Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-12-03
Report Of the Utah Commission.

report OF inc Bttil COMMISSION.
WAsu1yGroN, December 2d-Thc report
of the Utah Commission is made public.
it states that the duties imposed on the
Commission at the recent election We're
successfully performed, and that all polyg-
amists We're excluded from voting, and
continues as follows: " After more than
two years Labor and experience here. it
becomes our duty to advise the Govern
ment and country that although the law
has been successfully administered in re-
spect of the disiranchisement Of polyga-
mistS the effect of the same upon the
preaching and practice OF polyEamy has not
been of 4 character TO improve the former
or decrease the latter. During the present
year there appears to have been a polyg-
amist revival The institution is boldly
and defiantly defended and commended by
the spiritual teachers, and plural marriages
are reported to have increased in number
A considerable portion of the report is
devoted to an account of the recent trial
and conviction of Rudger CIaWson, which
the Commission think will have a restrain
ing influence upon young Mormons. 1t
is not unlikely" says the report, that
finally the Federal Government will find it
necessary TO take into its own hands all
civil power in this Territory. For the
present however, we advise only that the
offices of Territorial Auditor and Treasurer
should be definitely defined by Congress as
offices 10 be filed by appointment, and we
may remark III this connection, that, al
though the organic act would seem to leave
no doubt as to the right of appointment,
the Commission has persistently refused
to recognize the right of an cleo
ton under the law, and the local
Courts have sustained this view.
requires that all nominations by the Gov
ernor shall be confirmed by the Legislative
Council. The Council is always the crea-
ture OF the Mormon power; hence no suit
able appointments can be secured. The
Governor and Commission, acting respect
lively as nominating and confirming pow
ers. would insure such appointments as
would be effective aid in the effort of the
Federal Government to overthrow poly g
amy For the Courts after comforting
with the Judges and District Attorney of
the district, we recommend;
First--That the provisions of the law of 1871.
relative to juries and the mode OF selection, be
revised, either by providing for 4 greater num-
ber OF jurors OF by authorizing an open yenire
when the names in the box have been exhaust
ed. A better provision, perhaps, would be one
authorizing an open YenTe in all cases prose
cuted by the United States.
Seeond-Ihe jurisdiction of the several Dis
trict Courts ought to be extended, so as to give
each Jurisdiction all cases of polygamy wher-
ever in the Territory the crime may have been
committed.
Thrd-In United States cases the Territorial
Courts should be invested with power coexteE-
siye with that possessed by the United States
Circuit and District Courts. i'll the several States,
in matters of contempt and the punishment
thereof
Fourth-Prosecutions for polygamy should be
exempted from the operation of the general
limitation laws, certainly while the parties con-
tinue to live in polygamy. The statute should
not run against the principal crime polygamy.
Fifth-The process by subpoena, in all cases
prosecuted by the United States, should run
from the Territorial Courts into any other dis
trict of the United States.
Sixth--Proyision should be made for binding
over witnesses on the part of the Government
in all United States eases TO appear and testify
III the trial.
Seyenth--When Il continuance is granted,
upon motion of the defendant provision should
be made for taking the depositions of witnesses
on the part of the Government, with oppor