Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-01
LEGISLATION FOR UTAH.

LEGISLATION FOX UTAH.
The second session of the Forty-Ninth
Congress will commence next Monday.
1t will doubtless continue until the 4th
OF March, 1887, when its legal term ex-
pires. Although it will be session of
only three months, it will in all proba-
bility determine whether Il reasonable
institution shall continue to defy SUCCESS
fully the power OF the general Govern
ment to suppress its lawless acts, or
forced to succumb to the pressure OF out
ragged civilization through the action of
the makers OF our National laws. The Ed
munds law, while to certain extent vim
dicative, is by no means suppressive. 1t
Furnishes small proportion Of offenders
without lessening the amount Of the class
of crime it was designed to abolish. In
fact, under its operation, polygamy is
increasing instead Of diminishing.
1t is we'll known to every intelh-
gent resident of Utah that there are
more polygamous marriages consum-
mated in the three Mormon temples of the
Territory than there are convictions in
the courts for the odense. Some of the
Mormons openly boast, and doubtless
truthfully, that the Endowment House
is turning out three polygamists for every
one temporarily suppressed by imprison-
ment in the Penitentiary, and that more
plural marriage ceremonies are being
performed at present than at any time in
the history OF the Mormon Church. The
reason for this is that unusual efforts are
being made by the leaders of the Church
and all members in polygamy, to induce
others to commit themselves, knowing
that every one who places himself out
side the law can be depended upon to
sustain the infamous institution. This
being the conditions Of things, it is evident
that the present law is a failure, las a means
to suppress the crime which was the
cause OF its enactment. The Tucker bill,
although by no means perfect in its de-
tails, will prove perhaps as effective as
any legislation that can reasonably be ex
pected during the present session Unless
wholesale perjury is committad by the
members of the polygamous church, the
local government OF the Territory, which
is the great element oil power in re-
sisting the Federal law, will be placed
under the control of those who will con-
duct it in harmony with the Constitu.
ton and the Congressional statutes.
This will be great point gained. If il
fails to effect thorough reformation, il
will at least surround the present popular
crime with such complications and
obstacles, that its commission will
be attended with such danger and
difficulty as to force to great extent its
abandonment We are OF the opinion
that it would be wise upon the part of the
friends OF anti-Mormon legislation to
accept the Tucker bill as it was reported
by the Home Committee and as it stands
at present upon the general file. 1t is in
u good position now for speedy and final
action. To attempt its amendment would
endanger the final passage OF the bill in
any shape, and perhaps result in no legs-
lation whatever for Utah during the com.
ing session. Its re-reference to committee
would at all events incur such delay as
would lessen the chances OF its considera-
ton before the adjournment. Ii it comes ur
in its present shape it will without doubt
pass both Houses by handsome MAORI.
ties. All efforts should be concentrated
upon the single purpose of bringing it up
at the earliest possible moment, and all
propositions for amendments should be
discountenanced as hazardous to the gen.
eral measure This is, we understand,
the course determined upon by the rep
resentatives OF the loyal element who left
a few days ago for Washington. If there
is harmony of action among the active
friends of the bill, there is no reason,
which we can conceive, why it cannot be
brought up at an early period in the ses-
sion. If it should be, its success is
assured.