The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-01
HOUSE DISCUSSES P0LYGAMY.
NATIONAL LEGISLATION ON THE
SUBJECT is OPPOSED.

Bill Sent to the Judiciary Commit
tee-Lacey Bill Prohibiting Inter-
state Traffic in Game KILLED TIIe-
Gally, Was Passed-Much Opposi-
stion to the Measure to Create m
Commission to study Conditions in
the Far East.
Washington, April 3o.-The House to-
day passed the Lacey bill to enlarge the
powers of the department of agriculture
and to prohibit interstate commerce in
game killed In violation of local laws.
1t authorizes the Secretary of AgricuI-
ture to provide for the introduction and
| restoration of game, song and insectivor-
Gus wild birds. 1t gives him the power
20 prevent the Introduction of undesirable
foreign birds and animals and prevents
the killing of game in viola ton of state
laws for concealed shipment to states
where 1t can be sold In the open mar
kets.
The Senate bill to create commission
of five to investigate and report upon the
commercial and Industrial conditions in
China and Japan was debated at length,
but was vigorously antagonized by the
Democrats, and they finally succeeded in
striking out the enaeting clause in com
mittee, and this motion was pending when
the House adjourned. If the motion pre-
walls in the House the bill is dead.
The bill for a constitutional amendment
to disQuallfy polygamsts for election as
senators and representatives and to pro-
hibit polygamy, which was reported by
the committee on the election of Presi-
dent Vice President and representatives
i,, rad m nF7aif
tee on Judiciary after meeting with OPP
position from both sides of the House
Every speaker who antagonized the bill
said he opposed pelygafny, but did not see
any reason for legislating in the consti-
tuition and invading the rights of the
states.
The House agreed to the conference re-
port on the joint resolution extending the
tenure of military officers In Porto Rico
This was District of Columbia day in
the House. The bill to codify the district
laws was taken up. AS its simple read
ing would require thrse legislative days,
night sessions were arranged for that
purpose.
The committees were then called.
The Debate on PolyGamy.
Mr. Corliss OF Michigan, chairman of
the Committee en- Election Of President,
Vice President and Representatives In
Congress, called ap the joint resolution
for a constitutional amendment TO dis
qualify polysamists for election as sena-
tors and representative, and prohibiting
polygamy and polygemous cohabitation
between the sexes.
Mr. Corliss said that while Congress in
the Roberts case had established a strong
precedent 1t was deemed well that there
should he a constitutional amendment to
render the disqualification constitutional,
and to effectively provide means OF ex-
tirpating the evils of polygamy by max
ing II unlawful in any place and extend
ing tho judicial power of the United States
so as to cover prosecutions for this par
ticular crime.
Mr.. snodgrass Of Tennessee. who made
the report in the case made an earnest
plea in advocacy OF the bill.
Mr. Shackleford OF Missouri, opposed
the section of the resolution defining the
marriage relations and prohibiting polyg-
amy in the United States and he moved
to strike II out on the ground that II in
terfered with the power Of the states.
Mr. Corliss called attention 10 the fact
that section 4 distinctly provided that
the exclusive power to make and enforce
all laws concerning marriage and divorce
was reserved to the states.
Views Of Maddox of Georgia.
MIR. Maddox Of Georgia. agreed with
MIR. shackleford that Congress should not
legislate in the constitution. He thought |
a single constitutional Inhibition against |
polygamy was sufficient.
Mr.. Ray OF New York, chairman Of the |
Judiciary Committee, opposed the bill, |
which he said should have been framed |
in his committee which is now. consider |
ing, the whole subject. He said the pres |
ent bill was badly drawn.
Mr. Grosvenor OF Ohio also antag- |
onized the bill. He believed In leaving |
minor offenses to DO dealt with by the ]