Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1884-12-23
THE ANTI MORMON BILL.
1T PASSES BOTH Houses By A
LARGE MAJORITY.
4 Mormon Members Defense Of His
People-1hpy Have a Right 10 Take
AZ Many Wives ~ They Pl,ase--1hc
Ladies OF Boise Wiley Slamdered.

| ho '"t'i"dtcu III MY iiIst, tue S'tO1ect
Of appropriate anti Mormon legisla-
ton las taken the precedence over
local measures, and seems now to be
tie all-absorbing topic. The Council
lobby has been popular resort dur:
ing the last three days, and those who
have been in attendance have been
highly entertained by the eloquent
and logical arguments delivered bv
members Of that body IN support of
Council Bill entitled Gan Act to pie
scribe official oaths of ofiicers.' The
provisions of this Act require every
county officer throughout the Terri
tory to take an oath that he is not a
biganist or polygamist; that he is not
a member of any order, sect or organ
ization which teaches, advises or en-
conrages the practice Of hi gamy or
polyyamy, or any other crime defined
by law, as duty or privilege result
ing or arising from the faith or prac-
tlcc of such order, sect or organiza.
ton, and would certainly prevent any
Mormon from holding Office except by
committing perjury.
Mr.. Hart, the Mormon member from
Bear Lake county, opposed the bill
upon the ground that it is uncons.i-
tutonal and was intended to deprive
his people Of al inalenable right
granted by the Constitution of the
United States, viz: that of Worship
ping God according to the dictates of
their own consciences. de stated that
his people could not take such an
oath and would therefore be isuual-
fed for office.
This statement is considered with "A
degree of Incredibly by persons who
believe that a Mormon would take any
oath that might be to the interest of
his alleged religion.
Hon. II. W. Smith, Of Oneida, the
uut!.or Of the bill, addressed the Com
mittee Of the Whole in it's behalf on
Friday. He spoke at some length,
occupying about an hour. He quoted
abundant authority and precedent for
the enactment of such bill, consi3er
ing mainly the c"nsti;utionality of the
bill. His manner is attractive and
pleasant, his delivery that of trained
orator, and his argument clear, con-
else, logical and convincing. Not a
doubt was left in any fair mind of the
right of the people to enact such a
law. All unite in pronouncing this
argument the best ever delivered here
on the subject. Mr.. Smith showed
clearly enough that he has carefully
studied every law and precedent that
could have any bearing on the matter
The bill was further considered bv
the Council in Committee of the
Whole Yesterday, and was ably sup,
ported by Colonel Wood Of Lemhi,
President of the Council. The Colonel
treated the matter in his accustomed
deliberate eloquence. His every re-
mark carried with it conviction and
that would reach the heart
o; the most hardened sinner. His
style is pleasant, and his assertions are
invariably backed by facts impossible
TO mis.onstrue.
Judge Brearev, Of Alturas, in the
role of the able and talented jurist
that he is, with commendable caution
every poiL. in the bill that
:ould possibly be assaulted on account
If alleged unconstltutionalitv, and at
his suggestion those parts which he
ilscerned were strengthened and
amended.
MIR. Poage, of Idaho county, lead,
ing Democrat, deserves the admiration
Of all for his support given the bill.
Actuated by the highest principle
that of right--his action is made es-
pecially noteworthy by the fact that
he leaders of his party have brought
% bear upon him every argument that
could be conceived by an association
# shire wd politioians-but to no pur-
BOSE.
Mr.. Hart followed Mr.. Poage in the
ole of nartyr in an act which sa.
'ored both of the tragical and comic.
lie regretted apprcciably his loneli
,ess, but preserved his individuality
hroughou, the scene. He made the
anomalous assertion to Boise City