Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-06
AGAINST POL GAMY
Discussing a Proposed Amendment to
the Constitution.
BEFORE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Hearing Given to Prominent Per-
sons interested in Reform. Ut
STATE AND HOME MENACED

The House committee on judiciary gave a
hearing today upon the subject Of bills
| pending before the committee to submit to
the states a proposed constitutional amend
| ment prohibiting polygamy. and giving the
federal government Jurisdiction over mat
tiers relating to polygamy. A number of
eminent clergymen of this city, well-knewn
people engaged in reform work and promi-
nept clergymen and reformers from other
cities were present. Brief addresses were
made by several people and the committee
gave attention to all that was said. Dr.
John Eaton introduced the speakers to the
committee.
Bishop Satterlee of the diocese of Wash
ington was the first to address the CONF
mittee. He said he desired to say only a
few words upon the subject n
1T seems to me-" said Bishop Satterlee
that family life is at the root of modern
civilization. The family is the one institu-
ton which is made divine by the word Of
God. This question affects family life ev-
erywhere. l do most earnestly trust that
this movement may be carried forward I
am here to express my earnest conviction
regarding its Importance"
Rev. Dr. McKim of Epiphany Church fol-
lowed Bishop Satterlee. He said that the
subject under consideration was vital to
the future prosperity of the nation The
study of the Roberts case had been rev.
eiatioii W tne people OF tnlS country. They
mad no conception of the extent of the evil
until 1t was revealed by the wide publicity
given to the Roberts case. DR.. NcKim
earnestly advocated favorable action by
an amendment to the Constitution to the
PEOPLE.
Rev. A. d. Leonard of New York was
Gailed upon to speak for the Methodists.
lie SAID that more than two and three
q arter million people in this country were
CeePly interested in everything that Con-
eress was doing upon the subject of polyg-
amy. Nothing had stirred the hearts of the
people within quarter of a century SO
much as the proceedings growing out of
the exclusion of Roberts. He said the peo-
PIE iniorsed everything Congress had
done, but they now expected the subject
to be carried further.
Rev. DR.. John Dixon of New York repre-
ssenting the Presbyterian home mission
board. said that the propagation of Nor
n,ontsm and poiygamy was the attempt of
large number of people to take vice.
call II virtue and make it the foundation
stone Tor an aggressive religious move
Hent He graphically described the extern
sion of Mormonism. He said that the Nor
mons Were doing more in proportion to ex-
tend their teachings than the Christian de-
nonina lions We're doing. The trouble was
that When the MormonS obtain enough
power they Will bring polygamy to the
front again.
Mr.. jenkins of the committee asked how
constitutional amendment would aid those
who are opposing the movement.
Dr. Dixon replied that the failure of the
Itah state laws to prevent polygamy
prihss up the question whether absolute
failure Is inevitable or whether the federal
government should not be given to do what
the state ought to do and cannot do
Uniform Divorce Laws SuEgested
Chairman Ray of the committee suggest
ed that there was another matter Just as
important. He said the absence of a uni
form law upon marriage and divorce makes
IL possible now for a man to have from two
TO SIX legal wives in as many different states
He cited an instance of a man who had
three legal wives in three different states.
He asked why it would not be wise to widen
the amendment so that it would cover the
question of uniform laws for divorce and
marriage.
You delight US with your suggestion"
said Or. Dixon, amid the applause of those
assembled in the room. He added that
they would be more than pleased to have
the amendment take in the question of uni
form laws for divorce.
Rev. Dr. l.. r. Foote Of BROOKLYN. repre-
senting the Presbyterian denomination said
that polygamy is more than a vice; it is a
crime. The United States government
should speak definitely upon this subject
He denounced the Norman Church as a
mendacious institution and it's teachings
as being worse than heathenism, because
they prostituted Christianity
Rev. DIR. Hamlin's Remarks.
Rev. DIR. Teunis s. Hamlin of the Church
of the Covenant in this city said that no ar
gument in behalf of the constitutional
amendment seemed necessary. He spoke of
the unanimity Of action of all denomina-
tons upon this subject. He had just re-
cetved letter from Bishop Hurst of the
Methodist Church, who was unable to be
present. asking him to represent him. Dr.
Mckim, who had just left the room, had
told MIN that on the way to the Capitol he
had pS-RepraSantatiya
South Carolina. who said that there had
been 1000 converts to Mormanism in that
state. it was claimed. and 10000 in the
south.
SO far as Mormonism as a religion is
concerned" said DR.. Hamlin, II have no
complaint TO make of it's aggressiveness.
me Mormons have a right to extend their
religion as well as any one else But so far
as in the guse of religion they attempt
tc foist on our civilization a system against
which the entire civilized world is arraiga-
ed there is no way to meet 1t except by
law"
DR.. Hamlin said that polygamy is still a
factor In Mormonism. He was convinced
tfat the covenants made between the
church and the United States had not been
Kept In good faith. The peril at present is
that Congress may feel that having taken
such summary action as the exclusion OF
Roberts the question may be regarded as
the true situation know that there is still
danger to be apprehended from the spread
Of polygamy. There Is no cure for it ex-
cept in constitutional amendment
Rev. DR.. s. H. Greene. pastor Of the Cal
vary Baptist Church Of this city, said he
had not come before the committee to make
a formal address. He came to say how
profoundly he sympathized with the senti-
ment which had teen expressed He be-
Eeved that they represented the sentiments
Of the people at large. He was sure that
the hearts Of the people had seldom been
stirred as they are now moved by this
great question.
Opinion of the Women.
Mrs. James Of the Women's Presbyterian
Home Missions addressed the committee.
She said she had learned from the teach
whom the board had sent into Idaho
aid Wyoming that the Mormons are rap
idly extending their influence. They are
sending out colonies into neighboring states,
taking possession of land and planning to
get control Of the politics Of those states.
In such communities II a Gentle opposes a
Mormon he has to move out.
I'VE need definite legislation" said Mrs.
James. ito crush this hydra-headed mon
ster OF polyganay. General legislation will
not do it. While they feel keenly the ex-
clusion Of Roberts. they will never give up
until they are confronted with federal
power"
Mrs La Fetra of this city. in behalf of