Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-27
MORMON QUESTION
THE LEGALITY or A PoLyGAMtsT
HOLDING A SEAT IN CONGRESS.
GREAT INFLUENCE ARRlYED.
Possible That the Hon. brigham III.
Roberts, of Utah, VIII Have to BE
Convicted Of PoIygamy Co Unseat
Him.
tsnecial 10 the Albania Iournall

WASHINGTON. November 2s.-fn addi-
ton TO other questions TO be settled by
the next session Of Congress. the MormJu
religion may be rudely thrust before the
members. and the legality Of polygamist
holding a seat on the floor made a de-
batable issue.
one Of the members Of the Fifty-frst
Congress is a Mormon. likewise q polyg 10
mist. He is the Hon. Brigham Roberts,
OF Utah. where he lives In peaceful pos
session OF three wives The action to be
taken against him will not be based on
Jealousy. but from fear OF contamina-
ton.
just how TO get the question Of polyga-
my before Congress and incidentally the
right OF the Hon. Brigham II. Roberts to
hold his seat, is what is proving an inter
esting question just now. His eligibility
10 represent Utah in Congress will be con-
tested by d rival candidate, the contest
being based upon the domestic relations
OF the congressman-elect with the three
aforesaid women. But IL is a question
OF law as to the right OF Congress to de-
IAtNN a hAtiDpti "a llls seat on Il CIlillIldi
charge unless proven to be true In the
civil courts. Clearly, polygamy is con-
trary 10 the law Of the land. and this
individual case is a clear violation OF the
Edmunds law Of the District OF Columbia
Criminal action may be begun against Mr..
Roberts when he reaches here, especially
II he carries out his ooasted intention OF
bringing with him his three wives.
IL Is said by the opposition that the
Mormons brought about his election for
the purpose of bringing attacks upon the
Mormon religion, believing that the
faithful would profit by a free discussion
over the seat may have far reaching
results. and will doubtless be a source
OF much talk on the floor.
Mr.. ROBERTS A DEMOCRAT.
The whole case is Of great interest. Mr..
Roberts was Democratic nominee. He
was put up by the Mormons as a repre-
sentative OF their interests. Beside hav-
ing three wives he is a man of power in
the Mormon Church. He is active in his
support of that faith, and Is one of the
heads Of the great Mormon propaganda
lie is said TO be man of irTeproach-
able character In Utah At the congress
Of religions held during the Worlds Fair.
at Chicago. he represented the Mormon
faith and took a conspicuous part In the
proceedings. When he was nominated
the word was passed around that the
Church desired his election. This was
all that was necessary to elect him. The
Gentiles. as the Mormons term those
who do not hold TO their faith. made
a bitter fight on him, but 10 no avail
They now intend TO bring the matter be-
fore Congress.
The Mormon Church has the political
machinery of Utah entirely in its grasp
Not content with making converts in
the immediate vicinity OF Utah, the pro-
paganda is reaching out to tne East
There are number of petitions now
before Congress from the mountain re-
gions of West Virginia and Tennessee
calling attention of Congress to the
of Mormons among them. One
petition from West Virginia relates a
number OF incidents where converts have
been made 10 the ruin and desolation of
families i'm the mountainous districts of
the State.
SUPPRESSION is URGED.
There are numberless petitions slumber-
Ing in the judiciary Committee rooms OF |
the capital, urging the adoption of an |
to the Constitution for the |
purpose Of suppressing the Mormon re- |
Iigion. None Of these have ever been |
edAtQ uD-OHt reason Dtlnb luht the QucS- /
ton is a veXatious one. and many think |
L best TO let the religion be stamped out |
by the natural influences Of the Chris |
ian religion and the advance Of civiliZa- !
ton. But II is conclusively shown that |
these influences have not boon able to |
wage successful war against the plausi-
pie missionaries Of the Mormon faith, who |
work quietly in a community until an OPP |
comes for open preaching.
Ths opponents OF Mr. Roberts will en-
ieavor TO secure the cooperation of the |
various religious bodies in their fight on
aim. The contest will begin on the hypo-
-hesjs that Mr.. Roberts is ineligible 10 |
ais seat The best authorities here do |
not believe that this will be sufficient in |
Itself to unseat him; that he will have to
DO convicted In the civil courts for prac-
icing polygamy before Congress can take |
my action In the matter. A. w. Il.
Beware OF Aniline dyes in Oriental |