The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-09
ANSWER TO RoRERrys PLEA.
Statement by . Committee OF Citizens o
Utah.


Utah.
wLsHrSoroS. Dec. S-J. c. lin. G. W. Mar
tin. @. II. Owen. j. n. Coombs md A. T.
schroeder OF Utah. a committee which came
here to oppose tho seating OF Representative
Roberts. have made reply to what they term
Eobcrtss appeal for sympathy. published to-
day. and which. they say. contains statements
needing correction. As well as suppressing
many facts In the case. The committee say:
Mr.. Rohertss contention that no evidence
Of his guilt can be received except q judicial
record OF his conviction In Utah. ~ m after OF
law is erroneous. and as a natter 81 practice
dangerous. because Mr.. Roberts and his all
powerful and inspired priesthood can prevent
such conviction II they consider II worth while.
''Mr Roberts claims that whatever wers his
civil disabilities before Statehood. they wero
removed by the adoption OF the State Con-
stitution. II at the time OF the passage
OF the enabling act Mr.. Roberts was, Ms
he seams 10 this appsal 10 admit, dis
franchlssd by act OF Congress. and there
fore not . full Citizen OF the United
states-as by the Constitution he must BE- TO
become a member OF Compensation he Ia still
IN that same condition. because the Constitu-
tIon Of Utah could not restore him to Federal
citizenship. and the enabling act did not do II.
The enabling act Of Utah. unlike that ~ some
other States. required citizenship OF the United
States as q qualification for voting. and did
not confer that citizenship upon those then not
itzens. Hence Mr.. Roberts's statement that
by Utah becoming State he was REIN bilitatei
with the wanting attributes OF citizenship Is
unvarranted.
'"Mr. R,berts, says he has not been onyicted
Innocent. He Ia now fugitive from justice In
Salt Lake county on a charge 81 qninwfai co.
tisas NJ
Of sduItery IA felony under the law. Of. Utah
Mormon prosecuting attorney.
'Mr. Rob.rts.. In hIs attempt to beli'tle his
s'%as hs' Know" M 0 Sss
tina, he has been under oath and betore the
| proper prosecuting others charged with the
isSny aShs5 Ss n ss."re that IN
1879 he, pleaded guilty e a mis- smeano,,
tns same %ns s ssts IN the District ~ Of csiumbS
sven aS.anty 90 o., that :. SMs%oer Of
SasS L s only YII mis en- eanor Here. again.
ought 70 know Uni1swiu, SHh At y
which Mr.. Roberts is sharaed in Davis county.
Is%i n eahaSi,atsn and aduserV are isiop
a. defined BY tie Utah statute and u Ia only In
o!a Th s' charges. il View o. the EImunds and
Elmunds. Tucker law Of the United States.
81 In force. warrant MT Hohertss exclusion.
not an isolated case. but one representative OF
MANY sentimental reorle are being misled
,c@IE' his M polyssmou. wives when il was
70 Sr GS 81 IN Usss sSen Es Rotsqs sas
and y Re time o. e, The pafTsss !. sss
there lore. amoun,s only 70 this. that i. SHOULD
be allowed 10 continue his criminal practices.
he S.s ms SS .Sou
support his families, but also deman,d that he
shall cease the beRetting OF further illeRtimate
,hs sSy tRss Which Rs
| fuses to yield. In this matter we d isclaim any
desire e have him declared insliGible because ~,
iailng and dsfying the laws of our State. Of the
United States, NJ connie decnncy.
ots1 Hns Ss ne, ~ sns sss1
shoW show that we oppose NJ Roherts, not upon
tm "s 1SS by him, but becsuss Sc Of hs crimiSa
practices N"ithsr is this q matter Of reliG.
lous or po.lti,sl persecution or prejudice
ent churches and men who, belong to nc
church, those who are Republicans and those
M Roher = denies and we assert that the
compact between Utah and the other state,
has been violated That compact was evidenced
Il, BY me manifesto Of the Mormon Church
in 1870. which was by their leading men Inter
rretnd under oath 20 prohibit the continuance
o. polygamou s relations as well rs the contract
~ By ths Utah LEGISLATURE, which in 100.
made unlawful cohabitation as well as poyga
nous crimes against the territory.
~ BY the solemn pledges OF the apostles o
this all god church that these laws would b'
Deerfo0t Farm SSusnEes.
L. pat, n, lsIt md n