OCR Text |
Show THE LUTTBELL BILL. Tbe house of representatives committee com-mittee on territories, it eeems, reported the Luttrell bill to regulate elections and the elective franchise in this territory, to the house during the closing hours of the Beesion. The bill being now on the calendar, is ready for action, and the press reporter volunteers the statement that there "are Btrong probabilities of its becom ing law." The telegraphic report contains only a Bynopsis of tho bill, from which it appears some of the more objectionable features werr BtncKen out oy IBB corammee. a ue provision disfranchising polygmis has been erased, the committee wisely saying that however oflenaive or unlawful they may regard polygamy, they "cannot consent to visit punishment or impose disabilities upon persons accused of the practice until their guilt shall have beeD determined by the constitutional mode, namely: Trial by jury," It ia hardly worth while to discuss tho bill at this lime. Notwithstanding the press reporter's opinion in the matter we do not apprehend that it will pass. The only really important clause is tbe one taking away from wemen the right to vote, and thai j very section will prove sufficient to kill the whole bill should the measure ever come up for action upon it. Female Buflrage haa become to popular throughout the countiy, and has gained so much htrength, that congreea would hardly dare to abolish it, where it had ooce been established.even though members Wre unfavorable to women voting This was forcibly demonstrated in the senate a few weeks ago, when iherv was a tie vote upon Mr. Sargent's proposition for a constitutional amendment prohibiting states from disfranchising persons on account of sex. However, aside from this t iling fealure, there are other reasons why the bill stands a very elim chance of receiving favorable action. The next is the Bhort session of congress, when all bills of a doubtful character wilj suffer. We question if this one will ever come up for Beriou3 action, but should it be eo fortunate, it will be no difficult matter to effectually Bupprees it. The Luttrell bill may be conaid- - ercd a dead failure. |