Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1885-12-21
THE NEW EDNUNDS BILL.

TIN the 9Th day OF december SEN
ator Edmunds, OF Vermont, intro.
ducsd bill, to amesd the Act ap-
proved March ~, 1882 commonly
known Is the Edmunds Bin. 1t pro.
vides that every ceremony Of mar.
riage, whether the parties to such
marriage ceremony be lawfully com-
potent to be the subject Of such mar
risge or ceremony or not, shall be GER
ti6ed in writing by = certificate stating
the fact and n,ture OF such ceremony,
tho full name of the parties thereto,
and the full Of every officer
present. and person taking part in the
Performance Of such ceremony. That
such certificates shall be open for III.
spection BY any officer, judge, nagis-
trats Of justice appointed under su-
.hority Of the United States. 1t abol-
ishes female suffrage in Utah. 1t
anaslls and abrog4tes the Act OF the
Legislature of Utah Incorporating the
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day
Saints. 1t makes it the duty Vt the
Attorney General OF the United
States to institute aad prosecute
proceedings to forfeit and es.
cheat to the United States the proper.
~ Of corporations obtained or held in
violation of Section 3 of the Act OF
Congress approved July l, 1862.
It abrogates all the laws Of the Ter
ritory Of Utah creating, organizing,
amending, or continuing the corpora
ton or association called the Perpet.
ual Emigrating Fund Company, and
it is made the duty of the Attorney.
General OF the United States to dis
solve said company, pay its debts and
dispose Of the property and assets &C.
cording to law. That the property
and assets in excess Of the debts
shall! escheat to the United Statos,and
b disposed Of by the Secretary Of the
interior under the direction Of the
President for the benefit of the com.
mon schools in the Territory. Pro-
vides for u rsdistricting of the Ter
ritory; declares what shall be adulter,
and provides for its punishment; de-
clares vacant the Office Of Territorial
Superintendent of District School,
created by the Legislature OF Utah
and establishes the office Of Terri
torisl Superintendent, who shall hav'
power to prohibit the use in any dis
trict school of any book Of scctaria'
character OF otherwise unsuitable.
Provides for dover for the wido,
Of one third Of tho lands whereof he
husband WAS seized Of an estate O
inheritance at any time during tn
marriage.
We have stated at some length tn
main features OF this most importau
bill. We expect and hope that tn
Till will become law.
Why this great Nation should hav
permitted . handful Of foreigners I
havo cemented a union Of churc
aud state within its jurisdiction, e'
tablish church and levy taxes for il
support, allow it to gro
and expand until in the amplitude {
its power, it feels bold enough to de-
the laws Of the United States, insu
it, starry banner, cover its chosen o
6csrs with opprobrium and filth, HI
long been q marvel not only to u
but to the civilized world.
The public Schools have been m
nopolixed BY them, its text books ha'
been the emanations OF their prizes
and ap ,stles, and the rising generate
have been educated to dcspise {,
Government As at league with I
devil snd a compact with hell.
An old writer has said, let me wri
tho soaes Of y aatsoa. and l care II
Who makes its laws. 1t can be sal
Let me write the textbooks for t
schools, and l know what the laws "
-. The greatest argument agsiu
woman suffrage has been the manu-
in which the polyganous wives
Utah have bsea voted to PR. e:us
their shame.
We hope, then, that the bill til
.epportsneiy introduced to supp
~asnt previous Legislation on the su
jeet may become law; and that IL
years hence aaay witness the To-
:av.rthrow az n church whose infamc