Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-04-03
The Admission OF Idaho az a State
Considered by the House.

The House proceeded to the consideration
of the Idaho admission bill.
Dorsey of Nebraska spoke in its favor,
and sketched the progress of the people of
Idaho since the formation of the Territory
eulogized its agricultural and mineral
wealth; and conte nded that its population
entitled it to admission. The only opposi-
ton tl the admission came from the Nor.
mons They protested against the provi-
sion in the constitution which disfranchised
bigs smists and polygsmists. and members of
any association which encourages bigamy.
+ Mansur of Missouri disclaimed any sym
pathy with pol, gsmy but criticised the
provision of the constitution disfranchisipg
Mormons. The real reason for disfrsn-
chising them was that the Mormons in Ida
ho voted the democratic ticket. 1t not a
question of principle but expediency.
DUBOIS of Iowa earnestly advocated the
admis of the territory. The minority
report he said proposed that higamists and
poly gamists should vote in Idaho. What
right had the members of the minority to
impose upon Idaho conditions never before
imposed upon any State coming into the
Union. If the gentlemen are in earnest
in their desire to crush this corrupt institu-
ton, which has been disgrace AMI stain
upon the national honor for quarter of
century. an opportunity Was offered On
one hand WAS a commercial and political
org ,nization hell together by crime on the
the other as brave and loyal a people a.
ever founded State. Give Idaho state
hood under her constitution and the Nor
mon question will soon be an issue of the
past.
Smith of Arizona earnestly denounced
the action of the committee on territories
in aiding the report of the bill for the ad-
mission of Arizona. Arizona had every
qualification for statehood that Montana,
! Dakota and Washington possessed. The
/ bill for her adm. ssion was TO be smothered
, in committee simply because she had seen
fit to send democrat to Congress. He
voicea the republican AS we'll as the demo-
cratic sent; ment Of his territory in protest
/ ing against this unfair treatment.
I Perkins of Kansas inquired Why the
democratic committee in the last Congress
I had not reported bill for the admission of
Arizona.
Smith replied that it had done so. /,
could not orins the bill up for considers
ton. They had unfortunate rules. under
which they could no, do democratic busi-
ness. They can do it now. daughter.
Chapman of Michigan. while fsvorins
the admission of all the territories. criticised
the proposed cous,itut on of Idaho - an in
vssion Of sacred individual and religious
rights. Polygamy vas = crime which
should not be tolerated. but the constitution
closed to the accused the courts. the only
sure asylums against passion and corrup-
ton. He condemned poly gamy roo! and
branch. If Mormon was convicted OF
tha, crime he should be punished. But
Mormons were American citizens and
should be accorded the same rights u
other citizens. He would blot out Nor.
monism If he could, but be would not, ever
to blot out Mormoni.m, take one .tey
which might blot out the freedom Of al
American citizen.
Perkins of Kansas in arguing for the bill
said that the only objection made by th'
minority was to the provision in the con
s.icution which disfranchised the believe
! in polyslmous practices. Itwas the poly z
. amist Who vas disfranchised and il vas th,
, man Who believed in the church vhicl
taught The monssrous doctrine thas h