The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-06

THE gentleman seems also to forget the
| fact that since the confession of that mis-
demeanor to which he has referred there
/ was passed by congress enabling act
authorizing the people of the state of Utah
to form a state government That enabling
act also had a provision embodied in it
that qualified all the citizens within the
limits of the territory to become citizens of
the United States, and was particularly
framed to remove the dsqualifcations and
disabilities which had been created by the
Edmunds-Tucker law. The gentleman
seems also to forget that the state consti-
tuion of Utah was satisfactory to the
president and his advisers, and Utah has
been admitted as a state into the union
and has taken upon Itself the responsible
| ties of a sovereign state, declaring under
its constitution who of the people residing
| in its borders snail exercise the elective
franchise and be qualified for office cit,
liens of that great common wealth
1.-The second charge, which is supposed to
| go to the question of eligibility of the men,
| Der from Utah Is upon affidavit and other
papers in his possession. The gentleman
| from Ohio says that ever since 1889 l have
| been a persistent law breaker in the state
| OF Utah. If that be true, let me ask why
| 1t was that was not punished for law
| breaking. Certainly there was no DISPOSE
| ton not to execute the law on the part OF
| the people of Utah. The administratio
was in the hands of non-Mormons and of
| faith. All the machinery of the law was
| III the hands of federal appoln tees. How is
| 1t then that l could be an open and defiant
law breaker and yet escape the penalty of
| the law?
THE gentleman's objection is then based
| not upon court records but upon affidavits
| ana papers that nave been supplied him
by the people.
| As to Making of Charges
| "And now as to the manner in which
| these charges are made. 1t has been about
| fifteen months since they began since the
representative from Utah was heralded
| throughout this land as a defiant law
| breaker. And yet l walked the streets of
| Salt Lake in open day within easy reach
| of the law, and my faults lay open to the
| law II L We're guilty of t-ansgressing.
| Other men were arrested before the courts
of Utah and were fined for the very offense
| alleged against me, and yet no complaint
| was made against me- No, it did not suit
| the purpose of those who held this present
| agitation in hand to vindicate the law
| quietly and by the usual methods. They
| desired particularly to have this case upon
| which apparently to arouse the sentiment
| of the country. Not until my business
called me east did they undertake to make
| any charges against me. But the moment,
| or shortly after my departure, they began
| this agitation resulting in the present senti-
ment of the country as it is aroused
| against me.
II call your attention next to the fact
| that the only charge against me, even by
| the proponents of this resolution, is that of
| misdemeanor. They don't charge a
| felony.
| 81 understand that the members of con-
| gress are granted certain privileges while in
| attendance upon this house. 1t would be
| impossible to arrest any one of the men,
| bers upon the charge of a misdemeanor.
| And yet you would deny me the privilege
| of being sworn as a member of this house.
| upon the allegation of the existence of
| some charge other that l was guilty OF
| a misdemeanor. For the thing for which
the law itself could not lay a hand upon
| me while in attendance upon this house,
| you propose. / speak of the little coterie
of men who have entered into this con-
| spiracy to crowd this question to the front
| at this particular time and for the reason
| that they are fearful that if the matter
| should go to consideration under resolu-
| ton to expe the member from Utah they
| could not marshal the necessary two-thirds
| vote to accomplish their purpose to pass the
| present resolution.
| Protecti n to His Constituency
ST understand, sir that these immuni-
| ties are not given for the benefit OF the
| individual members. They are given rather
| as a protection to mis- constituency who are
| entitled to his services as their representa-
| tive And, therefore, I invoke the pro-
| lection that is given to the constituency as
L PfNNNONN+-e'-
| that are instituted here to deprive me OF
| the privilege of being sworn In as mem
| Der of this house.
| privilege, did l say? l am not asking
| any privilege in this house. l am not ask
| ing any favor of the members of this
| house Under the shadow of the conettu-
| ton of the United States l merely demand
| both for myself and for the people of my
| state the protection that is due us, and 1t
| is a demand, and it is asking no favor.
l + No ha side
| the galeries).
| Mr. Roberts next called attention to the
| precedent In the Forty third congress in
| the case of Mr.. Cannon, adding: 81 can
add nothing to the force cc that gentle
| mans remarks, except this, that in the
| case of Mr.. Cannon the house was dealing
| with delegate from territory, not the
| representativ of the people OF a sovereign
| state. They were dealing with a delegate
| who was created by statute passed by
| the congress of the United States And
| throughout the discussion it was alleged
| as a reason for taking exceptions to him
| that they could do so because he was I'M
| protected by the provisions of the constf-
| tuition. And yet, sir, notwithstanding ne
| was but creation of law, still they adj
| mitted him a member upon the floor
| of this house.
| "Stood Not Tenantless''
| at is to be remarked in this connection
| that, strange to say, the course of nature
| was not disturbed. Notwithstanding an
| alleged polygamist was permitted by the
| vote of a republican congress to remain
| upon the floor of this house. it did not
| transpire, as it is said it did transpire in
| ancent Rome, a little ere the mighty julius
| fell The graves stood not tennantless
| The sheeted dead did not stand and giber in
| the streets of Rome. Why, sir, the sun
| was not darkened the moon turned
| to blood. Actually, sir, the rain continued
| to fall upon the just and the unjust alike
| (Applause). Gentlemen of the democratic
| party, some few of whom may perhaps
| tremble a little at the thunderous objec-
| lions that have been presented as pre-
| tending to voice the sentiment of the pub
| lie upon this subject, l want to call your
| attention to another thing, and that Is that
| Notwithstanding republican congress
| seated this man, yet the republican party
| really survived it's action. (Laughter).
| WHY. Il is here TODAY and / believe great