The evening times., 1898-12-27
Ministers Make War Oil Utah'S
Representative-Elect.
ALL CONDEMN PoLYGAMY
WI Try TO Exclude Mr.. Robert'
L. ON Congress.
MIR. N1chfnIey's Former Pastor Tex
presses strong Views on the
SEhEecf.

Baltimore. Dec. 27.-Local ministers rep
resnting all denominations are manifesting
a deep interest in the case of Brigham H.
Roberts of Utah, and propose 10 aid in pre-
venting the RepTesentatiye-elect from TAX
ing his seat. They intend TO get up Pc
titton signed by every clergyman here pro-
testing against his admission.
One of the most influential ministers
bere the Rev. l. NJ. Zimmerman, OF
Christ Church, discussing the case yester-
dav said. We must remember that the
strength OF the nation lies in the home life,
and all will have TO admit that every bar
rier should be thrown about the family that
would tend TO elevate and ennoble its life
This is a Christian nation, and one that
duly recognizes the sacredness of home
..No1s, if MIR. Roberts can fall in line with
this righteous conception Of the family life
then we bid him welcome, but unless ne
intends. by practice and precept to be
American and Christian, then / emphal-
caIlv saw Mo- as regards his taking seat
in our Congress, and every honest Amerl-
can woman and every thoughuul man VIII
say Amen!
President MeKinley's former pastor, the
Rev. DR. Hugh Johnson. now pastor OF the
First Methodist Episcopal Church OF TINS
city, said:
III Mr.. Roberts has three wives and
lives with them in open violation OF the
laws of the United States, and in brazen
defiance of all that is good and moral, per-
sists in outraging Christian civilization
with his polygamous acts, l say the peni-
tentiary is the proper place for Represen-
tativo Brigham II. Roberts.
'Folygamy is a shame to the people, a
menace TO civilization and a crime under
the common and national law The point
IN question has nothing TO do with the
Mormon faith, but with its practices; that
is the grievance against which the Govern
ment must guard.
IF Mr. Roberts be recognized in our ma
tional Congress it will be recognizing both
poiygamy and bigamy, and, as be stands
q representative of practices entirely for
eien 10 our social laws, to all Christian IN
stitutions, ] urge that he be cast out.
The Rev Dr. Henry NJ. Wharton. pastor
Of BrantIy Baptist Church and the lead
ing Baptist minister in this State, said:
"AlI laws of man are founded on the law
of God polygamist or bigamist is
plainly a lawbreakeT and no lawbreaker
should be a lawmaker. If Roberts has
two OF three wives he is wrong morally
and legally and should by no means ~
received into Congress.
For a crime which may not be magni-
fed TO the extent of Mr.. Roberts trans
grossicn the people of Kentucky refused
TO return W. c. p Breckenridge to Con-
gress. an example worthy of emulation in
every State in the Union.
The question of Roberts and polygamy
coming into Congress must be met here
and now and forever seJued. America S
fair name must not be blotted by the pres
ence of a bigamist in our national body OF
lawmakers.
The Rev. Oliver Huckel, of the Associ-
ate Reformed Presbyterian Church, said:
1T seems 10 me that the case involves a
point OF law If il be really true that
Representative-c elect Brigham H. Roberts
of Utah has married three women he has,
first of all. violated the statute governing
marriage in this country, and ! would ask,
If he cannot be arraigned in his native
State why not bring him to Washington
ard prosecute him for bigamy2
There is a law in this land against po-
lygamy, and bigamy has long been consti-
tuted q crime, and the question at which
] halt is: How can a criminal be eligible
20 Office?
"Oue Thing is certain II he be seated
in Congress he viii surely be ostracised
by all seif-Tespecting society.
The Rev. anthony BilkoysNy, pastor OF
Guilford Avenue Universalist Church,
said: Roberts is morally unqualified for
the position, and, considered from legal
point of view. he is liable to prosecution.
Moral and Christian sentiment should
override legal and political techDicalities,
and Roberts should never be allowed any
nearer The House OF Representatives than
he is at present"
Rabbi Henry Schneeberger, of McCul-
Tough Street Synagogue, one OF the larges;
In this city, said: 'Polygamy is practice
that belongs to the ages OF barbarism, and
its revival in any form in America should
not be counteHanced or tolerated. / be-
Heve the Hebrew Church will support me
in the statement that Mr.. Roberts should
be barred out of Congress"
The Rev. Z. S. Todd. pastor of Straw
bridge Methodist Episcopal Church. said
Brigham II. Roberts. the Mormon poly
samist, will certainly not be allowed to
take a seat in Congress. The Methodist
Church of the United States will be a unit
IN protesting against this insult to Chris
tianity.'