Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-09-28
THE UTAH SAINTS.
Progress Of the War on Plu-
raj Marriages.
SECRET VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

Rsdicsi Measures Recommended. Among
Them the Prohibition of Mormon I'm
observation-disclosures Excursion Ar
ranged for the south American Dele
gates to the An-AmerIca Congress
The President Returns to the Capital
A Case for Cooiey's Commission
WASHINGTON CRY, sept IS The annual
report o. tn Utah commission has been re-
ceived by Secretary Nobls This commission
under authority 81 congress has general
supervision Of the elections in the territory
and - particularly entrusted with the en-
forcement OF the ~Eimunds- Tucker act in
regard TO pO'ygamy. The commission says
II has followed in the footsteps of the first
Utah commission. which tNpgnizei the fact
that congress in creating it desired it to uss
e best enleayOrs to wipe out anil extinguish
Polygamy, and as far as possible all poly
gamous influences and tendencies
Mormon- Persist In PoIygamy.
With reference TO pnlygamy the report
says IL Is not now openly practiced, but 1t is
probable that plural marriages are stu
secretly solemniEsd by the church. Doubt
less many members OF the Mormon church
never have rracticet and never intend 70
practice polygamy and perhaps many Of
them per - DO not believe in the practice
but from the standpoint OF their faith and
creed they accept it as a revelation from
Cod, through the prophet, seer, and revela-
tor, Joseph Smith, ratified, confirmed, ap-
proved and prscticed by their great presi-
sent, Brigham Young, and that whoever de-
sires TO do 50 should have the right to com
ply with this ordinance Of the church
All laws forbdiing the practice OF polyg-
amy, the report continues. the Mormon pro-
nounces unconstitutional Extracts are
given from Mormon p,pers showing that
| they still openly advocate polygamy. In
this state q affairs the commission does not
think Utah should b. granted statehood
some Recommendation
| The comm ssion makes a number OF rec.
| concentrations among them that the juris-
diction Of all polygamous and sexual Of
lenses, without regard to the place commit
ted within the territory, be conferred upon
the district courts; that the term OF impris-
onment for unlawful cohabitation be ex-
tended to at least two years for the first and
three years for the second offense; that il be
made penal offenss for any woman to en-
ter into a marriage with any man knowing
uAAh " bdNt n WHO Nuhl no
who refuses n take the oath that he is not a
Mormon shall be permitted to locate on the
| public land; that congress pass laws for the
| government OF the public schools Of the ter.
ritory.
| Immigration should BE Forbidden
In regari to immigration the report SAYS
| while we forbid the immigration of To,
non proSe yting, the peace-loving and do
/ cile Chinaman, because we fear a future
danger from his coming; while We forbid
the landing on our shores OF contract labor
ers because they cheaper the wages Of Amer
icnn-born citizens, and paupers, because they
may become burden; there is far greater
reason for closing our doors as a nation an 1
| forbiddiny citizenship To the hOries who are
brought here to swell the ranks Of an or
gained body which teacdes them in
| advance to bate the government OF the
| United States denounces its executive. Ia "
makers, judges and prosecutors, as perSscu-
tors and instils into every mind the constant
teaching that their pretended revelations are
more binding than the highest and best
laws Of The land, and that resistance to such
laws Is a virtue and a rendering Of obeii-
ence 10 God How far short OF treason these
teachings are we leave those who can 70
| answer
In concluding toe commission SAYS that
| congress should take no back ward or even
wavering step in the enforcement OF the
laws against polygamy.