Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-06-26
Text of the Utah POlysamy Bill.

WASHINGTON, June 1S.-The Utah bill
as passed by the Senate provides that the
lawful husband or wife may be compelled
to testify in prosecutions for bigamy, po-
lygamy or unlawful cOhabitation. In such
prosecutions an attachment for witnesses
may be issued without previous subpoena
when it shall appear to the Judge that the
witness would unlawfully fail to obey
subpoena Bail may be accepted for the
appearance of such witness, and in any
case he OF she shall not be held longer than
ten days. Prosecutions may be commenc-
ed within five years after the commission
of the offense. Every marriage ceremony
in any territory OF the United States shall
be certified to in writing, which writing
shall state the full names of all the persons
taking part in the ceremony, and shall be
signed by them, and shall by the officer or
priest sOlemnizing the marriage be filed
with and recorded in the Probate court,
and such certificate shall be prima facie ev-
idence of the facts stated, and any viola
tion of this provision is punished by fine
of not more than 500, or imprisonment OF
not more than two years, or by both. Every
such certificate and record shall be at all
seasOnable times open to inspection; and
justices of the United States under like
penalty for refusal to exhibit for inspection.
Women shall not be entitled to vote In
Utah, and all measures OF the territorial
legislature providing for the numbering or
identifying the votes of electors are dlsap-
proved and annulled, but this provision is
not to preclude the lawful registration OF
voters or any other provisions Tor securing
fair election that do not involve the dis
closure of the person for whom the elector
voted. The probate court Is deprived OF
all jurisdiction aXcept as to estates OF de-
ceased persons and guardianship of person
and property of infants and lunatlcs. All
laws of the territory of Utah cOnterrlng
rights of inheritance ON illegitimate chill
dren are annulled territorial laws provid-
ing that prosecutions for adultery can only
be commenced on complaint of the hus-
band or wife are annulled, and all such
prosecutions may hereafter be instituted IN
the same way that prosecutions for other
crimes are. The acts Incorporating the
Mormon church are also annulled.
The President of the United States, with
the advice of the Senate, shall appoint
fourteen trustees for said corporation, who
shall have the same power as the trustees
and assistant trustees provided for IN the
act creating that corporation. They shall
| hold office for two years, and shall each
| give bonds in an amount to be fixed by
the Secretary of the Interior. The General
Assembly of Utah shall not have power
to change the laws respecting the corpora
ton without the approval Of Congress.
| In all proceedings for enforcement against
corporations or associations holding prop
| ip in
amount limited by law, the courts shall
have power to smmarily compel the pro
ductiOn of all books and accounts belong
ing to any trustee or manager OF property
in which such corporation may have any
right, title or interest. All laws OF Utah
relating to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund
Company are annulled, and it is rendered
unlawful for the Legislature of the Terri.
tory to create or recognize any corporation
or association having for its object the
bringing of persons into the Territory for
any purpose whatever.
The Attorney General is directed to in
stitute in the Supreme Court of the Terri
tory proceedings to dissolve the company
named and to dispose of its property and
assets according to law. Such property
and assets in excess of debts and lawful
claims established by the court shall
escheat to the United States and shall be
used by the Secretary of the Interior, under
direction of the President, for the benefit
of the public schools of the Territory. All
existing election districts in the Territory
are abolished and it is made the duty OF
the Governor, the Territorial Secretary
and the United States Judge of the Terri
tory to re-district the Territory so as to
secure equal representation of the people
No persons but properly qualified citizens
of the United States are entitled to vote IL
the Territory The bill declares vacant
tne offices of Territorial Superintendent of
the District Schools and vests the power o.
appoint to such official in the Supreme
Court. 1t provides a penalty for the crime
of adultery to be imprisonment in the
penitentiary for not exceeding three years
The right of a dover for widows is secured
by provisions similar to the dover law o
the State of New York.
The bill now goes to the House.