Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-12-06
Tho Utah COmmission.

The Board of Commissioners appointed by
the President under the act of March ~, 1882
entitled AN act to amend section $3.50 of the
Revised Statutes in reference to bigamy. and
for other purposes" report, that by action OF
the board under the provisions of said act all
persons practicing polygamy were excluded
from the polls; that the Legislature elected n
August last is composed entirely of Mormons
none of whom, however, are polygamsts.
The Legislature Will convene in january next.
The board reports also that at the August
election there were elected, in addition to the
members of the Legislature, probate Judges,
clerks of county courts, assessors, sheriifs,
county treasurers, county superintendentS of
schools, and officers numbering in all 800, all
of whom are monogamist Mormons. The
elections were conducted in a quiet and or
derly way. The vote in August last was, Nor.
mons, 2O,70S; liberals, or anti-Mormons, I,453.
This last vote, however, does not appear to
represent the real strength of the liberal
1854. -' '''' '''' " 90
The board report that the number of plural
marriages has decreased since the passage Of
1af Eli afl stYts nave been brought against tho
members of the board to test the Validity of
the act OF Congress. Some provision should
be made to defray the expense of the defense
of the boardi in these suits The board renew
many OF the suggestions in their former re-
port as to needed legislation, and, in conclu-
sion, commend the zeal of the Governor of
Utah in his efforts to enforce the law
Should the Legislature to assemble In Jauu-
ary next enact such laws as are provided for
in section Of the act of March 22, 1852, neces-
sity for such board will cease, for it is pro-
vided that they shall continue in office 'suntil
the Legislature shall make provision for
filling said offices as herein authorized" that
is, until the Legislature shall have enacted
such laws as shall prohibit all polygamists
from participating in the election of
public officers, Or from holding any such Of
fee. 1t is not provided who Shall determine
the question whether the Legislature Dro-
vided for the filling of said offices in accord
ance with the provisions of the said act or
not. 1t is not believed that the Legislature
will take the steps required; for, while it is
composed entirely of Mormons who do not
practice polygamy, it is undoubtedly true
that they are all believers in the system of
practice from economical or prudential rea-
sons. Should the Legislature fail to take the
steps required by the act. the necessity still
exists for the services of the board,
and it appears to be necessary that such
legislation, If attempted. should be sub
mitted to some tribunal to determine
whether such legislation is compliance
with the provisions Of said act Con-
gress would appear to be the proper author.
ity for the determination of this question, and
therefore recommend that Congress REQUIRE
the submission of such laws for its approval
before they shall be considered by any de-
partment of the Government a compliance
with the requirements of the provisions of
such act
The report concludes with review of the
Yellowstone National Park, the Hot Springs,
the work of the Tenth Census, and the Bene-
ficiary Institutions-all of which have been
thoroughly discussed by the press, and are
fully understood by the general public.