National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-30
MoRNfoNs WEAKENING.
Encouraging Report OF the Utah Conn
misainnera Upon TheIr Lnhora.

Encouraging Report OF the Utah Conn
missioners Upon Their Labors.
The gentlemen composing the Utah COM
mission have made report to Secretary
Teller in regard to the condition of affairs in
the territory under the operation Of federal
legislation designed to oxtirpate polygamy,
After stating that the territorial legislature
adjourned March IA without passing any laws
required by the act of congress of March 22,
1852, tho commissioners say;
Prior to the time whom this board took charge
Utah, in August, 1882, nearly oil the principal
Offices in the territory were held by polygamists.
The Legislative assembly Of 1882 consisting OF
the exception OF two or three. Other offices, such
MS delegate 10 congress and territorial, county,
and municipal offices, were filled by polygamists
In about the same proportion. The doctrine OF
rotation IN office was almost unknown in Utah,
nd many Of the poygamists had been kept in
tn same Offices from youth to old age. All this
is changed under this act. Since this commission
entered upon its duties there have been elected In
the territory 1881 officers not one ofwhom is
polygamist, In this number arc included 800
municipal officers We have estimated the num-
Der Of voters, male and female, who have been
disiranChised by reason OF polygamy mt 1000, and
there is not now polygamist in Office In Utah.
The commissioners state as their opinion
that the leading polygaments feel their loss
of position kcenly, and are making desperate
efforts to retain their influence by holding
numerous public meetings throughout the
territory, and exhorting tho faithful to
stand firm against national legslati on,
members of tho board. But they
think tho change in the holding
element resulting in bringing young men,
who are non-polyamists. to tho front, has
materially weakened tho influence of the
elders, and that a material change for the
better is taking place, especially in the
direction of rendering polygamy something
to DO ashamed of. Concerning the practice
Of polygamy at present they say:
Whether the actual practice of polygamy is on
the decrease or not is disputed question. Since
| our last report we have made additional invesi-
cation and we are the opinion mat ia .he more
territory there has not been much decrease while
| IN salt Lake county and other counties where
tDore are considerable cities and towns there has
| been decided decrease.
| In considering this question the public should
not expect any considerable change ns the immo
dne result of the present laws Of congress, nor OF
any legislation that is likely TO be devised. Such
| legislation will not speedily induce the Mormon
! Ing the marriage relations and other so-caled
"revola tons"
Tho most that can be predcated Of such legis-
lation Is, that IL will in connection with other i'll
! fluences, place the obnoxious features of "Nor'
monism" in condition of gradual declension
and final extinction.
In presenting tins view of the condition of Utah
honorable mention is due TO the many Christian
denominations that have established colleges
schools, and churches in Salt Lake City and many
other parts of the territory. Among these are
churches or schools maintained by the Presby.
terians, Methodists, Congregationaliss. Episco
palians, Baptists, Catholics, and perhaps others
all, or nearly all, of which has been accomplished
within the last fifteen years. Some one more o.
these churches and schools may be found in nearly
all the principal cities and town OF the territory
, and nre chiefly supported by the benevolcnce o
| the people and the churches OF the states. Thest
are In addition to the common schools, established
| by the Mormons by legislative authority. The
| UNCONVENTIONAL schools now number 40, with ar
average daily attendance of nearly 5000 pupils
many Of whom are the children of Mormon pa
| rents. These schools are distributed as follows
Episcopal, 8; Methodist, 10 Congregational, &c
Presbyterian So; Baptist, q Catholic, l.
In conclusion the commissioners recon
mend the passage Of a law giving the first, oil
legal. wife the right of dover rs at common
law. or some other equivalent in terest in til,
real estate of her husband. They also
suggest that to facilitate the execution of tn,
punitory provisions of the law the dc
partment of justice should be furnished
fund to be specially applied Il
that purpose. The justices Of the peace beinl
nearly all Mormons 1t IS suggested that i
would be an act of justice" to confer concur
rent civil and criminal jurisdiction upon tn,
United States commissioners They also say
1--WE would suggest the advisability of con
sidering law for the appointment by tn
governor of district judges of certain terri
torial and. county officers who are now cleo
tive"
The report is signed by Alexander Ramsey
G. L. Godfrey, A. B. Carlton, aud j. r. Petit
grew.