The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-10-03
MORMONISM.
SECRET roIroAxr f&crrcrD
cAusrrc REroRr OF THE oovfRsxKsr CON
MISSION.

The annual report OF the Utah Commits
sion has been received by Secretary Noble.
This Commission, under authority Of Con-
gress, has general supervision ofthe elections
in the Territory, and is particularly entrust-
ed with the enforcement OF the "EImunds.
Tucker" act in regard TO polygamy. Acting
under the power conferred, the Commission
in its report says that IL appointed on No
vember 3, 1888, q canvassing board OF five
reputable citizens three of whom were Gen.
tiles and two of whom were Mormons. This
board made a return of the votes cast for
delegates 10 Congress, and found that John
T. Caine, Mormon, had received IL. .127 votes,
X. N. Baskin, 3,4a and s. X. Thurman 5il.
Cane was therefore given q certificate d
election TO Congress.
With but one exception the report states
there was no charge Of fraud in the conduct
of the election. The Commission. the re-
port continues, has followed In the foot
steps ofthe first Utah Commission, which
recognized the fact that Congress in creating
It desired II to use its best endeavors 10 wipe
out and extinguish polygamy, and as far rs
possible all polygamous influences and ten
denotes.
In obedience TO this object the Commission
I'm appointing registers of elections, selected
when possible those belonging to the ron
Mormon element, always appointing ma.
jority of the judges of electon--two out OF
three-from the Gentle class. In some
places, however. there were no Gentiles to
fill the positions, and in these cases Mormons
were appointed. This course, the report
saws, has had the effect of decreasing th,
Mormon vote.
PRACTfCED IN SECRET.
Touching the question of polygsmy III,
report says: "Polygamy is not at the pres
cnt time openly practiced, except, perhaps,
in few remote and out of the way places
but the non-MormOn element insists that
plural marriages are solemnized clandes
timely and prscticed secretly in the larger
centers aud throughout the territory. his
may or may not be true This Commission
neither atlirms nor denies II in the absence
of positive evid, nee. Doubtless many mem.
bers Of the Mormon Church never have prpS
tioed and neither intend 20 practice polyga
my and perhaps many Of them per Sc do no,
believe in the practice, but fiom the stand
point of their faith and creed, they accept Il
as a revelation from God. through th,
prophet, Seer, and revelator, Joseph Smith,
ratified, confirmed, approved and practiced
by the great President, Brigham Young,
and that whoever desires TO do so shoult
have the right TO comply with this ordinanc,
of the church"
All laws forbidding the practice Of polyga-
my the Mormon pronounces unconstitu-
tional There are grounds, it is stated, for
belle: that polygamy is still taught by tn.
Chur rs q saving ordinance, and that thoss
who practice 1t are assured of higher ex-
altation in heaven tim those who content
themselves with one wife.
Extracts are given from Mormon papers
showing that they still openly advocate
polygamy. That the teachings and practice
of polygamy have not been discontinued Is
proven, the report says, by the fact that since
September l,lsSS there have been in the
territory of Utah 3j7 convictions for bigamy.
adult,ry, torncation aud unlawful cohabi.
tation. Most of these convictions were for
unlawful cohabtation, only two being for
bigamy. If plural marriages are now cee.
brated, says the commission, it is done in the
secret chambers of the temple. "If polyg-
amy is practiced it is with the secrecy with
which III burglar guards his house-breaL.
ing and the thief his larcenies." Those who
are convicted of polygamy regard themselves
and are regarded by the Church as martyrs
and think it no disgrace at all to be sent to
the penitentiary.