Show THE TEST OATH A paper faverau rou on the political oath A rather stupid wrangle is complicating matters in utah the utah commission of which judge A B carlton is chairman proceeded to draw up a form of loath according to the provisions of ef the tucker edmunds anti polygamy abill bill and distributed the blanks to all ail t the e registrars and election judges ad ea this oath set act forth that the applicant applicant for the right of suffrage is not a polygamist ift has not been convicted of poly polygamy ganly and will faithfully support the constitution of the united states the extreme non cormons mormons claim that the oath is not strong enough and want this among other amendments added that I 1 will not hereafter at any time within any of the territories of the united states in obedience to any alleged revelation counsel advice or command from any source whatsoever or under any circumstances enter anter into my or plural marri marriage aie or have or tari take e more wives than one judge carlton declines to accept the suggestion for the following reasons it was evidently the lutt intention ution of CoB Con gressl to allow all male persons of proper age e etc to vote if they are not disqualified b by polygamy goly polygamy gamy etc provided they ure tre g to ta take e the tae prescribed oath an inquisitorial catechism of a metaphysical character by the registrars as to whether the party might sometime in the I 1 lature ture change his mind and cointo 20 into polygamy poly eamy or under certain seductive temptations might commit fornication or adultery is in in my opinion not authorized zed by law the same remarks will apply to the registration officer on proceeding to strike off names on the registry list la in such a proceeding he may investigate the questions whether a 6 party is under any of the disabilities itie s provided by territorial law or the acts of congress these last axe are Is he la in fact et a polygamist Is he living in unlawful cohabitation Is 1 ok in g or cohabiting with persons esons of the other sea 80 has re he e been convicted of bigamy polygamy unlawful fal al cohabitation incest deest D adultery or fornication has IS he token staken the oath prescribed by the a act it of congress this enumeration exhausts all the qualifications provided by congress further than this except as to local statutory fica V the registrar cannot go the same principle will apply to judges of election upon a challenge at the tee polls in these views the active members commission full fully y concur they do not feel justified in a overdrawing the cheth th so that a legal lega ground will be given wen for further gitig litigation at ion and in this they atey are quite right no poleg mist can honestly tase take commissions oath and vote and that to is what congress aimed at the silt lake city tribune whose zeal has often got the better of its judgment in fighting tor for a good cause advises the zoo tears to ignore th the e commission ad to consult with eminent attorneys and follow their advice as their duty happens to be none of judge dul car r tons witness business it is a great pity ut this fine ftc line to is drawn over a ma matter tOrso so plain plath the oath as it stands is ts the despair of any polygamist and if he takes it and votes an indictment tor for perjury will naturally follow mass republican |