The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-02
ROBERTS STATES HIS. CASE.
DECLARkS THAT HE WAS REGU-
LARLY AND LEGALLY ELECTED.
Intimates That u His Constitutional Rights
Are Violated by Any Arbitrary Action of
Congress Ho VIII Appeal to tho Courta.

Intim ates That ~ His Constitutional Rights
Are Violated by Any Arbitrary Action of
Congress Ho VIII Appeal TO tho Courts.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-Representative Rob-
erts OF Utah. against whose membership in
the House contest Is TO be made on the
ground that he is Mormon. fully sets forth
his case from his standpoint in an interview
published in the Washington Evening Star to-
day. The interviewer was a woman. After
the reporter had suggested that the pro-
gramme seemed to be to give him no chance
to tight. and that he was not to DO permitted
to take the oath OF Office, Mr.. Roberts said:
II do not believe that the proposed measure
will be put in effect. i think the very emil
hence OF the counsel engaged by the oppos-
ton against me Is assurance to the contrary
OF that. In any event. however. 1 am regu-
larry. properly. lawfully elected to Congress.
and being 80 elected. II my constitutional right
to serve my constituents 10 violated by any
arbitrary action In tho House OF Representa-
tives. inspired by hysterical women. I am sure
justice is not so henpecked In the courts OF
the United States but I'll ind means Of hav-
ing my rights restored.
Concerning the legality OF my position
there can be but ono opinion. The constitution
OF the State OF Utah required that polyRamous
or plural marriages shall be prohibited for the
future. This retains part OF the territorial act
which further defined and punished continu-
Gus living In polygamous relation. Now. this
provision OF tho territorial act. defining and
furnishing continuous living In polygamous
relation. was omitted from tho constitution OF
Utah. not by tho act OF the Mormon Church or
OF q Mormon. but by n Gentle. formerly United
States Prosecuting Attorney OF the Territory.
Doubt existed In many minds. including my
own. whether the omission was made on the
understanding that the law which was
retained and embraced in the consti-
tuition was deemed to apply to continu-
GUS polygamous religion. The question was
put In the Constitutional Convention. OF which
was member. and the Official records OF that
body contain the assurance given that 1t
was not to DO so Understood. Later, un-
der tho statute law OF Utah. poygamy-
the act OF entering upon plural marriage
is defined felony. while 'polyGamous rela-
tions.' continuing from marriages performed
prior to the present law. are described as un-
lawful cohabltation. punishable as a misde-
meanor. Ihave not sought to enter into polyg-
! amous marriage since It was prohibited by
law. and II misdemeanor were proved against
me II could in no wise qualify my right to the
ONCE to which have been duly elected.
The charge that am the agent OF the Nor
mon Church. and that Utah. in sending me to
| Congress. has broken faith with the United
States. Is 80 absurd. in view OF the facts exist
| Ing. that II facts any more than law operated
| TO explain my position the latter would be I'M
| questioned. As Senator hawlins Of Utah.
| who. by the way. is GENTLE. has sot
forth. Utah In electing Mormon 70 rep
| resent her In Congress Ia guilty OF as
much and no more bad faith than the Presl-
| dent OF the United States. who has appointed
Mormons to offica. and the Senate. which has
| confirmed these appoint euts. was elected
"a lDlltlpnl htlalS- Mormon
| sect operated in my election az the Methodist
I or Episcopal might in another mans. 1nde-d
my political opponent in the contest for cleo
] tion was Mormon. nn apostle OF the Church.
| But the legal contention made In my behalf
are beyond question. -, There IS. however. on
the part OF the oppotttion against mo: no dis
to DO ruled out OF Congress lby a sentiment
no. IT is nothing 80 lucid and posi-
n'fiSsp Of somss WSo hearing
ugly word applied to me. have construed o
case OF the American woman Z honor violated.
| the sanotity OF the American home threatened,
! and. without seeking facts concerning me or
! what represont- war has been declared upon
| ness OF war that Il amounts TO persecution.
Then. further. to show how little my enc
| tioning my. position, they would have had me
drive out tr9m N, ny h21s G IND m
We were .' taught t a. ittIe chdr"n~w women
hsSa, in On dssi should ssa s4ss ID
| -woman who had mothercd my children.
! that are as dear to me- and to one another as
the children OF any Gentle family. and dear to
! father. brother. sister-these womsn and their
: my-children. my enemies would have had me
/ drive forth into the world. TO shift .or them
! selves, aud meet what fate m light have in store
mind bred in Mormon faith is as horrible
Gentle TO 10 similar violence to his
| one wife and their children. Mormons accept
unreservedty tho law forbdding any further
| polygamous marriages | do not know an in:
stance where this 10 not kent in perfect good
where Mormon has done violence to the
sanctity OF his family. 10 the pure devotion OF q
wife, expelling one into the street because OF
| the law which compcls new order and the
| natural termination OF the old.
| Il make no defence OF poygamy; mako no
defence OF polyRamous relations. l merely
| assert that when man hnds himself IN
the position where my religion. coming nn-
placed me. he will have different prob
| lem to solve. reconciling good citizenship
| with the Office OF a true man and. for myself.
| have carried on the struggle as each man must.
| as every American may, according to the die
| tates OF my own conscience. l can look any
| man or woman in the face and say from my
! heart. have done no wrong This Is true.
| whatever happens. and l shall stand erect
| where am to fight or fall
SAYS n. AND o. ~ NOT ABSORBED.