The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-01-18
UTAH SHOULD SECOND VERMONT.

Utah has a great opportunity now to
come 10 the front effectually in vindica-
tion of the right. and in substantiation
of claims made that polygamy has been
altogether abandoned in Utah. Saying
nothing about the technical legal dis
tinction made between polygamy and
unlawful cobabitation, the case is about
| like this.
The authorities of the Mormon church
have for number OF years past aud
specifically within one or two wears
past. given the most vehement protes-
tations that polygamy is altogether
abandoned by the church. President
Joseph 7. Smith at recent conference
expressed his quasi approval of an anti
polyeamy amendment TO the Federal
Constitutions: at least he said that he
and his people had no opposition to
make to such au amendment. This
would be the natural frame OF mind of
him ard his people. with the complete
abandonment Of polygamy that is
claimed; for il polyesmy has been com.
pletely abandoned in Utah and by the
Mormon church and people especially,
there is no reason why there should be
any opposition here to the ratification
OF an anti-polygamy amendment.
Vermont now proposes TO the States
10 have n Constitutional convention rs
provided under article Y of the Con
stitution of the United States. whereby
the States in their sovereign capacity
can call convention for the amend
ment of the Federal Constitution. Yer.
mont invokes this clause. soliciting the
cooperation OF other States for the
calling of a Constitutional convention
to put polygamy under the ban OF the
Federal Constitution. We think our
selves that the call should be made |
broader than that; that it should be
made TO cover the whole question OF
marriage and divorce. And here is |
Utah S great opportunity to act There |
ls, 1t appears, no opposition here to the |
amendment. Therefore, !
let the Utah Legislature, which is now
in session, second the Vermont PROPOSE.
tion. amending it so as to confer upon
Congress full jurisdiction over all ques.
hons OF marriage and divorce. making
marriages subject 10 Federal regulation
Ind recognition. This would have the
advantage OF making all the marriage
avs and divorce laws in the Union con-
'istent and even; ii would allow Con
yress to pass laws against miscegena-
ion or the corruption of blood by toe
ntermarriage Of whites and blacks or
whites with any of the yellow races. It
would also give international standing
o marriages Of Americans with citizens
y subjects of other countries. iuris-
LECTION which is now altogether lack
ng
For many good reasons, therefore,
congress should be endowed with au.
hority over questions relating to mar
ia2e and divorce. Utah can show her
'ood faith and her spirit of response
o the demands of the times by coming
onward with second to this Vermont
invitation, amending it 80 as to broaden
he scope Of the proposed convention
nd make it really worth while to call
uch a body into existence. The Lepis.
ature is here in session; It has timely
pportunity to act, and it's action on
his limo would be stimulaut to the
roposition that the other States would
nd hard to resist; they would be in.
tied thereby to concur. With Utah in
me- other States would not feel that
his was in any way a religious or local
uestiou, but would be free to act upon
ne general ideas involved in the prop.
sItion; and that such act would be ben.
hciai does not admit of doubt.