The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-01-14
WASHINGTON.
SATURDAYS EVENTS AND
INCIDENTS AT THE
CAPITAL.
ANIMATED SCENES on PENNsYL-
VANIA AYENUE-NEWs FROM
THE DEPARTMENTS.
TIE WEATHER.

middle Atlantic states, and will be generally felt
during the day. Tonight and SUNDAY killing
frosts will occur in Florida, as far south Tampa
bay
THE UTAH BILL.
WASHINGTON, January 9.-The Utah bill az
passed by the senate yesterday, is substantially AZ
reported back from the committee and as published
in the morning papers of December D. The only
change Of consequence is the addition of section
providing that marriage between persons within
the fourth degree Of cOnsanguinity, but not incu-
ding that degree, shall no deemed incest and pun
ished az such
CROOK NOT To BE REMOVED
senator Van Wyck, Representative Dorsey NE
hraskaj, Judge Carr, (Wyonlng) and Major Slew
elm, lately agent of the Mescalero Indians called
upon the president today in reference to his re-
the command of troops operating against the
Aparhes. They represented that much nxiety
hsd been created in the west by the report. where
General Crook was held in high appreciaton
Tho president spoke admiringly Of General Crook,
and assured his visitors serious purpose of re
moving him had been entertained. He said Gen
eral Crook should have all he wanted-the whole
army if necessary-to quell the disturbances. pro.
tect the settlers and punish the savages He the
president had decided that these objects should be
accomplished The gentlemen then called upon
General Sheridan, In reference to the same subject
and we're received by him, as by the president,
and told that Gen. Crooks removal was not cou-
templated.
JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
1t Is rumored In army circles that the president
will shortly recommend to congress the passage of
bill authorizing him to fill the office of Judge adj
vOcate general of the army. General Swain who
formerly had that Office, was sentenced by court
martial 70 suspension for twelve years at the end
OF which period he will be placed on the retired
list 1t is said the president desires to fill the Of
flee, but is uncertain to his power in the prem
ises. plan haG been suggested that he nominate
person for the office, and let the SENATE pas. on
the legal questions at issue.
INVESTIGATING CUSTOM HOUSE
Mr. Fairchld acting secretary of the treasury,
has appointed Special Agents Montgomery and
Jingle committee to act in conjunction with Dep
uty Collector Berry in making thorough examin.
alton of the customs service at New York city,
They are instructed to ascertain and report the
number and compensation of the employees and
methods of doing business, and TO suggest such
changes rs Will result in a reduction OF expenses
and in simDlifcation of business methods.
SENATE.
WAsulNGToN, January 6.--The chair laid before
the senate a letter from the postmaster general,
complying with the call of the recent senate reso.
luton in respect to the appointment of postmasters
In Maine, alleged to have been procured through
the influence of s. s. Brown chairman of the dem.
ocratc committee of that state.
On motion of Mr.. Hale the communication Of the
pOstmastei general was referred to the committee
on civil service reform.
Among the bills introduced and appropriately
referred were the f0llOwing
By Mr., Hoar-'rO fix the time for the meeting of
congress. 1t fixes for the meeting of congress in
1896, and every second year thereafter, ON the first
Monday in October, and in 1887, and every second
year thereafter on the second Monday in NOyem-
her. In introducing the bill Mr. H0ar said that
the business OF the country was increasing fast
that longer sessions of congress were necessary.
Mr.. Gray called up Mr.. BeCk's recent resolution
OF inquiry regarding the payment of custom duties
in COIN and the application of that coin to the pur
pose of sinking fund etc The resolution having
hp To fnr hut
for reasons very different from those which actn-
ated Mr. Beck, and those who thought with him
He then made quite speech in favor Of both silver
and gold, and thought we had carried the coinage
OF silver to about the danger line.
Mr.. McIherson followed in somewhat the same
strain, and Mesars. Morgan and Beck joined in the
debate, after which Nh. H0ar called
attention to the anomalous condition of
business in the senate there being several impor-
tant bills already reported from committees, which
bills were being delayed by Il silver debate which
We Ud have to be repeated when the finance com |
mittee should come to report bill dealing with |
coinage.
