Series 85194
Utah Commission Reports to the Secretary of the Interior

Dates: i 1882-1896.

1 microfilm reelSkip to Containers

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

An agency history is available.

Scope and Content

This series contains the reports, regulations, and decisions issued by the Utah Commission. The Utah Commission was established under the 1882 Edmunds Act to monitor elections in territorial Utah with an eye toward eradicating polygamy.

The first volume on the reel is devoted primarily to the published annual reports made by the commission to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The reports detail not only the commission's election-related activities, but the members' perceptions of the sociopolitical climate in Utah and their suggestions for federal legislation. The annual reports frequently summarize for the Secretary of the Interior the historical context of Mormon and non-Mormon conflicts, both in regard to polygamy and secular matters.

The reports are interspersed with notices of election, appointment forms for registration and election officers, instructions and forms regarding their duties, and correspondence related to rulings on election procedures. Also included are reports of the Industrial Christian Home Association. This home was to provide a shelter and job training for polygamous wives and children. The Utah Commission served as a Board of Management and Control for the home and was required to make regular reports regarding its operation to Congress.

The remainder of the reel is devoted to a complete set of the commission's annual reports to the Interior Secretary.

Arrangement

There are two sections on the reel. Both are filmed chronologically.

Related Records

Minute books from the Utah Commission, Series 1126, also include published or draft versions of their annual reports.

Letterbooks from the Utah Commission, Series 1139, contain correspondence about these same topics.

Custody History

In 1896 the records of the Utah Commission and Industrial Christian Home Association were turned over to the Secretary of State. They were passed to the Historical Society in 1957 and then transferred to the State Archives in 1969.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Processing Note

The reel was microfilmed in 1980. Archivally processed in 1989 by A.C. Cone.

Indexing Terms

  • Polygamy—Utah—Records and correspondence.
  • Elections—Utah—1882-1896.

Container List

REEL DESCRIPTION
1 Reports; 1882 - 1896

Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.