The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-03-18
VIEWS OF THE MINORITY.

The other morning The HERALD'S WASH
lngton correspondent wired synopsis of
the minority report of the House commit
tee on territories on the bill for the admls
sion of Idaho as state. The views of the
minority are presented in pamphlet OF
thirteen closely printed pages, in which IN
answerable reasons are set out why our
northern neighbor should not be taken into
The union with the constitution adopted
last summer. The objection of the minor
ity is confined to the provision of the con-
stitution relating to the right of suffrage,
the right to hold Office and the right to
serve on juries--the provision which dis
franchises all members of the Mormon
church. The precise point of difference is
stated thus:
That the majority assent to and approve pro |
vision which deprives citizen of the right of
suffrage, diSGualifieS him from holding Office |
and prevents him from serving on juries for |
criminal conduct imputed to him when he has |
not been convicted of such criminal conduct; |
while The minority insist that no citizen being |
otherwise qualified, should be deprived Of these
rights and privileges on account of alleged crime,
unless he has been convicted of such crime by
some court of competent jurisdiction, and where
the penalty for such crime, as part thereof, is
such disqualification.
The minority expressly reprehend the of
lenses against which the disqualification
provision is made to rpn-bigamy and
polygamy-and disclaim any desire Ito
screen persons who areguilty of bigamy or
polygamy, or in any way 20 tolerate the
commission of any such offenses, or the
aiding or abetting, counselng or advising
Is ,ah Of
Their opposition is based wholly upon the
proposition that sit is contrary to the fun
damental principles of free government to
disfranchise a citizen without his having
an opportunity to be heard in court, and to
defend himself against charge of having
committed such offenses; or Of having
aided and allotted others in the commits
sion of such offenses."
Having stated the ground of opposi-
lion, the minority proceed to con-
slider the question, and make it
plain to the mind of any
fair-minded, reasonable person of intelli-
gence that the position of the gentlemen is
correct, the DISTINGUISHING provision being
irregular, opposed to free government and
unconstitutional. Quotations are made
states, in all of which the deprivation of
the right of suffrage must follow convic-
ton of crime. Judicial opinions sus-
tanning this position are also freely quoted,
the showing being so clear and convinc
ing that the wonder is there were two
opinions in the committee. The minority
report closes with the recommendation
that the following amendment to
the bill for admission be adopted:
Sec That this constitution shall not take
effect until the same shall have been submitted
to vote of the people of the territory of Idaho.
That for the purpose of such submission the
governor of Idaho shall issue his proclamation
calling upon the voters of said territory to as
sembie at their respective places for voting, on
the---day of------anno Domini, eighteen hun
dred and ninety, then and there to cast their
ballot for or against the adoption of such con.
stitution; and the said governor may prescribe
such form of ballot as shall be used at the
said election; and the said election shall
be conducted in the manner and by
the officers as now provided by the
laws of the said territ CRY; and returns thereof
shall be made, and the same shall be canvassed
In the same manner as is required by the laws
Of the said territory in case of election OF
Delegate to the Congress; and If the majority
constitution. the governor shall issue his proc
lamation thereof: Provided, That no person
otherwise qualified shall be denied the right IL
vote at said election because Of alleged crime
for which the punishment embraces disfran-
chisement as part of the penalty therefor ex
cept where he has been duly convicted thereo
by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Sec.-This act shall not take effect excep
upon the fundamental condition that within tn,
said state of Idaho there shall be no denial o
the right Of suffrage of the right to holC
ofice or TO serve on iuries because of crime
except after conviction thereof by court O
competent jurisdiction; and upon the furthe
condition that the legislature of said state shall
by solemn public act, declare the assent @
said state to the said condition, and shall trans
NIT to the President of the United States an au
thenticated copy of said ctupon receipt whereo
the President, by proclamation, shall forthwith
announce the fact whereupon said conditio
shall be held as part OF the organic law of tn
the state, irrevocable without the consent G
Congress; and thereupon and without any ful
Their proceeding on the part of Congress, III
admission of said state in the union shall b
considered as complete. Said state legislator
shall be convened by the governor of Idah
within thirty days after he shall take his offic,
10 act upon the conditions submitted therein