The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-30
Is PoLYGAMY TO BE THE RULE2

The defiant position taken by B. II.
Roberts. congressman-elect from Utah. in
defending the infamous habits OF Nor
mon polygamy before the whole nation
should fix public attention upon the case
OF Utah and commence a movement that
. shall not rest until the unwiss habit Of the
Mormon is ended ana made impossible
in the future Roberts denies that he
gave the interview as published in the
New York World. and no one Of course.
supposed that the World had published
it as it came from him. II the New
York World should. by any possibility,
publish any ten lines of unalloyed truth
there would be good reason to suppose
its proprietor had received some unre-
vealed information that the millennium
was at hand. Nevertheless. In denying
that the interview is published as he
gave it. Roberts admits enough to show
that it's defence OF polygamy really came
from him. so that 10 stand before the
nation a confessed defender of polygamy,
seeking admission to the halls of Con-
gress where he may have a voice in
framing the laws that the rest of us
who loathe his infamous habits
shall live under. This being So Congress
must refuse Roberts a seat in its hall
Better have there a physical leper, in
oculating those who come within his
touch with his dreadful poison. than to
have there this social leper corrupting
the moral atmosphere Of our lawmakers
and tanning the source Of the legislation
that Is to govern our daily lives. We
may heal the body poisoned by the most
virulent of diseases, but the mind and
soul that once become inoculated with
a moral poison like that which irradates
from men like this man are lost forever
and run on always in the downward
course OF destruction.
When Utah was territory OF the
United States the general government
making laws for the government OF the
territory at a point far removed from
the Infamous associations of the place
was able to make and enforce laws that
would have soon ended the vile institu-
tions that so many OF its degraded in
habltants had tied themselves to. Po-
lygamy was fast being suppressed, there
fore while the territory was under the
dominion of the general government.
But since the territory was most un-
wisely admitted into the Union as
state. the polygamous individuals are
able to make their influence felt in franz
ing and administering the State laws
under which the people of the State live.
1t is sorrowful fact. but II is none
the less a fact. that the people of po-
ygamous tendencies in the State have
a very great influence. II they are not
actually in the majority. and although
the laws of Utah condemn polygamy.
those inclined to 1t are practicing 1t to-
day in the most open and fragrant de-
hance of the laws. We have this state
ment from such unquestionable sources
that we have not the slightest doubt
that It is a fact 1t is perfectly clear to
us therefore. that unless some means are
found for controlling Utah's legislation
and police from a source outside of Utah,
polygamy will. at no distant day. be a
legalized institution I'm Utah, and we
shall see the horrible, Infamous cond-
ton growing up before our eyes and
thriving as one of Americas choice pro-
ducts. Is 1t to be tolerated? Is IL a fact
that when a territory is admitted 70 our
Union OF States as free and equal
State It is thereby invested with an in
alienabe title TO offend all that the inhab-
tants OF the other forty-four States OF
our Union hold most dear. andA.to drag
down into tho mu1 and filth the safe
guards OF our homes and our firesides?
We are not contending that this is not
So We are only suggesting an inquiry.
But IL there be any room for question
in the matter. then It behooves all who
are proud OF our race and our tradi-
tons and who hope TO hand down to
our children the same institutions and
traditions that have elevated and en-
nobled us, TO begin 10 inquire.what can
be done 10 put an end to the increas sing
polygamy OF Utah.