyist. The oc-
cupation of the promoter is gone, all the
lobbying necessary being done by John
Taylor and a few of his aids. The bills
necessary for the welfare of Zion are
framed months before the session meets
and fully discussed in the Grand Council
Chamber of the Mormon Church. They are
then handed to some of the members. and
slide through the Legislature like greasy
polygamist through the Endowment House.
No man ever thinks of voting against
bill once introduced, for no bill is ever
heard of which has not been first sanctioned