The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-17
UTAH CITIZENS
ENTER PROTEST
Action Of Congress Denounced
BY Republicans.
MASS MEETINGS HELD
In UTAH COUNTY
Resolutions Adopted at Lehi and
American Fork.
One Democrat at Lehi Opposed the
Resolutions Because He Believed
Roberts Was DISTINGUISHED
Thomas r. Cutler, Republican,
Declares the Action of Congress
Is an Outrage-Similar EXPIRES
sions from American Fork.
Especial to The Herald,


citizens held here tonight vigorous
protest was made against the action of
congress in refusing to administer the
oath of office to Congressman Roberts.
Stirring speeches were made by the
Democratic party leaders and by promi-
nent citizens, and the meeting was well
attended
The resolutions which were adopted
at the meeting at Springviile last
Monday were presented for the consid-
Grafton of the citizens assembled in this
city tonight, and were passed with only
one dissenting vote. 1t was Prime
Evans who raised the objection to their
adoption, He made the closing speech
of the evening, and though no one at
tempted to answer him, the resolu-
lions were passed with no vote put MS
opposing them.
Mr. Evans began by saying that he
was as good Democrat as any in the
state st want to be considered just as
sincere as you want to be considered"
he said. II object to this protest
against the action of congress on the
claim that Roberts is not a citizen.
and / want you to understand that /
am sincere about it. I am opposed to
him, and my contention is this: Rob-
erts was disfranchised with others.
When he was pardoned his pardon had
a condition attached to ii requiring him
to obey the law. But he has not met
the condition-he has violated the law
haven't any objection to the people
of Utah protesting against the action
of congress so long as they are sincere
but L. too, must be considered sincere.
l did not intend to speak here, but
wanted to place myself right before the
people of Lehi. - - ss-'>
Z The meeting was called to order at
s o'clock and Professor G.. M. Chiids
was elected chairman, Sewan thinner
man being chosen to serve as secretary
Senator Evans Remarks.
Hon. Abel John Evans was the first
speaker. He said that he was very
happy to be present and to express his
disapprobation of congress in refusing
TO swear Roberts in; that Roberts holds
a certificate of election and yet he is
denied the right to hold office and is
given no chance to, present his case.
Congress has stood by the representa-
tive from Ohio who interposec4the OBJ
jection,'' said Mr.. Evans Every per-
son heretofore who has presented a
certificate signed by the governor and
secretary of state, except in those
cases which arose out of the civil war,
has been seated. President Garfield
and Senator Hoar. who were then in
the house, maintained that this same
objection to George @. Cannon, who
was elected as a delegate from Utah,
was unconstitutional. l feel that this
proceeding of congress hurts me and
my compatriots.
There are three questions in this
case to be considered by the house.
First. is Roberts citizen of the United
States? Second. is he over % years of
age? Third, has he been resident of
the United States for seven years?
Those are the qualifications. When a
congressman has these he must take his
seat To refuse him is an outrage to
his constituents. AID in this case is an
insult to Utah. one of the brightest
and as faithful and good state as
there is in the Union. Not only should
the men and women of Utah, not only
should the brothers and sisters, but
the babes in arms should cry out with
protesting words against these proceed
ings."