Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-06-06
THE UTAH BILL.
The Edmunds Act as
Amended
BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.
The Mormon Corporations to be
Dissolved-Polygamy to be
Strictly Prohibited.

Special TO the Herald bv The associated Press.
WASHINGTON, June 5.-The House
Judiciary Committee to-day agreed to
report favorable Edmunds' Anti Polyga-
my bill with many amendments, some
of which are OF radical nature. The
bill as it came from the Senate compelled
the lawful wife of a person accused OF
polygamy to testify against him. The
committee proposed to amend the bill in
that respect so as to make the wife a
competent witness, but not compel her
testimony or permit her to testify as to
any confidential matter contrary to the
rule of common law. The change in the
statute of limitations in the bill as 1t
came from the Senate is stricken out and
the second section Of the bill relating to
attachments against witnesses is amend
ed SO as to authorize the issue OF such
attachments only where 1t is neces-
sary, as shown by the oath
of two creditable witnesses. The
action requiring the recording of all
marriages Is retained, but the fifth sec
ton, which authorizes the examination
of private records OF marriages. is strick-
en- out. The section prohibiting female
suffrage is retained intact. A material
change is made in the twelfth section,
which authorizes commission, in con.
junction with the trustees of Mormon
churches in administering its affairs. In
its place the committee has inserted a
section annulling the act of incorpora-
ton OF the church and dissolving it. The
charter OF the Personal Emigration Fund
Society Is also annulied and the society
dissolved, and it is made the duty OF
the Attorney General to proceed in the
Supreme Court in the Territory to effect
the dissolution, pay the debts and dis
pose OF the property of the society ac-
cording to the laws of equity.
The bill provides penalties for the
crimes OF adultery, incest, po-
lygamous association and cohabita.
ton between the sexes. The last named
is in the same terms as is proposed in the
constitutional amendments submitted by
the committee. The Office of Territorial
Superintendent of Schools is abolished,
aud new office is created In its place,
to be filed by the Commissioner OF
schools to be appointed by the Gov.
ernor. The provisions of the original
bill touching dover and recognizing the
claims of the first wife are retained.
An additional section gives the Presi.
dent power to grant amnesty as to all
crimes created by this as well as the origi-
nal Edmunds act All laws in reference
to the militia of the Territory and creating
the northern legion are annulled, and
| all general officers Of the militia are re-
quired to be appointed by the Governor,
| by and with the advice and consent Of
his council, while the Legislative As
sembly Of the Territory is authorized to
pass laws providing for the organization
Of a militia, subject to the approval of
Congress. The bill makes the council of
territory TO consist as now of thirteen
members to be appointed by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate, of citizens resident
in the Territory, one to be selected
from each district, as now provided by
law.
1t is provided that the chief officers of
the Territory shall be appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate,
and the minor officers by the Governor.
by and with the advice and consent OF
the Council. To each religious society
or denomination is given the right to
hold, through trustees appointed by the
county courts OF the Territory, ten acres
of land in towns and fifty acres in the
country for houses of worship and for
residences of ministers. priests and re-
ligious teachers, but it is provided that
no such society shall besides these hold
more property in money value than
$50, 900. 1t is provided that all laws
granting water, timber or herd rights
on any part of the public domain
to any peraon or corporation shall
be annulled and declared void,
and the Attorney General is di-
rected to enforce this provision.
Every male person In the territory is re-
CURED to appear before the Clerk of
| the Probate Court in the county where
he may reside and register his full
name, state whether he is married or
single, and if married the name Of his
lawful wife, take an oath that he will
support the constitution and obey the
laws of the United States and especially
the laws in repect to the crimes defined
in this and the original Edmunds' Act,
and that he will not directly or indirectly
aid or advise any person to commit such
crime. No person not so registered or
who shall have been convicted of any
of the crimes specified, or who shall be
polygamist or associate or cohabit
polygamously or who shall not take the
oath, shall be entitled TO sit on any
jury or hold any Office in the territory.
The bill as amended will be reported TO
| the House on Monday.