Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-31
FROM WASHINGTON.
POLYGAMY.
RepoFt Of the Commission Appointed by
President Arthur.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 80.
The commissioners appointed BY Presl-
dent Arthur under the anti-polygamy act OF
last year. have submitted their annual re-
ports. At the general election in Utah, Aug
s, 1888 they were as successful In excluding
polygamists az at the previous year election,
when SEINE II 600 persons were denied the
privilege of voting. They consider the theo-
~ of the act of March %. 1852, to be thar
discrimination between those Mormons VINO
practice poIygamy and those who do not,
placing a stigma upon the former and de-
priving them of the right of suffrage. as well
~ the right to hold Office, while on the other
hand an inducement is held out to the latter
class that BY abstaining from the polygamic
religion they will enjoy all the political
rights of American citizens, would IN time
have the effect of inducing great numbers OF
Mormon people to refrain from plural marrl-
ages Few, if any, illegal votes have been
cast in Utah since the commission took
charge OF the registrations and elections IN
Apou,t. 1882. As to the declared act of
Congress as therein set forth, so far as II ap-
pertains to our duties, il is not denied that
the operation of the act has been universally
successful; that il to say, polygamlsts have
all been excluded from the polls and from ell
igibilitv to office. The commission believe
that q nldrrl3gc eDdctcu w SohsiSSo "Oo'N
be an excellent auxiliary in the suppression
of polyga 1t is asserted and generally
believed BY non- MormOns in this territory
that plural marriages are still practiced here
in secret.
We would recommend that Congress enact
a law declaring all future marriages in this
territory null and void unless they are con-
tracted and evidenced in the manner provld-
ed By the act. All marriages shall be sol
emnized in designated public places, witness
ed and registered in such public offices as to
make the proof of the marriage morally GER
tain In regard to female suffrage, the re-
port says, without expressing any opinion
on the question of woman suffrage in gener-
al, we are satisfied that, owing to the peculiar
state of affairs in Utah, this law is an OBJ
struction to the speedy solution OF the vexed
question. In the prosecution OF polygamy
cases here. it is difficult to prove the first or
legal marriage.
We would suggest as a remedy that the
first or legal wife be declared by act of Con-
gress. In case of failure of the legislative
assembly at its next session to make the re-
auisite laws governing the elections the COM
mission believes that Congress should adopt
extraordinary measures to compel the o.
servance of the law in Utah. The present
legislature is composed wholly of MormOns,
none of whom, however, live in pOlygamy.
They note large decrease in the liberal
(Gentile) vote at the August election and de-
plore the fact that BY proper management.one
or more non-MormOns might have been
elected to the legislative assembly who would
have the opportunity Of putting the majority
on record. The commission say they have
reason to believe that there has been com
parative decrease in the number of polygamic
marriages since the passage of the Edmunds
act Bv this and such other legislation as
we have indicated they will give the govern
ment assurance of their loyalty and patriotism
and avert the contest. In conclusion we
consider it proper to commend the zeal OF
Governor of Utah in his efforts to enforce the
laws.