The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-03-02
Another Outrageous Measure
Against the MOrmons.
EDMUNDS LEFT IN THE SHADE
A Mormon May Not Vote, Hold ONCE
or Take Up Land-A New
Oath.
Another Anti-Mormon Bill

/
anti polygamy bill, which has received
the approval OF prominent Gentiles in
Utah, and has been submitted to men,
bers of the judiciary committee of both
houses IF Congress. In its preamble
it recites that the United States statutes
prohibit ami provide for the punish
ment of bigamy, polygamy and unlaw-
full cohabitation in the Territories, and
for the disqualification of persons
guilty of such otfenses to vote or hold
| office; that the act of giving aid, couI :
| sci, advice, or encouragement, and
| thereby procuring the commission { +
such ose sas should be made crime
punishable with equal severity: that
! there exists in Utah sect which in its
creed holds as one of its fundamental
principles, and as a sacramental rite
and duty of its members to practice I'M
| lawful cohabitation; that the high
priests, leaders and members thereof
claiming to be inspired by and acting in
obedience to authority superior to the
United States, do openly and publicly
counsel, advise and command the men,
bers of said sect to commit said often ses
in open and protested defiance and
contempt of the laws of the United
Sra'es, and by reason of such counse'
advice and command, many thousands
of members of said sect have
been induced to commit said
offenses. and are now living
and cohabiting with plurality of so
called wives and concubines, but escape
punishment for said offenses by secret
intrigue and various corrupt influences
which the possession OF political ma
iOritieS 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.
1he bill is as follows:
SECTION THAT no person who shall
hereafter directly, or indirectly, counsel
e-courage or advise others to marry.
have conso-t, 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 organ
ization or association of any description
whatever which authorizes, counsels,
encourages or permits any of its mem
bers to marry, have conSort or cohabit
with more than one woman at the same
time, shall not vote at any election held
in any Territory of the United States.
or be eligible for election or appoint
ment to or be entitled to hold any office
or place of public trust, honor or emolu-
ment in the Union, or for any Territory.
of the United States of America, or un-
der the United States in either of such
Territories; nor shall any such person
be entitled to locate or make settlement
upon or acquire title to any of the land
of the public domain of the United
States of America, or be eligible to
serve as juror in or for any court in |
either of said Territories.
SEC. 2.-That no person in either of |
the territories of the United States shall |
be registered voter, or vote at any
election who, upon being challenged up |
on either of the grounds set forth in Sec |
ton L, OF this act, shall refuse to take |
and subscribe the following oath:
Il solemly swear that 1 (if man) do |
not cOhabit with more than one woman.
Tor If wOman) that l do not cohabit |
with man having more than one living |
and undivorced wife, and that l do not |
directly or indirectly counsel and en-
or advise others to marry, have,
consort, or cohabit with more than one
woman, at one and the same
time, and that [ am not a men,
Der, and do not contribute TO
the support o, any organization or
association which authorizes. counseIs
encourages or permits any of its mem
berS to marry, have consort or cohabit
with more than one woman at one and
the same time, under any form, name
or pretence 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 10 hold Office, or locate upon
public lands, shall swear falsely, such
person shall be guilty of perjury, and
on conviction thereof shall be punished
by fine not exceeding $1,000 and be i'm
prlSoned for a term not exceeding
fourteen years, nor less than six
SEC. 4.-That every person elected
or appointed TO any Office or
place of public trust. honor or
emolument in, under, or for any Terri
tory OF the United States, or under the
United States in either of said Terri
tories, shall before entering upon the
duties OF said office, in addition 10 the
usual oath of Office, take and subscribe
to the oath set forth in section two of
this act.
SEC. 5.-That every Ierson, who shall
hereafter locate or make settlement
upon any OF the lands of the public do
main or seek to acquire tiJle thereto.
shall take and subscribe the oath 5, t I
forth in section two of this act, before 4
the proper officer of the general land /
d pertinent il the district in which such .
lands may be situated.
SIC. 6.-That all poll tax or registry
lists, existing or kept under the laws of |
any OF the Territories of the United /
states, prior hereto, are hereby declared ]
Voli, and proper registration boards,
supervisors and officers
OF election in the several Territories are
hereby empowered and directed, before /
any general election shall be held in /
these respective Territories, or election
districts, to prepare new lists contain
ing the names only Of persons eligible
to vote or hold Office under the previs- /
ion of this act.