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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 18 Page: 362 (~1863-1864)

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362 imprisonment and three hundred dollars fine. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court of Utah, and he was admitted to bail in bonds of five thousand dollars. On September 19, 1875, the Supreme Court reversed the decision on the grounds of the illegality of the grand jury that found the bill of indictment.

On November 1,1875, Mr. Reynolds was again arrested on an indictment for polygamy previously found by the grand jury. He was placed under a twenty-five hundred dollar bond. The trial of this case was commenced on December 9, which resulted in a verdict of "guilty." On the 21st Mr. Reynolds was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and to pay a fine of five hundred dollars. An appeal was taken, and Mr. Reynolds was admitted to bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars. On July 6, 1876, the Supreme Court of Utah confirmed the decision and proceedings of the court below against George Reynolds.

Subsequently an appeal was taken to the United States Supreme Court. The question of the constitutionality of the anti-polygamy acts was raised and argued before the United States Supreme Court. On January 6, 1879, the Supreme Court handed down an opinion unanimously confirming the constitutionality of the law against polygamy and bigamy, and confirming the sentence of the lower courts. June 14,1879, Mr. Reynolds was resentenced in the Third District Court of Utah, and he was subsequently confined in the Territorial penitentiary to serve his sentence.

This was the termination of the test case where the constitutionality of the law against polygamy was the leading issue. But few convictions were made, however, under this bill. On March 22,1882, what is known as the Edmunds bill was signed, and became operative. This was subsequently (in 1887) supplemented by what is known as the Edmunds-Tucker bill.

A vigorous execution of these laws was enforced and hundreds served terms of various lengths in the penitentiary, and were fined. Though the Supreme Court overruled the contention of the church and declared the law constitutional, the Mormon people continued to practice polygamy

(page 362)

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