Tombstone epitaph., 1890-02-15
THE MORMON BILL.

VI @N@N~@NO tracted a great deal of attention by reason of the vigorous fight made by the Mormons against a clause in the constitution virtually disfranchising them, we publish below the bill intro duced in Congress relating to Mor- monism in Arizona, which is a copy of the Idaho law. It Is very stringent in its provisions, and it is not surpris- ing that the Mormons should oppose its adoption, for if it should become a law they would be deprived of all po- itical power While we are opposed to congressional interference in our affairs to greater extent than Is ab- solutely necessary, believing that such matters should be left to State or Ter ritorial management, yet, in the light of past events m Arizona, the action of Congress in this instance is justiti- able During the administration ot Governor Zulick and the first time Mark Smith ran for Congress, a deal was made with the Mormons, whereby they were to cast a solid vote for the Democratic ticket, and as recom- pense therefor all laws that were in any way inimical to their interests were to be repealed. The bargain was carried out on both sides. MT. Smith was elected to Congress and the Dem ocrats had majority in the legisla- ture. In the endeavor to hide the carrying out of the contract by the legislature the expensive farce of Code Commission was enacted, by which three men were required to do in sixty days what should have been the work of at least two years. The result was code that to this day is past finding out. But the purpose for which the commission was created was accomplished, as all laws that in any way du6CJSu GuS 4hOlInCilS NClC lOl1 out and thereby repealed. It is well known fact that the only politics of the Mormon church Is self-interest, and that the priesthood swing the votes of their followers in whatever direction they choose. As an organi- zation no church, whether Mormon, Catholic or Protestant, or whatever name by which religious society may go, has any right to interfere in poli- ties, Religious organizations that are used for such purposes are a menace to the perpetuity of the government, dangerous to the public peace and wei fare, and as matter of self-preserva- ton Congress is justified in passing any law that will effectually crush any such organization. For these req sons it is to be hoped that the bill will pass both houses and become law, and as it has been declared constitu tional by the Supreme Court of the United States there will be no contest over it. By the passage of this bill such trades as the one mentioned above will be prevented and politicians restrained from juggling with our laws in order to curry favor with this or that religious sect; and, moreover, American citizens will have chance to govern themselves. The bill is as follows:
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House
 of Representative of the United
 States of America in Congress as-
 sembled:
 That no person who is bigamist or polygamist, or is living in what Is known as patriarchal, plural or celes- tial marriage, or in Eviolation of any law of the Territory of Arizona, or of the United States forbidding any such crime; or who in any manner teaches, advises, counsels, aids or encourages any person to enter into bigamy, po- lygamy or. such patriarchal, plural or celestial marriage, or to live in viola ton of any such law, or to commit any such crime; or who is a member of or contributes to the support, aid or encouragement of any order, or ganizatiOn, association or society which teaches, advises, counsels, en- courages or aids any person to enter into bigamy, polygamy or such patri- archal or plural marriage, or which teaches or advises that the laws of the Territory of Arizona prescribing rules of civil conduct are not the supreme laws of said Territory, shall neither vote, serve as juror or hold any civil office in the Territory of Arizona.
 Sec. ,. That in addition to the grounds of challenge now allowed by law, any person offering to vote may be orally challenged by any elector of the county upon the ground that he is not eligible to vote on account of his coming within the prescription of the preceding section.
 Sec. 3. If such person shall still insist that he is entitled to vote, and the challenge shall not be withdrawn, the board of judges of elections shall administer the following oath or af- frmalion to the voter: "FOu do sol emnly swear Cor affirm) that you will support the constitution of the United