Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-02
ALL SPOKE ON
ROBERTS, SIDE.
A Boston Meeting in Behalf Of
the Utah Congressman,
SESSION LASTED 3 HOURS,
Gathering Was For The Purpose OF
Getting at the Fscs-vlews Of
the Speakers.

The first public meeting known TO
have been held in the defense Of Brig
ham II. Roberts, member-elect from
Utah 10 the House Of Representatives
at Washington, was held in Paine me-
mortal hall, Appleton street, yesterday
afternoon, says the Boston Globe, Of
November e. Though II had been an
nounced that the purpose Of the meet
ing would be one In which Mr.. Roberts
should receive fair play and his case
aired honestly before an audience, Il
turned out a one-slded affair, because,
as the chairman Of the meeting stated
no one appeared. despite the fact they
had been invited by letter, to speak
against Mr., Roberts.
The meeting lasted nearly three
hours, half dozen persons speaking in
that time They came out strongly In
defense OF Mr., Roberts and many
stories widely circulated In the past
were denied
c. H. Currier was the presiding Off
GER Roberts, he said, had been elected
by the vote Of the Mormon" and the
Gentle. 1t is not a question whether
he had three wives or none at all. II
is an ecclesiastical institution. There
is no reason why Mr.. Roberts should
not be seated.
The chairman closed by saying that
All would be invited TO voice their opln-
ions Tor and against Mr. Roberts dur
ing the afternoon. He then introduced
j. w. SULLIVAN, formerly editor Of the
boston investigator Mr.. Stillman said:
Il do not know Mr.. Roberts nor did
ever hear Of him before. This is not
personal matter with me but one In
which great principles are involved"
lie then quoted paragraphs from the
constitution, which dealt with the eligi-
Dlllty or man becoming a member OF
the House Of Representatives. He said
that so far as he could find, Mr.. Rob
erts fulfilled all the requirements and
should be given his seat.
II locked u him as though Mr. Rob-
erts was TO be punished for a crime. II
Mr. Roberts has committed a crime. II
was a crime against the laws OF Utah
and not against the laws OF the United
states. His trial should then be held
IN Utah, and 10y jury Of his peers,
with the right OF counsel. The House
OF Representatives, had no Jurisdiction
over any crime that Mr.. Roberts might
have committed In the past. Further. |
he said, the House was a legislative |
body and not a supreme court where
trials OF crimes should take place. Their |
duty ends with their legislative powers.
II MI. Roberts Is not seated IL will be |
done In violation Of the constitution of |
the United States
Chairman Currier read a number of |
letters, one being from Rabbi Flelsh- |
cher which said people should not Jump |
too quickly, Then Mr. Currier read a |
letter from Col Thomas Wentworth |
Higglnson Of Cambridge. which stated;
Il expressed an opinion drought the |
pfesse several months ago, asking for
an arrest OF judgment IN regard TO Mr..
Roberts, at least, until IL should be
shown by evidence that ne has violated
my L. s. law. Most of the attacks on
hin, even up to the present time appear
lnly TO give vague assertions on this
loint. For instance, IL Is claimed that
le has married an additional wife since
he admission Of Utah as a State His
opponents offer no proof OF this as
ertion, upon which the whole argument
argely turns; while they rest their case
argely upon the general tenets Of the
dormons, apart from polygamy. This
asst mode Of argument is clear viola
ion Of religious liberty just as much
Is would be similar attacks on the Ro-
nan Catholics or the Jews or the Uni
'ersalists.
Il observe with pleasure that the first
bject Of your meeting Is stated 10 be
the purpose Of getting at the facts