The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-03-31

in the new era when men and women
! will only remember that they are citi-
zens of Utah. He believed implicitly in
the division. He believed the manifesto
released any letters which might have
bound the people. When slaves have
once had their letters struck OF they
will never consent to be bound
again. No man would allow the domi-
nant church or any other power to
come into his home and influence his
wife.
He was not bound by the Republican
caucus. No vote was taken. He adj
mitted, however that several members
from the lower counties had admitted
that they would be afraid to go home
unless the convention put this pro-
vision in the constitution. He wanted
to allow them to go home. On that
ground and also on the ground Of party
pledges he would vote for suffrage.
A Bombsheu.
Roberts said he wanted the floor a
moment. He did not purpose to open
the discussion again. But he asked
| that he be given the privilege of the
/ floor to close the debate. He said he
asked this because he was under pecu-
/ liar conditions. This speech was proba-
bly, the last he would make on the
floor of the house.
There was a peculiar minor note in
his voice as he spoke He looked
around the hall and the people waited
almost painfully for his next words.
He fingered a yellow paper in his
hand. In a moment he had opened it.
! Il have received this telegram from
| the chairman of the Davis county
! Democratic committee
! He read: 1--WE must ask you to cease
opposing woman suffrage or resign.
Party pledges are sacred and must be
kept"
A Gasp of Surprise.
He again paused. There was a gasp
of surprise in the convention. Delegates
looked at one another and waited in
suspense. Again Roberts proceeded.
81 have sent a reply" he said, SAY
ing You must do what you think
proper. 1 shall not change my course"
IF it shall be shown to me-" he con-
tinued that the Democratic party Of
Davis county really desire my resig-
nation. 1 shall retire from this body.
Therefore I ask that L be given the
courtesy of closing this discussion"
Kimball was on his feet, and moved
that Roberts be given half an hour to
close.
IAN hour" said Elchnor.
Kiesel was on his feet in an instant.
Give him all the time he wants."
he said.
Greer was willing to give Roberts
an hour more, but he wanted Thur
man to close.
Driver. of Ogden-I move that Mr..
Kiesel be asked to pay for all the
time he uses over an hour.
Kiesel (emphatically)-I agree to do
so with the greatest pleasure. (Ap-
plause)
! Thurman Protests.
Thurman said he wanted to make a
| few remarks. He said he did not think
Roberts had never heard a Democrat
say that he was wanted no more in
the party. He regretted very much
that such a man should differ from
| the great body of his party associates
| on such question as this. But he
spoke for the Democratic party when
he said that the party could not af-
ford to lose such a man. This was the
first occasion on the floor OF the con-
vention when he had been called upon
to speak for the party. He wanted to
say that Roberts had been a tower of
strength. He would be 10th to part
company with such a man. He gave
| assurance that the Democratic party
would never desire to do so. If the
gentleman left the party it would be
on his own volition and not because
| the party desired it.
Several Republicans wanted to cut
Roberts down to an hour. However,
this disposition was squelched and he
and the privilege of closing the de-
bate During the course of his discus
sion, Kimball said:
eff the people of Davis ask you to
resign, they are bigger fools than
think they are
Goodwin move a vote of want Of
confidence in Davis county.
Barnes on Roberts.
Barnes, of Davis, said he wanted to
say a few words for the people of
| Davis county. He regretted that the
step had been taken to ask Roberts
to resign. He was afraid it might be
thought premature. He was a friend
of Roberts, and yet he wished to say
that the Democratic party of Davis
felt it had been supported properly by
| it's delegate. The following letter had
been sent to Roberts:
Dear Sir@Our attention has been
| called to the position you are taking
in the convention regarding woman
suffrage, and we are informed, in fact,
The Herald says as much, that you
| are looked upon as a leader of the
| opposition on the floor of the conven-
| ton. This position is not in line with
| the sentiments of your constituents,
and further, in the county convention
! that nominated you, a resolution was
presented and adopted favoring equal
suffrage and requesting our delegates
| to work for it. Our campaign, locally
and territorially, was conducted with
| this as an important plank in the
platform.
In view of these facts, and the fur
Their fact that Davis county is so over
whelmingly in favor of an equal suf-
frage provision in the constitution, we
feel it our duty to ask you not to OPP
pose the suffrage plank. If your con-
vdctions will not permit you to vote
in favor of it, you might, at least, re-
main inactive in the matter, and thus
save our party the humiliation of hav-
| ing their pledges broken. We hope
you will give this matter favorable
consideration. Respectfully yours,
JOHN G. NJ BARNES,
| Chairman Democratic County Com
mittee. HENRY H. BLOOD,
Secretary.
Paid No Attention..
He said Roberts had not paid any
| attention to this letter. The people of
| Dox,;c oor1ptu bad ,-d of tbaco