On motion of Mr.. Edmunds, the senate then |
took up the tab bill, the pending question being
on Mr.. Hears motion to strike out the sections |
that would dsfranChise the women of Utah.
Mr. Brown expressed himself as opposed
to woman suffrage, and said that if
he would vote against it, but the question Def re
the senate was one affecting right already given
to the women of Utah, by the laws of that Terri
tory, he BROWN would vote for Mr.. Hoars
motion.
A vote having been reached on the amendment.
II was reJeCted-yeas II, nays 81.
The sections DISTINGUISHING the women remain
therefore part of the bill.
An amendment proposed by Mr. Edmunls was
agreed To, providing that marriage within. bur mot
including the fourth degree of COnsangunity shall
be deemed incestnous, and punishable byimprisOn
nent.
Mr., Van Wyck offered an amendment dispensing |
with the Utah commission so called. The duties |
Of that body could, he said, as we'll be performed
by army officers, at no extra expense to the govern
ment, and his amendment provided that board of /
three officers should perform the duties now
vested in the commission lie denounced the ex-
travagance of the commission, and insisted il had
been of no use to Utah or the United States The |
he said. had half Il dozen clerks.
Mr.. voorhees, denied tuis, and challenged Mr. |
Van Wyck to prove his statement.
Mr.. NanWyck, in reply, read from list in his |
hands the names of seven clerks and "A janitOr
MIR. Voorhees, remarked that these were not req |
laTly employed clerks, but had been rmpoytd /
to meet an emergency |
Mr.. NanWyck's amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Morgan opposed the provisions for trustees 1
- administer the affairs of the Mormon church /
He characterized polygamy IAN ofrense that /
'tinks in the nostrs of civilization lie Thought
i anything was to be done about it, il .hould b.
orn up root and branch.
Mr.. EdmunGs replied that those trustees would
lea only with the property eff the church, The
had feared to abolish the whole ourpo-
confined the work of the trustees to the temporal
Affairs of the church. The committee had not |
Wished to make precedent for Legislative inter
ference with religion, apart from the feature of |
oily gamy. Mr., Edmunds did not think the belief |
If the Mormons greatly differed from the belief Of
,ther sects
Mr. Teller thought the Murmons had very little
except their temple.
Mr. Edmunds had been informed they had.
Mr. Teller said their temple was the most won
lertul building in the world, and had cost great
leal, hut these trustees would have Ia deal with
NOrmOuism in every way He did not believe in
lolygamy, but he would say that if we had sent the
tight men In look after Utah polygamy would have
been dead long since We had sent men there who |
rritsted and prosecuted the people, II WAS by orr
persecution that We had kept poygamy alive. Re
lgluus enthusiasm had done much for civilization,
but We could not forget that twO1thiris of the PEG
pie OF the world, To day, believed in polygamy.
Sreat Britain had lever put its hand ON pOlyga-
nlsts within its dumiuons. The MOrmons had
their faults, but no had seen salt Lake
lty when not grog shop, gambling den or house
VI prostitution could be found within its limits.
Il could not be expected that men who had married
wives 30 wears ago could put them aside now AZ so
many prostitutes, and declare their children has
ards. The bill under consideration was lool cd on
" full of blood. Ii was too severe. We should
handle the great evil with q velyety hand. Men
who do not believe in polygany he said. had by
he severity of our government, been driven into |
condition of opposition TO the policy of the people
VI the United States.
Mr. Edmunds denied that there was ANYTHING Cd
,ressive in the bill. Ii was simply an attempt TO
ut of the One-man power, existing among the peO-
Die of Utah He would not discuss the crimes cnm-
nitted, whether in Nauvoo or Utah, but Mormon
SIN could not be successfully dealt with by the
evety hand referred TO by Mr.. Teller IL was a
ham, delusion, and pretense 10 cover crime
After further argument as IA the provisions ne