River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-10-04
frE ufAh COMMISSION.
fts Conclusions Regarding the Territor
prrsenaeh In T,ro Rnr,orfs

- @NANtNHaWfsH tNkaE1fhk thS ANAAN@NAs
Presented Ia Two Reports
WASHINGTON, Sept 2e.-Two Of the Eve
members Of the Utah Commission, John
A. McCiernand and A. n Carlton. have
Tied with the Secretary Of the Interior a
minority report Of the commission. They
also submitted minority report last wear
Ihls report gives a very favorable account
Of the progress made during thu
year in the work Of reform end
says that there IL decided
and rapidly increasing disposition on the
part Of the Mormons TO abandon polvgsuav
and 10 yield obedience to the law The
commissioners believe that the Mornons
have come 10 the deliberate conclusion
that further resistance is useless They
think that no further legislation restrict
i've If the political rights Of the
Mormons is needed. They comment
upon the tendency manifested 70 turn
the crusade from polygamy against the
Mormon church and its government, and
express themselves rs being opposed 70
such q course and favor the punishment OF
criminal offenses, but not religious creeds
The recommendation made last year Ia the
minority report is renewed, that an amend
ment 20 the constitution Of the United
states be adopted prohibiting the institu-
ton or practice OF polygemy in any form
! In the States or Territories or other places
over which the United States have iuris-
diction.
WASHINGTON, Sept %. -Ihs raie,ity
report Of the Utah Commission. sisnsa 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:
The recommendation Of the lest snnusi re-
port is renewed that Utah should rot he al.
mitted 70 the Union until such time as the Nor
mon people shall manifest BY their future acts
that they have abandoned polyEsmy IN coed
faith, and not then until an amenament shall
have been made TO the con stituaen OF the
United states prohibiting the practice
Of poiygamy. The report edds that the
convention which adopted the proposed Con-
stitutlon uJon which an appeal was made 70
Congress for admission 10 the Union was held
W thout authority from sny proper source. ~ ~
further asserted that the proposed Constitution
is silent with respect 20 the crime % polyg-
amy, aud the Commissioners are OF the opinton
that the Government ear net anerd 20
surrender the great advantage which 70
now holds, and which has been serrreu -
much expense and trouble. They ais, thiss
that no harm can result from delay % the ad-
mission OF the Territory. The report claims
that the action Of the Senate Ccmmitte in
this matter IN reporting that there mist be un-
doubted evidences on the part OF the Metmsn
people OF the abandonment Of pclygamy
bFtNtH ttE AttNttttN eHeHt1 Ut ID
mitted as a state, and also that Of
the House Committee in reporting favorsbly
the pTohibitorF amendment 10 the eopstitu-
ton supports the views Of the majority OF the
commission. II IL also stated In the report that
the Democratic and Republican parties Of
Utah. IN their conventions. recently held IN
1oTset the position taken in the majority re-
port. The report further states that since the
report of last year the Leg slatve Assembly
Of Utah has granted 70 the minority
or un-Mormon element representation IN
the control Of the public Institutions,
and provided for local representa-.
ton in Salt Lake and other cities The ree-
ornmendation Of last year that the Gov ernor
OF the teri tory be given power 70 appo nt
county officers as follows; Sc eetmeH, clerks,
assessors, recorders ara superintendents
Of public schools is renewed The Legislative
Assembly, at its session In January last the
report states denied to the Governor the
right TO appoint the territorial treasured.
aud tor and other Office rs. and - is sdded
" Thus Is presented the spectacle Of the chief
repress NATIVE Of the Federal Government in
! Utah being denied the right 20 exercise his
7 Legal authority, while Of ths same time the
/ agents end leaders Of those who are resron-
/ bic for the ? action are al the capital o. the
/ n ct on proclAHing The loyal submission Of the
I Mormon people to the laws and demanding that
/ they L. warded for II"
I in OF Mon" continues the report
zone O. he chief causes for the long delay IN
I the settlement o. the contest il Utah has been
4 the exere Sc Of political power subord nate 20
/ the interests Of the church"
I In commenting upon the fact that n public
/ schools Of Utah are, With the exception Of
/ few districts, in Salt Lake City and IN the min
I ing regions under the control Of the Mormon
church, the commissioners refer 70 an
I passed by the last Legislst We Assembly b
5 vetoed ~ the Governor which provided for n
/ distribution Of he public school fund for the
support Of public and private SCHOOLS; also the
7 opin on expressed by President Wnford Wood
run under date Of June s 1855 that the educa-
/ ton Of our children should be taken in hand
Z by Us as people. The perusal Of
books We use as divine records is for
Z hidden Our children il left to the
Z train ng they receive in these schools, VIII
grow mp entirely .Fnorant Of those prime pies
/ d salvation for which the Latter Day Sa nts
have MADE so many sscs fees. The
7 desire is IN versaly expressed by all thinking
I people in the church that We should have
( schools where the Bible, the Book o. Mormon
( and the Book o. Doctrine and Covenants can 30
used as text books, and where the principles
/ OF our religion may form part Of the teachings
I OF the schools.
From these circumstances the majority con-
! ciude that the Mo. mon church is committed
to policy whieh. II successful EilI prove
I destructive 10 the pabifc school system
Z IN Utah The recommendation is. there
fore renewed that superIntendents Of
f. public schools be appointed b. the Governor.
During the past year the aerent rel gious de-
I nomtaatsOns had in operation - schools, a.
tended By :, s42 pupils OF this number the Pres
I byterian church conducted ~ Of the sch co.'s
+ the Congregat onal - the Methods n,
/ the Cathoiic T. the Episcopalian 5. the b ptfst
( and the Swedish I. The report expresses
Z the opinion that the work under the law 81
/ Congress with respect 70 the r. gstering 81
Z votes and the conduct Of elections has been
satisfactorily performed
"a afuhr n
Y die tments for polygamv and four CONVICTIONS;
\ 3o4 indictments for unlawful cohahHation, and
/ 226 convictions. IN conclusion the Commission
I srs express the opinion that an energetic en-
/ fOrcement OF the laws should be continued, IS
Y should also the political disabilities