Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-20
(concluded)


Mr.. Roberts. He had 70 pass upon
the Constitution, as | understand II.
Mr. Mcpherson. / don't know wheth-
er Il was Congress or the President
that had to pass upon II.
Mr.. Roberts II II was not satisiac-
tory. / understand the President mad
the power TO reject Il. Utah was ad-
m.tied by the proclamation OF the
President.
Nj, Morris. And not passed upon BY
Congress, then2
Mr., Roberts. No. sir
The Chairman. II was his duty TO
determine II the Constitution complied
with the terms Of the Enabling Act lie
aid 20 on the 4th OF January, 1895.
Mr.. Morris. II was approved by
proclamation OF the President, and not
by act OF Congress?
slr. Roberts. To continue
Now, sir. sc0rn all such proceedings
as that. | believe that what we do
here we do with real intent " heart
and without nonsense and for that
reason and In this spirit we should
acOpt this amendment, and then have
II carried out Just as Il Is intended TO
be carried out hope. sir, that these
remarks. and the remarks tina, other
gentlemen have made and doubtless
viii make upon this provision Of the
Constitution will have the effect Of re-
moying from the proceedings Of this
convention this seeming insincerity,
which ought not TO exist In conyen-
tlon Of this character. Why sir We
would give little credit 20 the intelll-
gence OF the man who Is 70 pass upon
this Instrument before our lab0rs are
Au al Ia ht4iRulnff Iffuh infn
the Union, II we suppose that he could
not see through this hlmsy screen that
II is proposed to cast over our conduct
here. If we let this provision go IN un-
der the spirit OF that dinscusslon; and,
sir, hold that we ought to adopt 1t
In spirit OF earnestness and with hon
est intention TO make II effectual
II was after this speech Of Judge
Goodwin and my reply TO II that have
just lead TO you that Mr.. Varian said
IN his remarks when he referred to II
and said that he had no use FOR a sneak,
referring to Judge Goodwin.
The Chairman. That was az 20 the
polygamy section of your statute OF
1892?
Mr.. Roberts. Yes, sir; the Territorial
statute OF 1902
Now sir, think Il II decidedly clear
that so far as the Constitutional Con-
vention of Utah Is concerned, they took
the view Of the Enabling Act the re-
qulrements of the Enabling Act that ]
have presented here namely that they
were required to stop 'polygamous or
plural marriages" for the future, and
that they were not called upon to Co.
turb the relations that had existed or
did then exist by reason Of marriages
that had come down 10 US from the
past This discussion as ] say, was
open. II was officially reported and
officially printed. Ii was practically
published In the daily papers In the
proceedings OF the Convention.
These religious people who are now at
the bottom OF this agitation, or many
OF them, were present. and were watch
ing the proceedings Of this Convention.
Finally, after the Convention completed
its work. and the Constitution was re-
fcrred 10 the President OF the United
States at Washington, all those who
We're opposed TO the Constitution had
ample opportunity, Of course, 10 mako
.heir objectlong, and there were several
thousand votes. as | remember Il, that
were east against the Constitution. Yet,
30 far az l know, or have information.
this Constitution on the ground that It
failed 10 meet the requirements OF the
people OF the United States as expressed
through the action Of the Congress OF
the United States. That was not fea-
ture OF objection that was urged
against It at all And the idea that with
this public discussion the State OF Utah
has nevertheless succeeded, 20 use vul-
gar parlance, In working a sort Of
"bunco game" upon the President and
the people OF the United States Is so
ridiculous that to my mind Il Is at least
something more than absurd.
The Chairman. Your State Leglsla-
ture, however, did go on and pass a
clause against the practice OF polyga-
nous living didn't It?
Mr., Roberts. Not Immediately sir. I
shall come TO the consideration Of that
presently.
Mr. Littleheld. Not until the revised
statutes OF 1885 think.
Mr. Lands. | would like 10 call at
tentlon 20 the discussion IN Congress
before the passage OF that enabling act.
II you Will remember that provision
was incorporated IN the Enabling Act In
response 10 speech made by Repre-
sentative Powers, OF Vermont, who lat
er resented this provision. Mr.. Powers
said:
Mr.. Chairman. suppose there IS no
question that every member on the floor
OF this House desires sincerely and hon
estly 10 put an end TO polygamous mar
risges in the Territory Of Utah, and
such being the case 1t seems 20 me that
there ought TO be incorporated IN the
organic act by which the Territory Il
brought into the Union as state
some provision which shall assure IA,
public mind that this institution. which
gentlemen tell US has already seen ~
best days, shall never again raise II,
head In Utah. think misapprehen.
sion exists In the minds Of some u th'
members as to the scope Of the amend
ment which offer. II the House viii
indulge me for moment. ! desire 4
point out how the language | propose
20 put In harmonizes with the Language
already In the bill.
And then the provision. And then h
continues;
Mr.. Chairman n we are 10 admit tn
Territory OF Utah as n State al all int
this Union let Us admit her Just as w
admitted the other States Let MS pre-
scribe. as well az we may. against tn
practice OF polygamous marriage, bu
let us DO 1t In an orderly way. and no
undertake TO Incorporate a Legislative
provision into the body Of the Enabling
Act. Let US prescribe, AZ well as w
may against the practice OF pOlyga
NOUS marriages, not the Performance
Of polygamous ceremonies. but agains
the practice Of polygamous marriages.
And after that. Mr.. Deliver makes
sepech, and he said.
II there has been any objection to IN
admission OF Utah that has had fore
With public men. II has been the exist
ence Of the anomalous Institution O
polygamy In that Territory. say can
didly 10 the House that would not yot
for the admission OF the Territory eX
cept upon the assurance that the Inst
tuition Of polygamy is dead.
And thus In their entire discussion
from one end 60 the other. no man d
any time has attempted 10 draw q In
between the marriage already sOlem
nised and marriages that might be so
emnized In the future not a line.