New-York tribune., 1885-03-25
TIE MORMON PROBLEM.

An,ono tho questions on which the inaugural
address of President Cleveland was especially
exnlict and praiseworthy, the Mormon question
deserved somewhat more notice than II gen.
erally receives. IL would not have been surpris-
ING. in view of all the circumstances, II Dem
ocratic President, elected rs MIR. Cleveland
was. had shown some willingness to treat the
Mormon problem with indifference. In some OF
tne far Western States and Territories the
nolitical influence of the Mormon Church is
already great, and is rapidly increasing. The
hostility of the Mormon leaders to the Repub-
lican party, and particularly to the prominent
chiefs of that party, had been plainly mani
tested. But Mr.. Cleveland did not hesitate To
speak both plainly and strongly on the subject,
and his inaugural gave reason to hope that
unless constitutional difficulties should be
found to limit the executive power, ana 10
defeat the acts of Congress designed to clothe
the Executive with power for the suppression oi
polygamy, Jealous efforts in that direction
might be expected from him.
Hence the decision of the United States
Supreme Court. in the polygamy cases arising
under the act of 1882, has peculiar Importance.
By that act a Board was created to supervise
elections in the Territory, and this Board
prescribed as q condition OF the registration oi
voters a discriminating test oath. Under the
operation of this act, persons who would not
swear that they were not Digamlsts or p0lyga-
mists were not permitted to register and the
suits were brought to test the cOnsttutonalty
of the act This was urged on the ground that
il abridged the rights of electors in the Terri
tory under previous laws. But the Supreme
hot In limited States has
sovereign power over the Territories and their
inhabitants; that it rests with Congress to say
whether any of the people resident in the Terri
tory shall participate in elections or In making
laws; @and it may therefore take from them
any right of Suffrage it may previously have
conferred, or at any time modify or abrdge IL
as it may deem expedent." The decision
further remarks:
No legislation can be supposed moro wholesome ana
necessary. In the forming OF free selfgo'erng com
rpopwealth fit &c take rank OF the coordinate
States OF tNc Union than that which seeks TO establish
on the basis idea OF the family as consisting In
and springng from the union for life OF one man ana
one woman In the holy state OF mnrimony; the sure
foundation OF all IS stable and noble In our cviza-
ton; the best guarantee OF that reverent morality
which is the source all benecent progress In social
and political imI rOvement
Under this decision, whatever powers the act
of 1882 confers the President can exert TO the
utmost for the suppression of polygamy and
the resistance to the authority of the United
States, which the Mormon Church has so
steadily made. 1t will be only justice to Presi-
dent Cleveland to conccde that the act as it
stands does not yet appear to convey sufficient
power for the purpose it has IN view. But
should that prove to be the fact, if he uses the
power given him earnestly and faithfully, nc
will have right to ask from Congress such
changes of the law as may be needful.