Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-06

1
his naturalization papers, in order as he
| said. that all the documents in this ex-
| traordinary case should be before the
| House. He then read a paragraph from
| McCreary on elections containing gen.
eral caution against hasty procedure in
election contests.
Now, gentlemen" he continued, that
| is the statement of one whose book has
| authority in this country. And if il is
! the rule of the House of Representatives
| in cases that arise to the dignity of a
contest. how infinitely more should that
rule be observed when only a mere pro-
| test is made against member who pre-
sents himself to take the oath of office.
| Il next proceed to the consideration of
| the charges that are supposed to Justify
| what the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tay-
| ler) himself comedies to be an unusual
| proceeding, and which my friend on this
| side (Mr. Richardson, of Tennessee) has
| demonstrated to be an unprecedented pro-
ceeding.
THE gentleman from Ohio bases his
| charge upon court record. That some
II years ago in the midst of our con-
| f1ict in the then Territory of Utah over
| the subject of polygamy 1 pleaded guilty
| to charge of a misdemeanor. The gen.
| tleman seems to be oblivious to the fact
| that since the date of his court record
on TINS subject we have had two pres
fdential amnesties proclaimed that have
been applied to men disqualified by the
Edmunds-Tucker act. I understand gen.
tlemen who were lawyers to admit this
Iact, and they will certainly appreciate
the cost of it
The gentleman from Ohio has no court
record to show that l was, ever arraigned
OF condemned of crime whatsoever since
the PRONUNCIATION of the amnesty procla-
nation Of the President of the United
states. The gentleman seems also to for
get the fact that since the confession of
mat misdemeanor to which he has re-
Ierred there was passed by Congress an
ssnanling snag act authorizing the people of the
ment. That enabling act also had a pro-
vision embodied in 1t that qualified all
cltizens within the limits of the territory
and was particularly framed to remove
the disqualification and disabilities which
have been created by the Edmunds
forget also that the State constitution of
Utah was satisfactory to the President
and his advisers. and that Utah has been
aan haamitted as State into the Union and
OF a sovereign State, declaring under it's
constitution who of the people residing
IN its borders shall exercise the elective
citizens of that great Commonwealth.
The SECOND charge, which is supposed
to go to the question of eligibility of the
member from Utah, is that upon affidavit
and other papers in his possession the
gentleman from Ohio says that ever since
1883 have been persistent lawbreaker
in the State of Utah. If that be true, let
me ask why it is that I was not punished
for law-breaking? Certainly there was no
olsposltion not to execute the law on the
tration was in the hands of -Mormons.
of those who had no sympathy with men
OF OF ny religious faith; All the machinery
appointees. How is it. then, that / could
be an open and defiant law-breaker and
yet escape the penalty of law?
The gentlemans objection, then, is
eased not upon court record. but upon af-
hdavits and papers that have been sup
piled h him by the people.
=, And now as to the manner in which
tneSe charges are made. 1t has been
about Is months since they began. since
the representative from Utah was her
aided throughout this land as a defiant
OF Salt Lake in open day, within easy
reach of the law, and my faults lay open
70 the law If l were guilty of transgress-
courts of Utah and were fined for the
very onense alleged against me and vet
no complaint was made against me. No,
It did not suit the purpose of those who
dicate the law quietly and by the usual
methods They desired particularly to
have this case upon which apparently to
until my business called me East did they
undertake to make any charges against |
me But shortly after my departure they
began this agitation, resulting in the pres |
ant sentiment of the country now aroused |
against me.
II call your attention next to the fact
tnat the only charge against me, even |
by the proponents of this resolution, is |
that Ola misdemeanor. They do not |
charge a felony.
I understand that the members of Con-
gress are granted certain privileges while |
in attendance upon this House. 1t would |
be impossible to arrest any one of the |
members upon the charge of a misde-
NJ yy0f VAN i a.
privilege of being sworn as a member of |
this House upon the allegation of the
existence Of some charge or other that
thing for which the law itself could not
lay hand on me while in attendance
upon tbe ,ttls ,thlsHouse, house You PROPOSE speak Of
question to the front at this particular
time: and for the reason that they are
fearful that If the matter should go to
a consideration under resolution to ex-
pei pei the e,,pn mpembE from Utah they could
vote to accomplish their purpose-to pass
Il understand, sir, that these immuni-
ties are not given for the benefit of the
members. They are given
who are entitled to mis- services as Their
representative. And therefore I invoke
the protection that is given to the con-
stituency of sovereign State against the
proceedings thaC are instituted mere TO
deprive me Of the privilege of being
sworn in as a member of this House.
Privilege did say? Sir. am not asking
any privilege in this House, am not
asking any favor of the members of this
House. Under the shadow of the Con-
stitution Of the United States. merely
demand, both for myself and for the peo-
pie of my State, the protection that is
due to us. And it is a demand. 1t is
asking no favor applause on the
Democratic side and In the galleries.)
Mr.. Roberts next called attention to the
precedent in the Forty-third Congress in
the case of Mr.. Cannon adding:
Il can add nothing TO the force of that
gentleman's remarks, except this, that
in the case of Mr.. Cannon the House
was dealing with a delegate from Ter
ritory. not the representative of the peo-
pie of a sovereign State. They were
by statute passed by the Congress Of
the United States And throughout the
discussion it was alleged as reason for
taking exceptions to him that they could
do so because he was unprotected by
the provisions of the Constitution. And
yet. sir, Notwithstanding he was but a
creation Of law, still they admitted him
House.
ut is to be remarked in this connection
that, strange to say, the course of nature
was not disturbed. Notwithstanding an
alleged polygamist was permitted by the
vote of a Republican Congress to remain
transpire. as 1t is said it did transpire in
ancient Rome a little ere the mighty
Julius fell The graves stood not tenant.
less. The sheeted dead did not stand and
yibber in the streets of Rome. Why, sir.
he sun was not darkened nor was the