Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-08
Pleads His Case Before the Bar Of
Public Opinion.
THE COMMITTEE MEETS
Tho nepresc"sa,.v" a ks tho Amcr,-
en-" People I" Pause "nd Th,nk
What tho rrocccdinvs A~alns,
Him Nay Mean To ahis country
H'"-"n- Why lie Ia Dcn,ea III.
Legal Rights.
tBy Telegraph to vlrglnlan- Pilot.)

Wy Telegraph to Nirgintan- Pilot.)
Washington, Dec. THE special
committee of the House, appointed to
investigate the charges against Mr..
Roberts, the Mormon representative
from Utah. held its first meeting to-day
behind closed doors. The meeting was
called for the purpose OF determining
the method of procedure i'll the case.
II was held i'll the room OF Committee
on Elections, No. l, and was presided
over By the chairman, Mr.. Tayier of
Ohio. All the other members of the
committee were present
Little progress was made and an adj
journment was taken until tomorrow
at ~ o'clock. 1t has not yet been for
mally decided whether MIR. Roberts is
TO be allowed counsel or whether the
hearings win be open or private. The
determination of the latter question, it
is believed, will depend upon Mr..
Roberts wishes. Mr. Roberts also will
doubtless be allowed counsel.
The question Of whether the commit
tee Will so 10 Utah to take testimony
was also raised. but it, too. was not
decided at the meeting to-day. Almost
all the time WAS occupied i'll general
exchange of ideas as to methods of pro-
ccdurc.
ROBERTS ISSUES ADDRESS.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. 7.-Brigham
III. Roberts. of Utah. who was not al
lowed to be sworn in as a representa-
tive in Congress of that State has is
sued an address to the American peo-
PIE. 1t contains much that was said
by MIR. Roberts on the floor of the
House and by MIR. Richardson. who OPP
posed the resolution OF MIR. Tayler. of
Ohio. After reviewing the facts and
proceedings resulting in the appoint
ment of the committee, he says:
THE member from Utah is not al
lowed to take the oath of his office. and
committee Is appointed to try him
as TO his alleged guilt of the offenses
charged. Nay. even more is granted
than was asked, at least more than was
asked upon the floor of the House. For
hostile committee has been appoint-
bership is made up entirely OF those
who voted TO adopt the method of pro-
cedurc.
STOP AND THINK.
II ask the American people to stop
and think what that may mean TO this
country in times of high political OK
clIement aud party strife and passion.
Cd formidable minority in the
House may be reduced either to n very
insignificant minority. or even blotted
out OF existence.
CD The representation to which the
State is entitled on the floor of the
House may be denied to it--as in this
Utah case-for any length of time this
committee may elect TO deny il such
representation. Suppose that in this
case the committecsshall see proper TO
proceed with reasonable expedition to
consider the questions involved. but
u 1nf t.. l.:
action under one preteXt or another az
long as it pleases? 1t can prolong its
investigations for TWO years as well rs
month or year. If 1t so elects and
meantime deny to Il State representa-
ton. and may defeat altogether the cX-
pressed will of Il people Of State us
to their choice Of a representative
CD This new precedent also strikes,
down the constitutional guarantee of n
right to one accused OF n crime 10 "A
speedy and public trial by an impartial
jury of the State wherein the crime
shall have been committed. The pro-
position Is not to deprive me of my seat
in Congress by the presentation of re-
cords of conviction for crime before
courts. before which I have been found
guilty, under the due forms OF the law.
The proposition is to try me before the
committee of the House. to send for
persons and papers, and witnesses 10
ascertain my guilt or innocence OF an
alleged misdemeanor reported to have
been committed in Utah.
RIGHTS DENIED.
'If were guilty of the misdcmeannr
charged, even tlaGrantly so-here in the
capital--I could not even be arrested
for the offensc. so slight is it consid-
cred under the law. The constitution
gives the members Of Congress immu-
nifty from arrest for nisdcmcanors, cx-
cept for breach OF the peace. and yet
for an alleged misGcmeanor for which
l could not be arrested while in at
tendance upon the House, or while go
ing to or from It'll am deprived of the
right to take the oath OF my Office; my
final right to nv seat Is in jeopardy;
the people of a of the sovereign
States is denied representation. SO long
as ii shall suit the purpose of the
committee to have it 50. and the ex-
pressed will OF The people of a State is
in danger of being defeated
a SOLEMN DENIAL.
ut is true that the representative
from Utah is a Mormon, and Just
now against the Mormon people q
wave of popular sentiment, created by
falsehood, chiefly by the cnarge that
Utah has broken her compact with the
United States in the matter OF polyga-
my; that her people contemplate thu, re-
vivai OF polygamous marriages.: that
the seating OF Utah's representative
would be regarded by her Mormon
population Is an endorsement of polys;-
amy, and would be q menace to the
American home. Upon my honor as n