The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-07
WOMEN AGAINST ROBERTS.
MISS HHLEy GOULD DESOUNCEs NOR
MON COSGRESsMaN -ELECT

Representatives to Ala tho Crnshde'
Members and friends OF the American Fe-
male Guardian Society and Homo for the
Friendlsss. to the number Of more than 49,
almost all Of them women. assembled at the
Home In East Twenty-nnth street yesterday
afternoon In response to Miss Helen Gould's
invitation. to forward the endeavor among
women OF the United States to prevent the
seating OF COnRressman-elect Brigham II.
Roberts Of Utah. Mrs. George b. Watts. Presl-
dent OF the society. called the meeting to or
der. The first speaker was Mrs. Darwin H.
James. She said:
The women are a mighty host. a great
power. in this country Men In this com
merclal age are absorbed In their AFFAIRS. |
rarely ask my husband to do anything lie Is
already overburdened. The moral questions
must be- considered by women. aud
one OF these questions 10 Mormonism. Who
would have said that little church started
near Palmyra in this state In 1880 would In
1899 hold the balance OF political power In
seven States and Territories and its votaries he
prophesyng that people now living would
It hold the balance OF power in every
State OF the Union? There are ZOO mission
aries OF that Church working in this country.
The Mormon Church is church Of lies. To
lie is part OF their religion. The
missionaries are cultured. agreeable gem
tIemen. They do not say they are
MOrlnOns or lOIyRdmlsts. buL III tle 'HulCh
are three orders of exaltation. the celestial
whatever that word may mean the terrestrial.
and the celestial. The celestial order IL the
Order Of Enoch and OF plural marriages and
all Of the saints are urged to reach It. that they
may walk with God like Enoch.
The Mormons say they believe In God tho
Father. God tho Son and God the Holy Ghost.
They believe God the Father man like the
men OF earth. who came to earth to please one
~ lie 18th Iati tlf tbnt
God tho Son was a polyRamist Mary and
Martha being his wives: and that God the
Holy Ghost 10 a lively spirit like the ordinary
mans spirit standing by the Son as man
stands by his friend ON earth. Mormonism Is
farmors debasing than Mohammedani ism and
its converts In this country In 1897 exceeded
the converts OF the Congregational Presby-
terrain and Baptist Churches combined"
Mrs. Fred Smith Bennett Of EnElewood
treasurer OF the propaganda OF the anti
Roberts party throughout the country. said:
Enthusiasm. as has been said. is nothing
but conviction on fire II all the enthusiasm
we American women eXpend could b turned
into one channel suppose there Ii nothing we
could not have. but we do not make up our
minds and agree. Probably no question has
agitated the women OF the country as this Of
the purity OF the home. DO you think
any OF us would be willing TO share our
husbands with one. two or a dozen wives? This
thing to-day isn't mere play. We can't go
home and fold our hands and say Yes. too
bad. but there's nothing / can do about it,
Under the Edmunds law Brigham II. Roberts
was convicted and sentenced for living with
more than one wife. He continued to do so
and to have children. He has said: Technically
what a convenient wordl-a law against CO.
habitation crept into the statute books: that
law has not been enforced How many people
know that in five months recently some 200
women went from Brooklyn to Mormon settle
ments?
THE women have set out to induce Congress
20 refuse to seat Mr.. Roberts. and not to stop
there. but to influence voters 80 that Congress-
shall put under way an amendment to the Con-
,ttution. such as that no State can legaize
poygamy and no polyRamist hold public office.
Act SO that your Representatives won't dare to
vote against that amendment. II Brigham II.
Roberts stays In the House Of Representatives.
the Mormons will simply say: We flung down
the gauntlet to the people OF the United States
and they did not dare to take 1t up
Miss Gould stepped forward when Mrs. Ben
nett had ceased speak ing and offered this reso-
luton. reading 1t herself:
{" Whereds Brigham II. Roberts. who has
boon elected as Representative from Utah to
the Fifty-sixth Congress. Is a polygamst and
us such Is attacking the sanctlty OF home life,
therefore. be it
"Resolred That We. the women assem- bed
at the call OF the American Female Guardian
Society and Homo for the Frlendless. do
earnestly protest against the seating Of said
Roberts; and be it
'Resolrsd, That We urge all men and women
to use their influence with their respective
Congressman to prevent said Roberts taking
his seat"
The resolution was adopted. after which
moro than fifty OF those present signed a
promise to use every means In their power to
induce all mon over whom they have
any influence to write to their Congressmen en-
elect urging them to prevent the seating OF
Roberts. Miss Gould said In response to re-
quests that she should state her views at
greater length:
am glad to have an opportunity to pro-
test against the seating I'm Congress OF man
who advocates aud practises polygamy. Our
country has been noted in the past for the
beauty OF its home life and the chivary and
respect shown by men to women. It would be
sad indeed to see man who stands for tho
Oriental harem seated among our lawmakers
earnestly hope that mon will feel willing to
write their Congressman urging them to ri SO
In protest against Mr.. Roberts when Congress-
opens"
Among the signers of tho promise to work
upon Congress and cltizens generally were. be-
sides Miss Gould: Mrs Watts. the President OF
the society' hrs. James GrlsWOld VENT OF tho
West End Womens Republican Club Kate
Foster. Mrs. L. b. Grannis. Mrs. II. + Bridewell
OF Birmingham. Ala. Mrs. L, NJ Poates OF Cali
forna: Mrs Andrew Byrnes Of Butler Pa
Coz. James L. Tate of Baltimore Miss Theresa
BarcaloW. Miss Jane d. q. Thompson, Mrs
Margaret W. Ravenh. Mrs. w. j Ladd, Mrs.
John X. Pope. Mrs. John L. Hamilton. Mrs.
John A. lngham and Mrs Lawson y. Fuller
HOMIS ON THE ARHr CINTEEX.
w. &. 7. L. Delegates of Connecticut Angry
Mt President Mckinley.