Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-23

essary 10 give prlet review ot inc
whole matter
At the regular State convention OF
the Democratic party. Sept. 1ith, 1898,
In Salt Lake City. b. II. Roberts. was
nominated as Representative In Con-
gress for Utah on the first ballot, re-
celvlng a large majority over several
competitors. The delegates present
came from all parts OF the State, hay-
ing been duly chosen at county eonyen-
tlons. Both "Mormons" and non-"Mor-
mons" participated In the proceedings.
He was considered the most popular
candidate and the most capable man
for the position. His nomination occa-
stoned great ENTHUSIASM. There was
no distinction made between the re-
ligious opinions OF the candidate and
those OF other members Of the conven-
ton.
At the Republican State convention
held September 2Srd. 1898, Alma Ed
redge received the nomination OF his
party for the office Of Representative.
"Mormons" and non-"Mormons" also
participated in his selection. He was
a Mormon" holding a prominent ecele-
siasticai position. He was the free
choice Of the delegates present who
were also regularly chosen by the peo-
pie The State was thoroughly can
vassed by both candidates, meetings be-
ing held in all the prominent places.
The contest was fairly but vigorously
conducted.
The whole contention was political.
The Mormon" Church took no part
either in the nomination or the canvass
on either side. Prominent "Mormons
participated in both, but solely as
American citizens, exercising their In
disputable rights. An Apostle accom-
panied the Republican candidate in his
tour OF the State, and made strong APP
peals in his favor and in support OF
the Republican party, but this was not
as a Churchman.
A personal attack was made upon
Mr.. Roberts, on account Of his alleged
domestic relations, by the Republican
paper in Salt Lake City. To this MI.
Roberts made no reply, as 1t was not
relevant to the question OF his election
as a Democrat or of his legal qualifi-
cations for the place. The assault kept
up in this manner, made friends for him
and aided in he achievement Of We
tory. The returns Of the election showed
81. 296 votes for Roberts, 29,6Sl for Ed
redge, and ISIS for Foster, making
plurality for Roberts OF b,665. The
Democratic nom" Mormon nominee for
Supreme Judge on the same ticket re-
ceived 1850 votes, the Republican
nominee S1,57S votes. Thus Mr.. Roberts
ran ahead Of his ticket.
At the proper time the successful can
dldate received his certificate OF cleo
ton. The Governor and Secretary ~
State were both Republicans, but fouad
no reason 10 withhold the evidence Oh
his election, against which there was'no
contest. Thus everything connected
with the election was legal and regular.
The religious ministers OF the sew
eral sects In Utah combined, with but
one or two exception, TO arouse the
country against the gentleman thus
fairly elected. In doing so they united
partizan and religious hatred They
were OF the opposite party In politics.
and hostile TO the Church Of which MI
Roberts was a member. They were
aided and abetted by the Salt Lake
Tribune in arousing the country
against the Mormon" Church, alleg-
ing that II was by the influence OF
that body that Mr.. Roberts gained his
election; also that in choosing him the
agreement with the nation, embodied
in the State Constitution, had been yio-
lated; that new polygamous marriages
were being solemnized, and the state
was "hning up with plural wives who
were not wives when Statehood was
obtained. and with thousands Of poly
gamous Children" that Mr.. Roberts
represented this condition OF affairs
and was chosen for the purpose OF
"cramming polygamy down the throat
Of the nation"
The preachers Travelled throughout
the country publishing these state
ments from the pulpit, while their or
gan here echoed their fulminauons at
home. The press OF the country took
M the refrain, and petitions were CIR
culated for signatures, asking Congress
10 repudiate the Representative from
Utah and to take steps 10 prevent MS
sitting as member.
So much transformation was spread
throughout the land, that a veritaple
storm OF indignation was aroused ana
only one side OF the subject could OBJ
tain hearing.
A New York paper Of the sensational
species, espoused the cause OF the cru
SADIE and hired spies to pry into the
family affairs Of the Congressman from
Utah. and OF the Mormon people gen.
orally. BY this means cases of the con-
tinustion OF family relations in plural
families were brought to public notice,
and in a few instances fines were I'M
posed for this infraction Of a State
statute.
Attempts we're made to convict Mr..
Roberts OF this offence, but they were
not commenced until he had left this
State on business in the East, prepar-
atory 10 his going to Washington to
attend the Congress. During all the
many months while he was In Utah
after his election, no step was taken to
prevent his leaving the State In time
for the opening Of Congress, fears be-
ing entertained that II, as was proba-
Bile, the case against him should fan