The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-10-04
THE UTAH COMMISSION.
Its Conclusions Regarding the Territor,
Presented In Two Reports.

Its Conclusions Regarding the Territory
Presented In Two Reports.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.-Two Of the fivo
members Of the Utah Commission, John
A. McClernand and A. b. Carlton, have
filed with the Secretary OF the Interior q
minority report Of the commission. They
also submitted minority report last year.
This report gives very favorable account
Of the progress made during the
year in the work Of reform and
says that there Is a decided
and rapidly increasing disposition Oh the
part of the Mormons TO abandon polygamy
and to yield obedience to the law. The
commissioners believe that the Mormons
have come to the deliberate conclusion
that further resistance is useless. They
think that no further legislation restrict
i've Of the political rights of the
Mormons is needed. They comment
upon the tendency manifested to turn
the crusade from rolyganly against the
Mormon church and its government, and
express themselves as being opposed to
such q course and favor the punishment Of
cr s1inal offensee, but not religious crceds
The recommendation made last year in the
minority report is renewed, that an amend
ment to the constitution of the United
States be adopted prohibiting the institu-
ton or practice of polygamy in any form
in the States or Territories or other places
over which the United States have juris-
diction.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 - The majority
report of the Utah Commission, signed by
q. l.. d. Godfrey, A. b. Williams and Ar
thur L. Thomas, has been received by the
Secretary OF the Interior. A synopsis is
as follows:
Tie recommendation OF the last annual re-
port is renewed that Utah should not be adj
m!ttcd to the Union until such time rs the Nor
mon people shall manifest by their future acts
that they have abandoned polygamy in good
faith, and not then until an amendment shall
have been made 10 the constitution Of the
United States prohibiting the practice
Of polygamy. The report adds that the
convention which adopted the proposed Con-
stitution upon which an appeal was made TO
Congress for admission TO the Union was held
W thout authority from any proper source 1t IS
further asserted that the proposed Cons stitution
is silent with respect to the crime OF Iolyg.
amy, and the Commiss oners are OF the opinion
that the Government not afford TO
surrender the great advantage which II
now holds md which has been secured at
much expense and trouble. They also think
that no harm can result from delay in the ad.
mission OF the Territory. The report claims
this matter IN reporting that there must be un-
doubted evidence on the part OF the Mormon
people Of the abandonment of polygamy
before the Territory should be al.
mittei Us q State. and also that oil
the House Committee in reporting fayorably
the rrohbitory amendment TO the constitu.
tion supports the views OF the majority OF the
commission. It is also stated in the report tha,
the Democratic and Republican parties oi
Utah, in their conventions, recently held, in
dolsei the position taken III the majority re-
port. The report further states that since the
report q last year the Leg slat.ye Assembly
of Utah has granted to the minority
or un-Mormon element representation in
the control OF the publ c Institutions,
ana provided for local rel res,nt:r
ton in Salt Lake ana other cites Tie rec
ommendation OF last year, that the Governor
OF the terr tory he given power to appo nj
county officers as follows: Selectmen, clerks,
assessors, recorders and sureriateIdents
OF public schools. is renewed. The Legislative
report states. denied TO the Governor the
right to appoint the territorial treasurer.
aud tor and other office rs, ana 1t is added:
" Thus is presented the spectacle OF the chiei
representative OF the Federal Government IN
Utah being denied the right TO exercise hi:
legal authority. while at the same time the
agents and leaders OF those who are rcsron
Nat on proelaimirg The loyal submiss ION OF the
Mormon people to the laws and 1t maRding thai
they be rewarded for it,
in our opinion. continues the report
lone Of the chief causes for the long delay iI
tie settlement OF the contest in Utah has been
the exeIc Sc or pc teal rower subordinate tc
the interests OF the cnurch.'
In commenting upon the fact that tn e public
schools u Utah are, " tn the exception Of Z
few districts, in Salt Lake City and in the min
ing regions under the control of the Mormon
church. the commissioners refer to an ac
passed by the last Legislat We Assembly bu
vetoed hy the Governor which provided for ihs
distribution of The public school fund for In,
support OF public and private scnools also thu
opinion expressed by President Wiltord Wood
run under da.e Of June &. 1853. that 1.-The educa
tion OF our children should be taken In hanG
by Us a people. The pesusal o.
books VIC use as divine records is for
bidden. Our children II left to tht
training they receive in these schools, will
grow up entirely ignorant OF those principles
OF salvation Cor which the Latter Day Sa mt.
have made SO many sacr fees. Ths
desire Is universally expressed by all thinking
people i'll the church that we should have
schools where the Bible, the Book OF Mormon
and the Book OF Doctrine and Covenants can be
used as text books, and where the principles
OF our religion may form part OF the teaching
From these circumstances the majority con
clude that the Mormon church is committe,
to o policy which, II successfui, will prov,
destructive TO the public school system
in Utah. The recommendation is. there
fore. renewed that superinteEdents o
public schools be appointed by the Governor
During the past year the different religious de
nominations had in operation 80 schools, y,
tended by I, AZ pupils OF this number the Pres
byteran church conducted 33 OF the schools
the Congregat onal 2:, the Methodist 70
the Catholic Z, the Episcopalian 5, the Haptis,
and the Swedish l. The report expresses
the opinion that the work under the law OF
Congress with respect to the registering ol
votes and the conduct OF elections has bee.
satisfactorily performed.
During the year there have been eight in
dietments for polygamy and four convictions
S04 indictments for unlawful cohabitation, ant
o26 convictions. In conclusion the Commission
ers express the opinion that an energetic en-
forcement OF the laws should be continued. N
should also the political disabilities.
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A TOWN WIPED OUT.
Fire Visits the Village Of Romeo, Wis
SPENCER, Wis, Sept 29.-The small
hamlet IF Rcmao fhraa miiaS north ~