Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-18

rXanlHed with sufficient care, and the pos
sIbility OF poiygamist being elected to
congress was not provided against
When the enabling act was passed by
congress it was required of Utah that her
constitution should prohibit pOlygamy and
her admission could not take effect IIntiI
the constitution had been examined and an
proved by Congress. This was all done bur
IL appears that the constitution which Com
gress deemed satisfactory was not suf-
f1ciently safeguarded to dispose of sucb
men as Roberts.
Congress Cannot Discriminate.
Inc reliance of those who think the diff
Guilty may be overcome Is in the provision
that congress shall be Judge of the Qualif-
cations Of its own members There ap-
pears to be a rnisconceptIon on the part Of
many. however, as to what this provision
means. II does not mean that Congress
can declare a special disaua LITIGATION in tho
case OF one man. which would not aDDIy to
any other man coming within the descrfp-
c"n- Congress has @ perfect right to de-
clde that the violation of the EdmundI
antl-polygaTny law shall be a disuuaufca-
ton, pOlygamy by that law being declared
a crime within the federal jurisdiction; but
the application cannot he confined to one
specific case if others are presented The
disqualification must apply to all who come
within It's terms
II Is this that gives Importance and sig
nihCanCe to the crusade against Roberts
II II Were only a moral spasu that Womb
pass off with the diSgorgtng of Roberts.
the case would b" too insignificant 70 war
rant tn" straining Of the Constitution ueC-
essary I" get at It; but since the applfca-
ton Of The principles adopted in this case
must be universal, the influence upon Con-
gTcsS must be very great If the people
whose moral SenSihiiries are shocked sue
coed In compelling Congress to unseat Rob
erts
The k.dmunds Law.
The EdmuHdS anti-polygarny law is in
force in the District of Columbia and the
territories. and there have been several
convictions in the District courts, though
none extending to persons of prominence
The law comprehends violations of the
marital obligations which in the courts
would be termed infidelity as well as a
piGfalty OF actual marriages; and if the
violation of this law is formally recognized
by the House as ground for expulsion from
membership in Congress, II Will be expect
ed :" have beneficial influence upon the
moral tone Of Congress, if it does not de
priv" both houses of a quorum before the
necessity FOR obedience Of the law Is fully
appreciated.
y strict enforcement of the law. with ex-
puIsioH from Congress as the penalty
would soon result in great care being taken
In congressional districts in the selection of
candidates for Congress and in a very
strict regard for the prophecies on the
Part of members after getting IN Congress.
This Congress having To deal with the
Roberts case Will probably feel compelled
TO preserve Il moral record such as no Con-
gress before has done and such as no leg
tSlatiVe body in the world is believed to
have reached. The expulsion of Roberts
i almost certain to be followed by many
prosecutions and some exoulsions If the
moral Indifference of past Congresses
should prevail in this.