Evening star., 1898-12-12
THE CASE OF Mr.. ROBERTS
Representative King Declares BE Was Fairly
Elected and Will Take His Seat.
questions the Right of Congress to
Review the Matter After IL WINS
Settled by the People

The action of several organizations Of
women throughout the country opposing
the seating of Representative-elect Roberts
OF Utah on the ground that he supports
plural wives is recalling attention To Mr.
Roberts' case and arousing considerable in
terest in Congress. Representative King of
Utah, in conversation with Star reporter
| today, expressed the opinion that Mr.. Rob-
erts election could not be successfully con-
tested on that ground.
Mr. Roberts Nomination.
Ihere can be no reason assigned why
Mr.. Roberts should not be seated" said Mr.
King. He is citizen of the United States
resident Of the state eiecting him. and he
possesses the statutory qualifications which
determine his right to exercise the fran
chise as we'll as eligibility to office He
was the choice of a great party for the
position, and was elected by large ma
jority
In the convention al which he was nomi-
mated were many distinguished gentlemen
VINO were not members of the religious sect
to which Mr.. Roberts belongA At the uolls
ne received the votes of many thousands
not his co-religionists, and most of the
votes against him were cast by persons he
longing to the same church with which he
Is Identified. Mr.. Roberts was nominated
and elected, not because of his raligfou,
views but because of his political faith
He was not the nominee of any church
nor dld his support come from his church
ny TINS 1 mean that the church of which
ne Is member, as church gave him no
support, nor was ii instrumental I'm secur-
ing his nomination or election. There was
great convention. fair and free discussion.
humoer of worthy and able candidates
from the number Mr.. Roberts was chosen
He is man of ability. and was selected
because of his recognized worth and he-
cause II was known that he was not only
devoted TO the principles of his political
party, bu' was an able and eloquent exno-
nent of them Nf''
lie comes as the representative of a
sovereign state, bearing its seal and en-
nlehl OF power Moreover. he comes with
the vote OF a commonwealth behind him
|. The people of Utah have decided that
MT. hoberts was eligible to office was
capable OF representing them What right
mas mas congress to review their decision?
ihelr determination was a finality: their
declslon was from the court of last resort
mere Is no charge of fraud i'm the cleo
lioh-io claim is made that irregularities of
any kind occurred in the election II there
Is a contest his contestant will not pretend
that Mr.. Roberts was not fairly elected.
The Charge Against Roberts.
The only reason assigned as a basis for
unfavorable action by Congress upon his
claim to a seat is that It is rumored tina,
ne married more than one wife years ago
and is supporting them and their children.
mat was urged against him during the
campaign. 1t was a question addressing it
self exclusively to the voters of his district
Ihey listened to the charges preferred and
lne reasons assigned for his defeat and
after fair trial they, as an impartial iury
rendered a verdict in his favor and elected
MN To Congress. Congress will not investi-
gate me moral or mental qualifications of
any person elected. If the people of dis
trlct are satisfied with person. the repre-
sentattves of other districts will not com
pain. MIR. Roberts will take his seat and
"iH serve with credit his state and party"