Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-29
Emphatic Denial Of Charges Made
Against His State.
INVESTIGATION WANTED
Senator RawlIns Says the Compact
between His state and ,he United
sinieswithReferonc TO Polygamy
Has necn Kept by His consattu,
cuts, bu, that tho Presidens Mas
Appointed PoiyEamists 40 Qmce,
tny Telegraph to vlrginian-pllot)

(By Telegraph to Virginian-Pllot.)
Washington, d. c.. Nov. Ex-senator
Rawlins. of Utah, for the present the
sole representative of that State in the
Senate, issued a statement to-day de-
nying certain charges against his State
on account of the election of Mr.. Rob-
erts to the House of Representatives.
Senator Rawlns 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 prncticed with impunMy. This
statement is. in part, as follows:
THE STATEMENT.
Utah, both In her constitution and
statutes, has provided for the punish
ment of polygamy and all kindred
offenses.
mo complaint has been made or can
truthfully be made that these laws are
not enforced.
During the past year the State has
been raked in search of cases of poly
gamy with which to feed this new mod
ern sensation, but no complaint has
been presented against any man.
charging him with this offense.
so far Utah has saoredly kept the
compact
but it Is charged that the people of
Utah have elected polygamists or per-
| sons in that status to office.
READY FOR THE ISSUE.
This Is true III some Instances and
\ 1t is equally true that the United
States, acting by the President with
the consent OF the Senate, has appoints
ed polygamists to office and under such
| appointments 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
this issue, They propose to stand by
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 country Is
alarmed. they propose to demand a
searching investigation and will be
found rendering full aid to any RENEE
dial measures deemed necessary to give
assurance to the country that polyga-
my cannot live anywhere in the United
States, or In any place over which thew
have Jurisdiction,
INVESTIGATION PROPOSED.
To this end at the first opportunity
| l shall ask the Senate to pass this reso-
luton;
Be 1t resolved by tn. Senate Of the
| United States, That the Committee on
Judiciary Is hereby instructed to in
taire Into and report to the Senate.
"First--To what extent polygamy Ia
practiced or polygamous marriages. en-
tered into In the United States or In
places over which they have jurisdic-
| ton.
"Second-TIave polygamists or per-
SONS 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 polygas
my or in violation of any compact be-
tween said State and the United States,
"fhird-Have polygamists, or persons
reputed to have more than one wife.
been appointed to Office by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate or In cases where
the concurrence of the Senate Is not
required, and If SO, have such appoint.
ments been made in aid of poiygamy or
in violation Of the compact between the
United States and the State of Utah,
with reference to that subject.
"Fourth-What, Ii any, steps should
be taken or measures enacted for the
| prevention of polygamy In the United
states and In places over which they
have Jurisdiction"