What did the Omnibus Bill of 1889 do?

The Edmunds–Tucker Act, often referred to as the Edmunds–Tucker Anti-Polygamy Act or Edmunds–Tucker Omnibusing Bill, was signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison on March 3, 1887, and came into effect 50 days later on April 23. It was named after its two main sponsors, Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont and Representative John Randolph Tucker of Virginia. The Edmunds–Tucker Act was one of the most significant pieces of anti-polygamy legislation passed by the federal government in the 19th century, and it played a key role in the American government's efforts to suppress polygamy and other “immoral practices” practiced by the Mormon Church.

The Edmunds–Tucker Act introduced several important changes to the federal government’s approach to polygamy:

1. Expanding Definition of Polygamy: The law expanded the definition of polygamy to include cohabitation within a polygamous marriage, regardless of whether the parties had ever been formally married. This allowed the government to prosecute individuals who were living together in polygamous relationships, even if they had not participated in an official marriage ceremony.

2. Property Forfeiture: The act provided for the seizure and forfeiture of property belonging to individuals who practiced polygamy or other immoral practices. This was a significant financial penalty and discouraged individuals from engaging in these practices.

3. Disqualification from Voting and Holding Office: The Edmunds–Tucker Act disenfranchised individuals convicted of polygamy and also prohibited them from holding any federal, state, or local office. This was a way of marginalizing polygamists and reducing their influence in society.

4. Dissolution of the Mormon Church: The act also included a provision that would have effectively dissolved the Mormon Church if it failed to comply with the anti-polygamy provisions of the law. This provision, however, was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1890 case Late Corp. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints v. United States.

The Edmunds–Tucker Act was controversial when it was passed and faced significant opposition from the Mormon community. The law was enforced rigorously by the federal government, leading to the prosecution of many Mormon leaders and members. The act was partly responsible for the eventual abandonment of polygamy by the Mormon Church in the late 19th century.