Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-29
DEFENCE OF UTAH.
SENATOR RAwLINs DENIES GER
TAIN CHARGES AGAINST STATE.
ALLEGED PRACTICE OF POLYGAkY.
Assertion That the Mormon COM
monwenith IL Living Up to Its Com
pact with the United Stutcs-Pro-
posed senate Inquiry.

WASHINGTON. November Ex-senator
Rawlns. OF Utah. for the present the
sole representative OF that State in the
Senate, issued a statement to-day deny
ing certain charges against his state on
account Of the election OF Mr.. Roberts
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 poygamy
might be practiced with impunity. The
statement Is in part as follows
utah, both in her constitution and in
her statutes, has provided for the pun
ishment Of polygamy and all kindred Of
fences.
mo complaint has been made or can
truthfuly be made that these laws are
not enforced.
During the past year the state has
been raked in search Of cases Of polyg-
amy. with which 10 feed this new, mo-
dern sensation, but no complaint has
been presented against any man, charg-
ing him with this offence.
Some cases Of unlawful cOhabitation'
have been prosecuted and punished.
80 far Utah has sacredly kept the
compact.
POLYGAMIsTS IN OFFICE.
Put II IS charged that thu people
Of Utah have elected polygamisls or per-
sons In that status TO office.
This IS true i'm some instances. and
Il is equally true that the United states,
acting by the President. with the con-
| sent Of the Senate, has appointed polyg-
amistS 10 office. and under such appoint
| ments, FOR almost three years these polyg-
amlsts have held and are now holding
important Federal Offices in the state Of
! Utah.
"The people Of Utah are ready for this
issue. They propose TO stand by their
pledges and keep absolute faith with tho
nation, and they Go not propose 10 rest
under any suspicion TO the contrary.
Now that this question IS raised. and
the moral sentiment Of the country is
alarmed. they propose to demand a
searching investigation. and will be found
rendering full aid 70 any remedial
measures deemed necessary 20 give as
suranco 10 the country that polygamy
cannot live anywhere I'm the United
| States. or IN any place over which they
! have jurisdiction.
"To this end. at the first opportunity,
1 shall ask the Senate 10 pass this resO-
/ luton:
SENATE INVESTIGATION.
BE it resolved. by the Senate OF the
| United States, That the Committee on
/ Judiciary is hereby instructed 20 inquire
/ into and report 20 the Senate, first, 10
| what extent polygamy Is practiced or
/ p0lygamous marriages entered into in the
/ United states, or In places over which
/ they have Jurisdiction Second, have
| poygamsts. or persons reputed 10 have
/ more than one wife been elected TO ofnce
! by the people Of Utan, and IL so. has
such election been for the purpose Of
encouraging polygamy or In violation OF
! any compact between said State and the
! United States? Third, have polygamists
or persons reputed 10 have more than one
wife, been appointed 20 Office by the
! President by and with the advice and
consent Of the Senate, or I'm cases where
the concurrence Of the Senate is not re-
quired, and II so, have such appointments
been made IN aid Of pOiygamy. or N
violation Of the compact between the
United States and tho state Of Utah with
reference 10 that subject? Fourth, what
IL any, steps should be taken or mea.
sures enacted for the prevention Of poly.
gamy in the United States, and in place.
over which they have jurlsdction?"