New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-01
CRUSHING OUT POLPGANY.
DEFIANCE OF THE MORMON CHURCH
STRONGER MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY THE UTAH


STRONGER MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY THE UiAH
COMMISSION.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31.-The Utah COmmls-
sion through Its chairman Alexander Ramsey, has SUD
mitted t. the Secretary OF the It's annual report
upon the transactions and proceedings OF the Commits
sion since November 49, 1884. the date OF tho last
report.
Ills believed that there have been few polygamous
marriages the present year. but IL is pdoat u look
upon this fact as indicating anything than sns
pension OF the practice, resulting vigorous Gu
force'nent OF the law. and not actual surrender
occasioned by general and dreaded change Of sent
ment regarding the doctrine ITSELF Indeed, 1t Is believed
That II all operations by the Commission and courts
under tho present law should cease. If
hating hesi;ang policy should take the place of the
vigorous one force II Is altogether probable that
plural marriages would again become general in Utah.
The firm attitude OF the Government, and the faithful
execution Of the law, sustained by public sentiment,
have exerted reprossve influence upon the Mormon peo
pie never before experienced by them since their estab
lishnent In Titan.
The report pays high tribute to tho zeal and
or the present officers OF the Federal Court Within two
years eighty indictments have been found po
lygainy and unlawful Capitalization; there have been
twenty three convictions, and orythree cases are now
The Commission submits tho following additional
comm hlnons: That the term OF imprisonment Tor nm
lawful con Imitation be extended to to ut least two years
Tor the first aud three years the offence.
That all persons be excluded by law from making
United states who shall refuse demand TO take an
oh before the proper officer Of tho Land Oce that lie
IT man-does not cohabi' with more than one woman
In the marriage relation and VIII support the laws Of
the Unitel States otf a womanthlt she does not CO
habit with man having than living and UNI
divorced wife.
That the laws with reference to the immigration OF
chinese aud the importation Of contract abOrcrs, pau
pers aud criminals he amended t. prevent the i'm
migration O persons claiming that their religion teaches
ana ustih6s tho crime Of pOygamy this would cut on
the chief source OF supply to the Mormon Church.
The declaration often repeated during the last year by
the chief officers OF tho Mormon Church that u is their
settled determination to refuse obedience to tho law.
their persistent Of their great and Influence
10 defeat all efforts from within as well rs from without
the church 10 put an end To pOygamy aud their pcrse
cutOn OF those who desire obey the law have
convinced the commission hat more decisive plan
Ia reduce the powers OF polygamc element and CORE
spon6ngy 10 Increase that ~ tho federal government OF
Utah should be presented Congress this time for Ito
action.
In conclusion. says the commission, whatever may be
though. ~ these suggestions. Congress would certainly
render service of incaculable value u all ana IN
decd To the whole II would devise some meas
ure whereby these mis led people cou be brought out
from under th. tlra dom. which has warped their
minds and their that crime committed In
the name OF religion Il considered by them duty and
blessing equally To- those who commit IL and those who
aid, abet or defend its commission