UTAH.
GOV. EMERY'S MESSAGE.
SALT LAKE, Utah, Jan. 11.—The message of Gov. George W. Emery was read to the Terri-torial Legislature this afternoon. The value of the various ores mined in Utah during the past year amount in value to $7,000,000. He advises a geological survey, and the establishment of a Geological and Mineralogical Museum. He ad-vises an appropriation for the Centennial; calls attention to the necessity of establishing a system of free schools in the Territory. The Legislature in former years has done something towards establishing a school system. The Legislature left it discretionary with the differ-ent counties to say whether they would have schools or not, and, as was to be expected, those counties needing schools most took the least interest in them, and one-half the children in Utah have been deprived of any bene-fits of the law. He urges the improvement of the highways under charge of a Territorial Commission; calls attention to the law by which all votes are numbered and the name of the person voting written opposite. The registra-tion of votes is not objectionable, but the mark-ing of each vote whom each person voted is ob-jectionable and offensive, and the subject of much, unfounded criticism within and without the Territory, and should be repealed. This law is regarded as inimical to republican gov-ernment, and in the interest of the Church so potent in Utah, and leaves its members no choice but to vote the ticket prepared for them.
The Governor calls for the reorganization of the Judicial Districts, as four-fifths of the legal business is now in the Third District at Salt Lake. No provision is made for the compensa-tion of Teritorial officers, leaving them at the mercy of the Legislature for an appropriation, which is asked. He asks that claimants for di-vorce shall be required to become residents of the Territory; calls for a law against incest. There has been no legislation in this Terrritory in regard to marriage, or who shall perform the ceremony.
The Legislature is advised to pass a general law in regard to irrigation.
Gov. Emery calls attention to the law by which illegitimate children and their mothers inherit from the father, whether acknowledged by him or not. A peculiar characteristic of the social condition of the Territory, and one that is af-fecting the interests of the people is
POLYGAMY.
In meeting this question openly and fairly, I can but regard it a crime, prohibited by the laws of our country, and that it does violence to the ac-cepted principles of Christianity. The country at large recognizes it as a blot upon our civilization. Our National Congress has en-acted laws for its punishment, and to pre-vent its continuance. To the present this law has not been practically en-forced, and I am led to believe that polygamy or plural marriages are of as frequent occur-rence as at any time in the history of the Ter-ritory. However this may be, I have not the means of knowing, as these marriage ceremonies are performed by the Church, and are only known to its members. I am sensible how deli-cate my duty becomes under existing circum-stances, when the gentlemen whom I have the honor of addressing, with a single exception, believe and many practice it from a sense of professed religious right. It appears to me, and must be apparent to all, that the law should be expunged from the statutes or made operative. It will be gratifying if this body shall enact such legislation as will prevent its extension, and will adopt such meas-ures as look to a fair and impartial settlement of this subject as it affects the past. We should remember, gentlemen, that Utah is not a se-cluded portion of the United States; that this Territory was acquired from a foreign power, like other parts of the country, with money and by the valor of American arms; that the dis-tance and the deserts have been annihilated by the construction and operation of the Pacific Railways; that to-day we are as much an in-tegral part of this great Republic as any other section, and that we are bound as good citizens to obey the laws of our common country, whether they are in accordance with our views of justice or not; otherwise we ignore the con-stituted authority, and place ourselves beyond the pale and protection of the Government.
A MONOGAMIST EXCLUDED.
E. S. Foote, anti-Mormon, elected to the Leg-islature from Tooele County at the last election, and who is the only anti-Mormon ever so elect-ed, who holds a certificate of election from the Governor, and who was reported as entitled to a seat by the Committee on Credentials, was ex-cluded from his seat on account of his election being contested. His case was referred to the Committee on Elections.
