Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-03-10
The United States Must Grapple
With Polygamy.

WIFI Il Oiy Sdhuys
Did you read what Senator Dubois, OF
Idaho, bad to say concerning Mormon
ism2 Let US repeat a few pungent
sentences:
The South has its negro problem.
Other parts of the country have local
questions of their own, which they con-
slider of far-reaching Importance. But
let me tell you that the solution OF the
Mormon problem must be made here
and now, or the whole country VIII
suffer and the foundation of IFS govern
ment be weakened. Before this hearing
is concluded the country will learn that
the States of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming
and, to a large degree, Colorado and
Oregon, are threatened with terrible
curse likely to spread beyond the West
and Southwest unless it is checked.
Now that the subject of Mormonism
is up in official form, it will be better
Tor the whole country that it should be
gone into most thoroughly.
The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections, which has the case OF
Senator Reed Smoot before it, thus far
has given a wide latitude to the line OF
inquiry. This is well. If State laws
are set at defiance and there is no
remedy, then it is time that the United
States should step in, even If Constr
tutional amendment becomes necessary.
Apparently. it will become necessary,
10
power to cope with polygamy.
The doctrine of plural marriages is
cardinal one of the Mormon Church.
1t is the testimony of the president OF
the church, Joseph F. Smith, that
polygamy is of divine revelation 1t Is
his claim that another revelation, COM
ing at an opportune time, suspended
the former one.
But while the church may not tech
nically approve and connive at plural
marriages, 1t is apparently the fact that
polygamous unions have not ceased, and
ample proof is to be given the com
mittee.
In order to join the Union, Utah hac
to adopt a constitution acceptable K
Congress, and the new State of Utat
subsequently passed laws forbiddins
polygamy. They are drastic enough
They are spread out on the statute
books SO that all may read.
But of what use are they? Th'
political power of Utah is in the hand
of Mormons. President Smith live
with five different wives, boasts that h
does so, and declares that his conscier c.
is above all law. And the law does no
touch hicl.
Out of the mass of testimony that j
to be produced, is it too much to hop
that Congress will at last be aroused t
the sense of danger to which Senate
Dubois refers?
Polygamy cannot with safety be lef
to the States to deal with. The au
rhorities of Utah have shown that, fo
they directly uphold the evil, becaus
they refuse to take action against il
Let it become grounded in other State
where Mormonism already has stron
foothold. and we shall have the sam
conditions prevailing there.
1t is apparent, therefore. that tn
States cannot be trusted. Therefore th
United States must step in.
And how can this he done?
By the adoption of a Constitutions
amendment giving Congress the powe
to establish uniform rule for marriae
and divorce, and to punish the offend
ers.
: Why not? Have we not been discus
ing for years the desirabilty of a uniforl
; law concerning divorce. Very gray
efforts have been made to secure SOM
thing like uniformity among the Legi
! latures of different States but so Ion
. as some States, South Dakota, for il
stance, grant divorces that Pennsylvan
and New York refuse, there can
nothing but laxity.
q If there is immortality in plural ma
riages, how much more morality
9 there in couple conniving alta separ;
Q ton in order that both may mari
t others the next day7 Haven't we see
3 this happen over and overf Is not Ne
D York society full of just such scandal
1 1t would seem as if this were the tin
to bring the whole subject of the twi
: evils of polygamy and of easy an
3 scandalous divorce to head.
/ A Constitutional amendment requir,
to be adopted first by two thirds M
: jority in both branches Of Congess, an
g next by the Legislatures OF threefourtl
Y of the States.
Il If the States will not adopt propt
+ amendment now they never can be d
pended upon to do so.
q Is the story of Utah to go for nothing
d That is for Congress to say.-Inqui
A. r. .x5;oropo1;. Tbrrc1ov aycpin,