Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-11
pTsEREr EVENING NEWS MONDAY, DECEMBER II, 1899.

Is concerned, there il no question but
that Roberts Is entitled 20 ms scat
He was elected by the people OF utah,
IS properly accredited and nobody con-
tests his seat. That is not all lie mas
renowned poiygamy and was memoer
Of the Constitutional Convention Whlch
prohibited the further praetce OF po-
lygamy IN Utah, But he does not pc
lieve that Il would be right Tor man
who. IN accordance with the pracilce q
bis religion and under the fanctioh OF
law existing al the time, married thIee
wives. 10 cast them all OF save one. ana
under the circumstances II seems 10 Us
that all fair-minded and reasoha1ie
people ought to agree win MN ne
has committed no ohense against we
law. because the Constitution OF the
United States expressly PROMPTS Noh-
gfess from enactng OK post faeto laws
we are as much opposed 10 polygalny
as anybody, but We believe that koD-
crts having married three women with
the sanction ~ both the law and the
Church is legally and morally, IN the
SIGHT Of Cod and man, bplnd 10 pro-
tect their good names. How can he
deliberately cloud their liyes2 How
can he afford 60 proclaim that two
OF those women whom he married
IN good faith occupy the same
relations as prostitutes and the
children born 10 them are bastards?
How can he brand two Of his wives as
wantons and put the seal OF illegitirhacy
upon the lives Of their children? For
him 70 do this I'm order 20 obtain office
would, IN our opinion be the foulest
phase OF human degradation. For him
20 accept this alternative as the price
necessary 20 purchase his political
rights would subject him to the deep
est damnatiou ever touched by any
creature.
"The washington code of morals has
not heretofore been considered so ex-
acting that men caught with devils
hook baiied with a pretty sunbOnnet
are not considered eligible 20 member
ship In Congress. When Congressman
Breckenridge committed assault and
battery on the seventh commandment,
with the aid Of Madeline Pollard, there
was nc talk Of driving him out Of Con-
rerss. lie Is now the candidate q the
Republican party and a few b0iting
Democrats in Kentucky, and is said 20
be very much opposed, on moral
grounds 10 having a Dolygamist as
colleague
"The whole agitation originated with
yellow journalism engaged IN promot-
Ing a fake advertising scheme. IL has
been aided by well-meaning Miss
Nancles. whose bumps Of morality are
unnecessarily lnfamed. Some OF the
men who have been loudest IN their
denunciatlon Of Roberts are notorious
rakes,"
"The chances are a thousand to one
that Roberts leads a cleaner and purer
life than half the men who will vote to
turn him out Of Congress.
The following is from the Baltimore
sun;
But the mode Of proceeding said to be
contemplated by the Republican ma
iority Is open 10 objection on other
grounds. II contcmplates, II is true,
an investigation into the facts Of the
case. But meanwhile. In advance OF
trial and conviction. II dcprives MT.
Roberts OF his seat and the State OF
Utah Of its representation. II sanctions
a practice which. u followed as q pre-
cedent. may prove prolific Of injustice.
The famous New Jersey case IN 1888
illustrates 10 what length party feel
Ing may be carried when the organi2a-
ton Of the House depends upon the
admission or exclusion Of certain MEM
bers regularly accredited and COM
mislsoned from their place upon the
roll and the right 10 be sworn In and
participate In the organization