The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-13
Should That Be Fate
of Roberts?
Talk on Status Of Polyga-
mist Congressman.

Not since Utah was admitted into the
slsterhood of states has the country at
large been agitated by any question
that has so stirred the interest of the
people as has the recent election of
Brigham Roberts to seat in the House
Of the United States.
NO question has been raised as to his
ability to perform the duties of the
office. The point at issue is his stead
fast adherence to the practice of poly
gany, which is prohibited by statute,
and which practice was understood to
have been abandoned when Utah be-
came state.
The people at large throughout the
country differ in their opinion as to
whether Roberts should be unseated.
The press of the country is at variance
on the subject, and The Spy presents
to its readers this morning the opinions
of some of Worcester's foremost clergy
men on the subject.
Rev. S. B. MeeSer's views are wide
ly different from others. He said:
There cannot be any ground for an
objection to Roberts because he is a.
Mormon. Our constitution does not
measure his position, prerogatives and
privileges by any religious test. Not
because / believe in MorInonism hut
because l believe in religious freedom.
He had three wives before Utah was
admitted to statehood. What is he to
DO? Cast off his wives? make his chill
dren illegitimate offspring? his wife an
outcast?
Does this second wrong right the
first wrong?
This is special case and demands
special consideration.
Because he and his wives. acting
IN good conscience, did some things
which are not right in themselves. they
must be tolerated because there is no
way to right them.
TO repudiate obligations of marriage
TO two or three wives when the rela-
ton was established in what was rel
atlvely legal condition of affairs. is
not right unqualatatively.
think that the people are getting
excited over these affairs unnecessar-
lily; the vital question is whether fhe
united states government. having
mace polygamy illegal by the admis-
sion OF Utah as state does the case
| involve case of casuistry?
we all recognize that the principle
OF polygamy is not approved"
In reply to the question, SHOULD Mr..
hoperts be seated in the congressional
hallS? Rev. A. u. Conrad said.
The. seating of a man in congress
VINO has three wives and boasts
OF 1t, is infamous; it is an insult TO ev-
cry woman in the land.
rms tidal wave of Indignation is
not an outburst of fanaticism, but the
protest of decent people against moral
indecency."
Or: Archibald McCullagh has studied
| the Mormon question thoroughly He
spent several months gathering inter-
estlng data regarding them, and says
that be believes that the Mormons who
elected Roberts have never made any
attempt TO suppress polygamy, but
have cautioned the people TO appear to
observe the laws. He spoke regarding
the seating of Roberts, and as to
whether Massachusetts people should
petition the representatives and sena-
tors to demand he withdraw, in the
following manner:
IF polygamy is an institution this
country condemns as illegal, man
who is wanton violator of the laws
of the land should not represent us
in congress.
''Mr. Roberts is so bold in his asser-
tions. and he so openly challenges the
moral sentiment of the country. and
says that he has right TO violate the
law, that | consider him to be a dam
gerous man.
81 believe that the family institutions
of America are the foundation of So
ciety, and any assault upon them would
open the floodgates of public indigna-
! Hon hNTrR Il
traditions must be respected and up
held.
i do not think that it ought to he
necessary for the people of Massachu-
sets to say one word. The laws of the
land will be enforced as far as our ma
tional representatives are concerned.
Mr.. Roberts position disqualif1es
MIN from taking seat in the House"
Rev. DR.. John r. futile of Union
| Church said
Il have not carefully considered Rob-
ertS case, but from the general state
ments that / have read in the newspa-
pers ] am Of the opinion that the peo-
pie OF this country should rise up and
oifer a general protest against the
seating OF this man in the halls of con-
gress.
Inc state of Massachusetts leads in
all things and should not hesitate to at
once loudly proclaim its protest.
The mans own statements condemn
him. 1t is degrading for man to
sneer at what he calls the actions Of
| religious fanatics. He insults the best
moral sentiments of the country.
This is surely the time for the anti
mormon sentiment to voice itself.
II is an insult to womankind to even
make an attempt to seat Roberts in the
halls of congress-"
Rev. Woodman Bradbury pastor of
the Pleasant Street Baptist church
said regarding the seating of Roberts:
Il am opposed to it not on religious
grounds, for as a good Baptist, have
always believed in the separation of
the church and the state. but because
| believe Roberts act is unconstitution-
al
AS l understand it, Utah was adj
mitted to the union on the distinct UNI
Outstanding that polygamy was to be
abolished, and the seating of Roberts
might result in debarring Utah from
the sisterhood of states"
Rev. Moses H. Harris of All Souls
church, when seen in regard to the
seating of Roberts. declined to express
an opinion for publication.
II have not given this matter enough
consideration to express any opinion
upon it," said Mr.. Harris. 1T is a