Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-03-12

condition upon which statehood Is 10
be granted 10 the Territory, for Con-
gress did require. by its Enabling Act
an express stipulation upon this cub
Jet, and | believe It's Intention was
70 have declaration that would be
effective and not merely an empty as
Hertion. and think provision OF TINS
character Ia absolutely necessary 70
the document we are drafting, In order
to establish beyond all question the
fact that We intend 10 carry out TO the
letter our agreement as expressed IN
the compact with the United states.
But, sir. do not think that this amend
ment should be adopted by this con-
ventlon In the spirit In which II was
discussed by the gentleman from Salt
Lake this morning (Mr. GOODWIN
One OF the reasons urged for having
stenographic report OF these debates,
as understand II, was for the purpose
OF assisting those who will interpret the
Constitution, In understanding what
the intent OF the Convention that franz
ed the Constitution was; and, SIR II we
adopt this amendment In the spirit In
which that gentleman discusses II,
those who shall interpret the Constltu-
the various propositions would be led
to conclude that this amendment was
not adopted by the Convention With
any real intention TO have II put In
force, but merely for the purpose Of re-
moving from the eyes OF the President
OF the United States, who IL to pass
upon this instrument, and his counsel
ors and 10 silence any opposition that
might be raised against II on the
part OF sectarian peoples throughout
the United States. and that II was not
a real bona iide determination on the
part OF this Constitutional Convention
10 carry out that provision with good
intent.
Now, sir, scorn all such proceedings
as that. believe that what we do
here, We do with real intent Of heart
and without nonsense, and for that
reason and In this spirit, we should
adopt this amendment. and then
have II carried out Just az II IL
intended to carry II out, hope,
sir, that these remarks and
the remarks that other gentlemen
have made, and doubtless will make,
upon this provision Of the Constitution,
will have the effect of removing from
the proceedings OF this convention this
seeming insincerity, which ought not TO
exist In convention of this character
Why, sir, we would give little credit to
the intelligence Of the man who Is to
pass upon this instrument, before our
labors shall be finally completed, In
bringing Utah into the Union, II we
suppose that he could not see through
this fimsy screen that II II proposed 10
M nondnpt hara ~ LOT
this provision 90 In under the spirit
OF that discussion. and, sir. hold that
we ought to adopt II In spirit OF
earnestness and with honest intention
to make 1t effectual.
The following excerpt Is In reply to
some objections urged by Mr., Evans OF
Weber:
Mr.. Narian; In reply to the gentleman
who last spoke, DID NOT UNDER;
TAKE TO INJECT INTO THIS OR
GANIC LAW LEGISLATION ON THE
SUBJECT OF OTHER OFFENsEs; IT
WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE ACT |
OF CONGRESS-; | care nothing about
them and simply seek to meet the Is
sue which believe Is rendered TO these
people, and ! want TO remind you all
that In the construction OF law. civil
law MS well as the law OF God, and re-
liglous law, that 1T Is the letter that
killeth. and the spirit glveth life"
There is nothing clearer or more
certain than the definite understanding,
by the convention and by the public
OF all classes, parties and creeds, that
the provisions OF the Constitution were
purposely framed and intended to ex-
tend. IN good faith, to the prohibition OF
future plural marriages and not to
provide against other kindred Of
lenses And the then editor Of the
Salt Lake Tribune not only conceded
with that, but showed that all he cared |
about, 50 far az the polygamy provision
was IN question, was to AK II so far as
words were concerned that the Presi-
dent OF the United States would sign H.
OF what use Is It now TO pretend
that no such 'taclt understanding was
had IN regard to the non-disturbance
Of existing plural relations so long as
future poygamous marriages should
not be Contracted Some Of the men
who were prominent in conveying this
understanding, by tongue and pen, are
now trying to convince newcomers
that II never existed. II they persist
We will have TO quote history again.