The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-01
UTAH AND POLYGAMY.
Senator Rawlins Says the People OBJ
serve the National Law.

Washington, November Ex-senator
Rawlins. of Utah. for the present. the
sole representative OF that state in the
senate. issued a statement today de-
nying certain charges against his state
on account of the election OF Mr.. Rob-
erts to the house Of representatives.
Senator Rawlins says there is no truth
in the claim that the Mormon church
by deceit and fraud brought about the
admission OF Utah into the union so
that behind statehood lines polygamy
might be practiced with impunity. The
statement is in part as follows:
Utah, both in her constitution ard
statutes. has provided for the punish
ment Of polygamy and all, kindred Of
fences. No complaint has been made
or can trutEfully be made that these
laws are not enforced. During the past
year the state has been raked in search
of cases of polygamy with which to
feed this new modern sensation, but
no complaint has been presented
against any man charging him with
this offense. Some cases of unlawful
cohabitatiCn' have been prosecuted and
punished. So far, Utah has sacredly
kept the compact.
But it is charged that the people of
Utah have elected polygamists or
persons in that status to office. This
is true in some instances and it is
equally true that the United States,
acting by the president with the con-
sent of the senate, has appointed po-
lygamistS to office and under such ap-
pointments for almost three years these
polygamists have held and are now
holding important federal offices in the
state of Utah.
THE people of Utah are ready for
their pledges and keep absolute faith
with the nation and they do not pro-
pose to rest under any suspicion to the
contrary.
Now that this question is raised,
and the moral sentiment of the coun-
try is alarmed, they propose to de-
mand a searching investigation and
will be found rendering full aid to any
remedial measures deemed necessary
to give assurance to the country that
polygamy cannot live anywhere in the
United States or in any place over
which they have Jurisdiction.
ITO this end at the first opportunity
l shall ask the senate to pass this res
olution:
BE it resolved by the senate of the
United States that the committee on
judiciary Is neTeDy instructed 10 IN
quire into and report to the senate:
Il. To what extent polygamy is
practiced or polygamous marriages en-
tered into in the United States or in
places over which they have jurisdic:
ton.
"'2. Have polygamists, or persons
reputed to have more than one wife,
been elected to office by the people of
Utah, and if SO, has such election been
for the purpose of encouraging polyga-
my or in violation of any compact be-
tween said state and the United
States?
8. Have polygamists, or persons re-
puted to have more than one wife, been
appointed to office by the president, by
and with the advice and consent of the
senate, or in cases where the concur
renee of the senate is not required, and
if so, have such appointments been
made in aid of polygamy or in viola
ton of@the compact between the Unit
ed States and the state of Utah with
reference to that subject
f. What, If any, steps should be
takes or measures enacted for the pre-
vention of polygamy in the United
States and in places over which they
have jurisdiction