Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-01-27
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES.
THE PoLYoAMous STATESMAN.

THE PoLYoAMous STATESMAN.
The case of Mr.. Roberts of Utah, who
lives with several wives in polygamy
but was nevertheless sent to congress,
gets more and more attention. What
will the house of representatives do
about it?
Ex-senator Edmunds has written
letter giving his opinion In the matter.
The "Edmunds law prohibiting po-
lygamy in Utah and depriving polyga-
mists of civil rights, was made for the
territory and applied only to the terri
tory. Being admitted to the Union the
national government cannot interfere
with the domestic concerns of Utah.
The Utah constitution prohibits polyga-
nous marriages. but does not forbid liv-
ing in polygamy nor do the laws, and
Mr.. Edmunds thinks that polygamist
may be legally elected to congress.
Mr.. Edmuuds says that the house
must admit Roberts to his seat if his
case meets certain requirements. Was
he elected? Was he of constitutional
age? Is he a citizen of the United
states? Was he an inhabitant of Utah
when elected? These requirements be-
ing met afiirmatively the polygamist
will be entitled to take a seat in con-
gress.
But, being admitted, the house has
the right to expel him if it chooses.
Either house of congress may eXpel a
member by two-thirds vote, and there
is no limit to this power. The house
may expel Roberts if it finds that he is a
he,
Edmunds, "be reproach to its dignity
and good name to continue Mr.. Roberts
as member" Further: "lf it does
not act at all (supposing the facts to be
as stately it will have given its acquies-
cent approval of the conduct of Mr..
Roberts, and of the action of the people
who elected him with full knowledge of
the circumstances and henceforth it will
be Justly considered that the house has
no disposition to interfere with the
practice of polygamy in Utah. If it
does act, and expel the member, it will
have declared against the perpetuation
of that system"
This seems clear enough, but Charles
G.. Whttemore, United States district
attorney for Utah, is reported to make
some statements which may put new
face on the matter. 1t seems that while
Utah was yet territory and the Ed
munds law was in force-in lSS9-Rob-
erts was indicted for living in polygamy,
and ran away and forfeited his bail.
But he reappeared and was rearrested in
1891, and thtn pleaded guilty and was
fined and imprisoned. This action, Mr..
Whittemore says, took from him all
civil rights, including the right to hold
office, and those rights have never been
have been granted polygamists by presi-
dents. but only to ." reformed"
and this Roberts
If this Whittier Ir.
Roberts elcv,,vu was apparently void,
and that's the end of it. We shall see
when the next congress meets.
And, aside from all questions of seats
in congress, there is human question
involved not absolutely easy to answer.
Mr.. Roberts is reported to have said, in
substance, that his wives married him
in good faith and that he undertook to
provide for them and that if he turned
them out they would be left destitute
and helpless, and he wants to know If
people would have him do that. There
Is certainly question there. Perhaps
if the Mormons have both goodness and
gold to spare they will organize sort of
helping hand society to care for extra
wives in such cases.-Rdtland Herald.