The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-10-03

l
not entirely destructive of local self
government, thereby inflicting punish
ment on the innocent as well as the
guilty. Our answer is, we cannot do SO. !"
| If we should concur in the report OF
our associates, we would seem to be en-
tirely on "a new departure" a crusade
against the church, and a raid for the
destruction of political rights. We do
not understand that we have any COM
mission for such purposes. We renew
the recommendation made by us IN our
last report: 'ConsldeTi G the import
ance of continuing the power of Con-
gress over the subject of polygamy. and
OF relieving the power from any ques-
ton. we venture respectfully TO recon-
mend the adoption of an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States,
prohibiting the institution or practice
of polygamy in any form in the States,
and in the Territories or other places
over which the United States has ex-
elusive jurisdiction, supplemented with
appropriate power Of legislation to carry
the amendment into full effect. This
recommendation is in accordance with
propositions which have already been
submitted, respectively, in the Senate
and House of Representatives, of which
/ that in the House was supported by an
able and elaborate report from its judi
ciary committee.
such an amendment would put an
end to special and provisional legisla-
ton upon q disturbing question which
legislation under the present COnstltq =
ton must cease to operate with the ces-
sation of the Territorial status. 1t
would raise an implied and incidental
power, primarily drawn from the power
OF Congress ITO dispose of and MAKE all
needful rules and regulations respecting
the territory or other property belong
ing to the United States, to the dignity
of an express power imbedded in that
instrument.
tOther considerations favor it. It
would insure US g solemn and deliberate
verdict of tae American people against
the practice Of polygamy, either as a
social institution or religious rite. Ii
would serve as rampant for the pro
lection Of monogamy, the bedrock OF
American and European civilization
against the inroads of an Asiatic vice.
Ii would be an authoritative notice to
immigrants from all lands that the
United States are dedicated TO the
virtues Of mOnogamy, and, passing as
q lesson into the common schools OF
VIC COuAtl y, NOu1O lO1lA VA
rising generations ID harmony with It's
ideas and object"
We have no design of replying to the
report of our associates in detail. AS
members of this commission we are not
the champions or foes Of any church
party Or faction. The commission Wa:
selected from five different States on the
theory, as we have been credibly in
formed, that non- residents would moi
De likely 20 be Influenced by the pas
sions and prejudices Of the two factions
of Utah. Election and registration oil
GERS should be as
FREE FROM PLEJUDICE AND PASSION
as the ermined Judge on the bench. W.
therefore decline 10 place ourselves IL
the position of enemies to any portion
of the people of Utah. We have IL
commission to bring in or reject new
States, nor to give unasked-for adYic;
to Congress on such subject.
We are not under any obligation tC
defend the Mormons against all thai
has been alleged against them. But We
believe that they are entitled to be
treated with justice and humanity, thai
they are not incorrigible, that they are
subject to be influenced by the same
causes that have changed and anchor
ated other peoples, churches and creeds
We also believe that they have got
common sense, and, By the exercise Of
this valuable attribute they have found
out that polygamy must go.
We believe the great mass Of the
Mormon people are determined to go OIL
with this reform, and that they will
aoo1-0f,ek, h. rrynrly ~, cDitn Of HI
reported harsngue of Rudger Clawsor
: and in spite of any influence that may
be attempted to be exercised by few
fanatical old polygamists.
Since the date of the Commission
last annual report, general election
occurred in this Territory, on the 6tt
of August ultimo, pursuant to law. The
election comprised county, district anC
precinct officers, numbering in ali
The agencies employed, in connection
, with the election, comprised--elec-
toral registrars, judges of cleo
tions and canvassing board of five
/ members, all of whom were appointed
by the Commission, and took the pre-
scribed test oath. There were also 6
municipal election in Salt Lake City
and number of other cities and towns
The elections we're conducted salts
factoriIy and transpired in peaceabl'
, and orderly manner.
Passing to the subject of the socia
evils which prompted Congress to en-.
act relevant oppressive laws, including
the auxiliary provisions constituting
the Commission and defining its powers
and duties, we, as members of the Com
mission, have just occasion to con-
graduate the government and the pub
lie at large upon the efficacy of these
agencies in
PROMOTING THE WORK OF EEFoRM.
While the instances of polygamy
have confessedly decreased since tbs
enactment of the Edmunds Law o.
March 22d, 1882, the judicial convic.
tons for that ofense, owing to the
activity and intelligence of federal of
ticers, have been mum erically increased
These convictions outnumber all such
convictions preceding that date; anC
since the date of the Edmunds.Tuckel
; Law of March 8, 1887, the same COM
parison applies to the instances of IN
lawful cohabitation, and the conviction:
!, therefor.
The convictions for polygamy legally
= | opfoiIod inoOriaOpmpnt not pYn6pdiOp