The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-02
new ANTI.POLIGAMY BILL
A MEASURE WHICH HAS RE-
CEIVED THE
Approval Of Prominent Gentlles in
Utah as Well as Congress.
men.

WASHINGTON, March Represent
ativc Woodburn OF Nevada to-day in
troduced in the House an anti-polyg-
amy bill which has received the APP
proval Of prominent Gentiles in Utah,
and has been submitted to members
of the Judiciary Committee of both
houses Of Congress. In its preamble
it recites that the United States stat
utes prohibit and provide for the pun
ishment OF bigamy, polygamy and un-
lawful cohabitation in the Territories,
and for tho disqualification of persons
guilty OF such Ofienses to vote or hold
office; that the act of giving aid,
counsel, advice or encouragement and
thereby producing the commission of
such -otienses should be made a crime
punishable with equal severity; that
there exists in Utah sect which in
its creed holds as one of its funda-
mental principles and as a sacramental
rite the right and duty of its mem
bers to practice unlawful cohabitation
that the high priests and leaders and
members thereof, claiming to be in
spircd by and acting in obedience to
authority superior to the United
States, do openly and publicly coun-
sci, advise and command the members
of said sect to commit said offenses in
open and protested defiance and
contempt OF the laws of the United
States, and by reason of such counsel,
advice and command many thousands
OF members of said. sect have been in
duced to commit said offenses, and are
now living and cohabiting with plu-
rality of so-called wives and concu-
bines, but escape punishment for said
otienses by secret intrigue and the va
rious corrupt influences which the pos
session Of political majorities enables
the leaders of said sect to exercise, all
of which brings the laws and authority
of the United States into disgrace and
contempt and renders the same of no
effect. The bill is as follows:
THE BILL.
SECTION /. That no person who shall
hereafter, directly or Indirectly, coun-
sci, or advise Others to marry, have,
consort or cohabit with any person
other than his or her lawful wife or
husband, who is member or shall
contribute to the support of any or
ganization or association of any de-
scription whatever which authorizes,
counsels, encourages or permits any
of its members to marry, have, con-
sort or cohabit with more than one
woman at the same time, shall vote
at any election held in any Territory
of the United States or be eligible for
election or appointment to, or be
entitled to hold any Office or place of
public trust, honor or emolument in,
under or for any territory of the United
States of America or under the United
States in either of said territories nor
shall any such person be entitled to
locate or make settlement upon or ac-
quire title to any OF the lands of pub
Tic domain of the United States of
America or be eligible to serve as a
juror in or for any court in either of
said territories.
Sec. 2. That no person in either Of
the United States shall be registered
rs a voter or vote at any election who,
upon being challenged upon either of
the grounds set forth in section of
this act shall refuse to take and sub
scribe the following oath: II do sol
emily swear that (if a man) do not
cohabit with more than one woman;
or (if woman that l do not cohabit
with man having more than one liv-
ing and undivorced wife, and that |
do not directly or indirectly counsel,
aid, or encourage or advise others to
marry, have, consort or cohabit with
more than one woman at one and the
same time, and that am not men,
Der and do not contribute to the sup
port of any organization or association
which authorizes, counsels, encourages
or permits any OF its members to mar
ry, have, consort or cohabit with more
than one woman at one and the same
time, under any form, name or pre-
tense whatsoever, so help me God"
Sec. 3. That if any,person who shall
take the oath set forth in section of
this act, either to qualify as a voter,
juror, or to hold Office or locate upon
the public lands, shall swear falsely,
such person shall be guilty of perjury,
and, on conviction thereof, shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000
and be imprisoned for time not ex-
ceeding fourteen years nor less than
six months.
Sec. 4. That every person elected or
appointed to any office or place of pub
lie trust, honor or emolument in, UNI
der or for any Territory of the United
States, or under the United States in
either of said Territories, shall, before
entering upon the duties of said Office,
in addition to the usual oath of office,
take and subscribe the oath set forth
in section 2 of this act.
Sec. 5. That every person who shall
hereafter locate or make settlement
upon any lands of the public domain,
or seek TO acquire title thereto, shall
take and subscribe the oath set forth
in section 2 of this act before the
proper officer of the General Land
Department in the district in which
such lands may be situated.
Sec. 6. That all poll or registry list
existing or kept under the laws of any
OF the Territories of the United States
prior hereto, are hereby declared void.
and the proper registration boards,
commissioners, supervisors, or officers
OF election in the several Territories
are hereby empowered and directed,
before the general election shall be
held in their respective Territories or
election districts, to prepare new lists
containing the names only of persons
eligible to vote or to hold office under
the provisions of this act.