The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-02
THE POLYGAMISTS OF UTAH.
Report of the Commission as to Meas
ures for Eradicating Mormonism.
Encouraging Progress Made in the Work
Difficulties Encountered and Hindrances
in the Way of the Federal Court.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 31.-The Utah Commits
sion through its chairman. Alexander Ramsey,
has submitted to the Secretary of the Interior
its annual report upon the transactions and
proceedings of the Commission since November
1S 1884, the date of the last report. The re-
port begins with the statement that the usual
annual revisions of the Utah registration lists
for the present year were duly and thoroughly
made by the officers of the board, and the gener-
al election was held or August g. last. No per-
son living in the practice of polygamy was al
lowed to register vote, nor was any such per-
son elected or commissioned to any Office.
This point therefore. has been surely reached,
says the Commission. that the name of polyga-
mist cannot be found upon the registration lists,
and none of this class are holding Office.
Nevertheless, it is true that nearly all the of
hcers chosen at the last and other preceding
elections are Mormons, who, while they do not
actually live in polygamy, subscribe to the doc
trine OF polygamous marriages as divine reve-
laton-a law unto all-higher and more binding
upon the conscience than any human law.
A notable exception, however, occurred in Sum-
nit county, where the entire non Mormon tick
ct. including a member of the House of Repre-
Sentatives of the Assembly, was elected. This
representative was the first non Mormon elected
for many years. The Commission refers to the
recent decision of the Supreme Court in the
polygamy cases as a timely and valuable inter
probation of the law. 1t is believed that there
have been very few polygamous marriages dur
ing the present year but it is not regarded AS
prudent to look upon this fact as indicating
anything more than suspension of the
practice, resulting from the vigorous
forcement Of the law, and not
actual surrender occasioned by general and de-
cided change of sentiment regarding the doctrine
itself. Indeed it is believed that if all operations
by the Commission and courts under the present
law should at once cease, or even if a hating,
hesitating policy should take the place of the
vigorous one In force it is altogether probable
that plural marriages would again become very
general in Utah. The firm attitude of the gov
eminent. and the faithful execution of the laws
sustained by public sentiment, have exerted in
the past year repressive influence upon the
Mormon people never before experienced by
them since their establishment in Utah. The
course of certain polygamiStS who have declared
their intention of obeying the law in future,
thereby mourning the wrath of the church. is
cited as evidence of internal dissension which,
although feeble is an encouraging feature of
the situation.
Every step forward by the government, says
the Commission, will give more strength and
courage to the men whose desire is to respect
and obey the law. single step backward in
legislation or administration will help the church
to crush this growing spirit of opposition, and
perhaps lose TO the movement against pOlyGamv
all that has been gained by the passage of the
Edmunds act
The report pays a high tribute to the zeal and
success of the present. officers of the federal
court Within two years eighty-three indict-
mentS have been found for poySamy and I'M
lawful cohabtation. There have been twenty
three convictions and forty three cases are now
awaiting trial. The great increase of business
before the federal court at Salt Lake City, re-
sulting from the prosecution of polygamy cases,
has adj hot &la Nf
additional judge should be authorized by
Congress 1t is regretted that the prosecuting
attorney and mis- assistant nave found it neces-
sary to tender their designations, owing to the
Inadequate remuneration for their services
The Commission reply at some length to the
allegations made oy defenders Of polygamy that
the prosecutions under the Edmunds act are d-
rected solely against those who maintain the
polygamous relations, and that alleged derelic
tons by other persons are not investigated. The
burden OF their rejOinder is that the law was not
directed against individual lascivous practices.
but against the assault by the Mormon Church
upon the monogamic system. Little hope is en-
tertalned, in view of the past action of the Legis
latve Assembly. that it WILL this winter provide
for filling the offices declared vacant by the Ed
munds act Not the least obstacle in the en-
forcement of the law is found in the fact that
the legislative power is arrayed in all its force
and strength against the desires of the people
and government. and no helpful legislation can
be expected, although the Legislature is sup
ported by the national treasury.
The Commission renew all of the recommended
tons contained in the Senate bill No 1888
(which failed of passage in the House of Repre-
sent atlves during The last session. and in their
report OF last year. and submit the following adj
dltional recommendations: That the term of
Imprisonment for unlawful cohabitaton be ex-
tended to at least two years for the first and
three years for the second offense and that all
persons be excluded by law from making loca-
ton or settlement upon any part of the lands of
the United States who shall refuse, on demand,
to take oath before the proper officer of the
Land Office that he If n man) does not cohabit
with more than one woman In the marriage
laton, and will support the laws of the United
States. or (if woman) that she does not
habit with man having more than one living
and undivorced wife, that the laws with refer
ence to the immigration of Chinese ard the i'm
portatlon of contract laborers, pauperS and
criminals be so amended as to prevent the immi-
grafton of persons claiming that their religion
teaches and justfes the crinN of poygamy,
as this would cut off the chief source of supply
to the Mormon Church.
The Commission say that they have felt it to be
their duty to resist the general demand of the
non Mormons in the Territory that they should
recommend legislation that would place the ex-
ercise of all civil power in the HANDS of legisa-
tive commission appointed by the President I'M
til the Edmunds act had been fairly tested. The
hope had been INDUCED that the Mormons would
finally see their line of duty in yielding a willing
acquiescenee to the law, but the result has been
disappointment so far as the leaders of the
church and the principal part Of their following
are concerned. The declaration, often repeated
during the past year by the chief
officers of the church. that it is the
If settled determination to refuse
obedience to the law; the persistent use of their
great power and influence to defeat all
efforts from within as we'll as form
without the church to put an end to
poygamy. and their persecution of those per-
sons who desire to obey the law, have convinced
the Commission that some more decisive plan to
reduce the powers of the polygamic element.
and to pondingly increase that of the fed
eral authority in the civil government of Utah
should be presented TO Congress at this time for
its action. In addition to the legislative COM
mission plan above referred to, two others have
been suggested: the appointment plan, making
appointabe all Offices now filled by election and
the Idaho plan, DISTINGUISHING all contributors