Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-11
TO THE ROOT OF THE EVIL
EDMUNDS' ANTI POLYGAMY
BILL REPORTED.

MIR. Caine Withdraws His Objection and
the Measure Goes on the Calendar
Many Points of Interest and I'm
pOrtance Covered in the Committees
Report.
WASHINGTON, June 10.-In the House
to-day Mr.. Game, Of Utah, Withdrew his
objection to the reporting of the Edmunds
anti-polygamy bill from the Committee on
Judiciary, and the measure was placed
upon the House calendar.
The report is a very long document.
After a detailed statementOt the changes
made by the committee (already pub
lished) and the reasons therefor, the re-
port says:
Your committee has 10 disposition to re-
commend any measure to the House winch
VIII involve the SAnCttty of any religious fatth,
however wrong in their opinion it may be, but
the distinction between overt acts resulting
from belief, which the law makes criminal,
ana the right OF opinion and Of wor-
Shipping God according to the dictates OF con-
science. was so fully stated in the report on
the constitutional amendment as to need no
repetition. The committee does not hesitate
TO express their dlssent from the 18th section
of the Senate bill, the effect of which would
be that the conduct OF the corporate Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would
be controlled by trustees of the church IN
conjunction with trustees appointed by the
President,
CHURCH AND STATE.
This union OF The trustees Of the church
and those OF the government cannot he dis
tngIlshcd from union of church and state
and "a law respecting the cstabli, hment OF
religion" nor can IL be other than llmita-
ton on tdc free exercise OF religion where
majority who control in matters of faith and
discipline are appointed by the President.
This section would resemble. II IL be not in
fact, an establishment OF the Mormon church
by law, to he cOntroh ' BY the government.
Your committee recon. 1end an annulment
and dissolution OF the corporation. This IS
clearly public policy If it can u astitutlonally
be done. But can Congress take away this
charter, it is asked.
Several reasons make 1t plain that it can be
done without strained construction OF Lse
authorities.
ILLEGAL CHARTERS.
Both the charters of the church and Of the
Emigration Fund Company were null for
want OF power. The acts confirming those
charters were void for the same reason. 1t Is
a matter of grave doubt whether the organic
act authorized the original grant Of such
charters as those were. The Emigration
Fund Company &C, trenches upon the power
OF Congress as to foreign emf grafton and as
sumes to regulate matter neither delegated
to it nor within its authority, but both these
laws are unconstitutional, for 1t Is Obvious
they give preference to this form OF religion
over every other. a law WhiCn thus ulEcrlml-
mates in favor of one form of religion over
another is in proper sense law respecting
the establishment of religion"
CONGRESSIONAL POWER.
Congress. which possesses all the original
power over the Territories, has the right to
avoid the acts of its subordinate agency and
assert It's own policy. With this view Of the
power Of Congress your committee recon-
mends TO cut out by the roots this church
establishment and Emigration Fund Company
and its attachments and to authorize judicial
proceedings through the Attorney General for
dealing with property rights according to law
and equity. In fact, the Emigration Fund
Company ia dependent for Its being upon the
church. Its officers are all appointed by the
church corporation, and II the latter be dis
solved its parasite cannot survive.
ADUTY TO THE COUNTRY.
The duty of Congress TO prevent such an in
stitutiOn being established in a young State
"a Il means of promoting its growth TO that
stature at which admission to the Union viii
be desirable TO the country cannot be doubted.
conclusion the report says:
While the bill as amended deals with public
questions with 1rmness and with the real
purpose of curing existing evils, 1t does so in
entire consistency with the constitutional
liberties of the people, and with their free
right to exercise their religious beliefs ac-
eording to their conscience and only under
the responsibility Of each man to the Supreme
Being