Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-12-10
THR MoRMoN QUESTION.

for unlawful cohabitation and in some
cases pleas of guilty have been entered
and slight punishment imposed upon
promise by fhe accused that they would
not again offend against the law, nor
advise. counsel, aid or abet in any way,
its violation by others. The Utah com.
missiuners express opinions, based upon
such information as they were able to
obtain, that but few polygamons mar
riages have taken place in the territory
during the last year. They further re-
port that while there. cannot be found
upon tho registration lists of votes the
name of o man actually guilty Of
polygamy. and while none of that
ciass are holding office, yet ut the
last election in the territory all the
officers elected, except in one county,
were men who. though not actually liv-
ing IN the practice OF polygany, sub
scribe to the doctrine of polygamous
marriages as q divine revelation, and o
law unto all higher and more binding
upon the conscience than any human
law, local or national. This Is the
strange spectacle presented of u COM
munlty protected by O republican form
of government, to which they owe al
leglance, sustaining by their suffrage q
principle and a belief which sets at
paught that Obligation of absolute obedi-
snce to the law OF the land which lies
at the foundation OF republican institu-
tions. The strength, the %perpetuity and
the destiny of the nation rests upon our
homes established by the law Of God,
/. guarded by p%aternal authority and sane
titled by ~patarnal love. These are not
the homes of p olygamy. The mothers
of our land who rule the nation as they
mould the characters and guide the
actions of their sons lives according to
Gods haly ordinance. and each pure and
happy In the exclusive love of the.
father of her children, sheds the warm
light of true womanhood, unpolluted,
upon all within her pure and whole
some family circle. These are not the
cheerless, crushed and unwamanly
mothers of polygamy. The fathers OF
our families are the best citizens OF the
republic. The wife and children are
the sources OF patriotism and c~oniugal
and parental affection beget devotion to
country The man wlo, undefiled with
plural marriage, is surrounded in his
single home with his wife and children
has q state in the country which inspires
with respect for its laws and courage for
its defense. These are not the fathers
of polygamous families. There is no
feature of this practiol or the system
which sanctions 1t which is not opposed
to all that is Of value in institutions.
There should de no relaxation In the
firm, but Just, execution of the law now
in operation, and | should be glad to ap,
prove such further discreet Legislation
as will rid this country of this blot upon
its fame. Since the people of our terri
tories are reinforced by immigration
from other lands j recommed that alaw
be passed to prevent the importation of
mormons into this country. The
agricultural interests of the country,
the message says, demands a Just reeog-
milton and liberal encouragement. It
snstains with certainty and unfaiLap
strength our national prosperity and
bears Its full share OF the burden of tux.
alton without complaint. Out OF our
total annual reports more than three
fourths are the products of agriculture.
md OF our total population nearly me-
half are exclusively engaged Iii that oc-
Ihe@Z5nieSsHge recommends
that special attention be paid to this de-
partment.
Referring to the prohibitory laws
adopted by several countries regarding
the importation of our animals and their
products. the message suggests the I'M
portanee OF. snch precautions for the pro-
lection OF u stock of all kinds against
disease as will disarm suspicion OF dam
ger n cause the removal of such in.
juiious prohibition. The president rec
omrnends additional legislation on this
subject, II necessary. and recommends
to the consideration Of congress the sug-
gestlons contained In the report of the
commissioner of agriculture.
The closing portion of the message is
devoted to
THE CIVIL SERVICE QUESTION,
The president says: II am inclined
to think that there is no sentiment
more general IN the minds Of the people
of our country than the conviction of
the correctness OF the principle upon
which the law enforcing clYll service re-
form is based He reiterates his former
expressed views on the subject, and
says: 81 venture to hope that we never
shalt again be RENTED to the system
which distributes pubic positions pure
~ as q reward for partisan service.
Doubta may well be entertained whether
our government could survive the strain
~ = duhO VI III G9bt6lit NDlgQ.
upon every change of administration,
inspires an Immense army Of claimants
for Office to lay siege to the patronage
of the government, e~ngrossirg the time
of public officers and their opportunities
spreading abroad the co~ntaeiop of their
disappointment and filing the air with
the tumuIt of their dissent The mes.
sage; recommends that the salaries OF the
civil service commissioners be increased
to o sum move nearly commensurate to
their important duties.
The message recommends an APP
preparation to secure a library-room for
valuable books Hnd pamphlets belonging
to the government and also an ap.
preparation for certain District OF Col
nmbia internal improvement.
The message concludes as follows;
"The present condition of the Law re-
lating to the succession to the presidency
in the event of the death, disability or
removal of both the president and vice
president is such as to require immediate
amendment. This subject has repeatedly
been considered by congress, but no re-.
suit has beenTeached. The recent lamen.
table death of the vlce-presidens and
vacancies ut the same time in all other
offices, the incumbents of which might
Immediately exercise tho functions of
the presidential Office, has caused public
anxiety and u just demand that a recur.
renee of suoh q condition of affairs
should not be permitted
In conclusion, | commend to the wise
care and thoughtful attention of congress
the needs and welfare 0 + an intelligent
nation. To subordinate these to the
narrow advantage of craftsmanship, or