New-York tribune., 1875-01-28
ent indications that the fllibustering is likely I
continue long time yet.
THE poLYGAMoUs DELEGATE.


VIEWS OF THE MINORITY OF THE COMMITTEE on
ELEcuoNs-ruE PRECEDENT OF EXPULSION ON
MORAL OR POLITICAL ACCOUNTS DANGEROUS
GRAVE QUESTIONS INVOLVED.
lPRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUsEJ
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-Mr J. BOardman Smith OF
New-York of the Committee on Elections. proposes
to call up on Thursday tomorrow the case Oh
George Q. Cannon, delegate from Utah. a sum
mary of the views of the majority has already been
given in The TRIBUNE, and the following is
resume of the opinion of the minority consisting OF
III. Ii. Harrison, G. X. Thomas l.. O. c. Lamar, Id
ward Grassland, and r. N. Spear. The report is
drawn up by Mr. Harrison, the other members sign
ing it, without indorsing the reasoning and
positions taken on account Of lack of timc
to examine them. They admit that 1t
could probably be shown by legal proof
that Mr.. Cannon is n polygamst, believing in and
practicing the doctrines of the Mormon Church.
having four wives, one Of whom he has married
since the passage of the act of Congress Of July1,
1862; bat they consider it both mpoltc and dan
gerOus to expe members or delegates on account Of
charges involving political considerations or i'm
moral practices, as the precedent established
may be held to justify great latitude in future cases.
1t is supposed in the absence of anything in the
Constitution or laws on the subject that
delegate, having the same nights and
privileges as member it expelled would
be expelled for the same reason would operate
in the case of a member; and that although itcaunot
be dOubted that the House has the power to expei
delegate by bare majority, yet legal discretion
would dictate adherence to the rule fO- the ex-
pulsion Of members, which requires a two-thlrds
vote There have been four delegates IN the House
from Utah. and three of these have been known to
be in full sympathy with the teachings aud prac-
tees of Mormonism and the question is asked, it,
by expelling Mr. Cannon, it is intended to STRIKE
blow at Mormouism and if such is the case. whether
it is good policy to attempt tho destruction of Nor
mOnism in that way.
On July /. 1852, act was passed for the punish
neut of bIgamy practiced in the Territories, and 1t
is alleged that this law the delegate from Utah has
violated. This may be susceptible of proof. but he
has never been convicted OF the ofense under that
act and the minority think 1t would be safer and
more proper to follow the English rule requiring
conviction of the crime before court and jury be-
fore it can be assumed that the party guilty. I'm
der the Poland law, passed last session, providing
that delegate practlcng bigamy shall be entitled
to q seat, Mr.. Cannon has been indicted and is
shortly to be tried before court and jury and j.
suggested that while this case is pending il would
be wrong to find him guilty CT the same charge In
the present proceeding and expel him so near the
close of his term.
But the eraeest question to be considered is
whether the House ought, as matter of policy, to
establish precedent for the expulsion Of either
delegate or member on account of alleged crimes
or immoral practices uncOnnected with HE duties or
obligations rs a member delegate when he pos
sesses all the necessary qualifications to enttle him
to bis seat. If inquiry to be made into the moral
fitness Of a man to occupy seat in the House,
where will the inquiry stop What stand
ard shall he fixed in determining what
is and what Is not sufficient cause
for expulsioni If a member is expelled for gaming
or bigamy any other Oenso, it may be the recog-
milton of q dangerous power and policy which
would he exercised for partisan ends by party
having the requisite majority. Tins the people
would be deprived of the representative they de-
SIRED and the representative possessing the neces-
sary qualifications be expelled for outside OF
tho constitutional qualifications Of members. or
those which delegate must possess, as fixed By
and analogy, or drawn from the principles or
our representative form Of government