Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-08
MR.. ROBERTS APPEAL
BE Issues an Address to the American
People.
Deny Ing the Right to Exclude Him
He DenOunces the Process
Chosen.

brigham H. ROBERTS or Utah, who vas
not allowed to be sworn in as a represen-
tative In Congress Of that state, has issued
an address to the American people. 1t
contains much that was said by Roberts
on the floor Of the House and by Mr..
Richardson. who opposed the resolution Of
Mr.. Tayler of Ohio. After reviewing the
facts and proceedings resulting In the ap-
pointment Of the committee he says
The member from Utah is not allowed 20
take the oath of his office, and committee
is appointed to try him as to his alleged
guilt of the offenses charged. Nay. even
more Is granted than was asked. at least
more than was asked upon the floor of the
House: For hostile committee has been
appointed to inquire into the case. Its
membership is made up entirely of those
who voted to adopt the method of pro-
cedure. Not one who voted against it was
allowed to find a place upon that commit
lee; and If the creation of such a tribunal
FOR such purpose be allowed, there Is no
reason why the committee should not be
made up of members of one political faith
1or the majority may do as it pleases about
that.
Eject of the Precedent.
Il ask the American people to stop and
think what that may mean to this coun-
try in times of high political excitement and
party strife and passion
Il deny the existence of the lawful power
OF the House to prevent me from being
sworn in on the presentation of the same
evidence of prima facie right upon which
others are admitted to membership.
deny the right of the House of Repre-
sentatives to resolve itself into the justice
of the peace court, to try me for a misde
meanor alleged to have been committed, in
order to find grounds of expulsion or exclu-
sion from the high office to which 1 was
elected.
ira i0hr Iob
power upon its committee
III l were guilty of the misdemeanor
charged, even fiagrantly so-here in the
capital could not even be arrested for
the offense, so slight Is it considered I'M
der the law The Constitution gives the
members OF Congress immunity from
arrest for rli5demeanors, except for breach
of the peace, and yet for an alleged mis-
while in attendance upon the House, or
while going to or from i'll am deprived
the right TO take the oath of Office my
final right 10 my seat Is in jeopardy; the
people of one of the sovereign states is
denied representation, long as 1t shall
suit the purpose of the committee to have
IL so, and the expressed will of the people
of a state is in danger of being defeated.
Even continuing the relations formed
before this settlement of the question.
though their disruption was neither de-
manded by the enabling act nor contem-
plated in the provisions of the state con-
stitution-are under the law misdemeanor
and punishable; but it has not been re-
garded as necessary to good morals or
offense, and neither by the republican
party or by democrats has the existence of
such relations been considered a bar to
political preferment until the political and
religious enemies of the present represen-
tdtiye from Utah thought proper to urge
them against him.
Guarantee for the Future.
American citizens. 1t is a Mormon who
is the object of the popula- clamor today.
may it not be the Catholic, or the Metho-
dist, or the free thinker, tomorrow? If
the rights of the representative from Utah
and of his state cannot be safeguarded by
the provisions of the Constitution and the
la VS. from the frenzy of popular fury, set
on fire by falsehood and distortion, what
guarantee have we that any ones rights
are secure? And Is it true that this mob
law ~ indirection Is to reach within what
should be the sacred precincts of the
House of Representatives itself? I shall do
all l can to maintain my rights, and indi-
rectly, yours, too, under the Constitution.
l stand alone, save for the very few who
gave me their very guarded support by
voting against the monstrouS proceedings
that prevents me from taking the oath of
Office. l without dollar at my COM
mand, except the salary attached to my
office. with which to fight the battle now
pending before the special committee. I
am without legal counsel except for the
kindly suggestions OF here and there
word from a lawyer acquaintance or friend
And, indeed. l prefer 1t to be so now, for
my case is so firmly rooted In justice that
1t needs but a plain statement of the facts
and fair application of the law to them
In order to make my right to my seat ap-
parent; and l want the condition here
named to stand a. a refutation to the SEN
satiOnal charges that have been made
about the Mormon church standing behind
me, with any amount OF money for legal
counsel, and the maintenance of a lobby
in Washington. But 1t is possible in the
present state of public sentiment that
sophistry and special pleading, adroitly put
may be accepted for the law, and many of
your representatives Influenced by the fear
they have of your disapproval of their acts
may vote against what are clearly the
rights in the case.
Il know not whether in this fight shall
win or lose; whether justice shall triumph
or malice bear down justice, but l shall
have this satisfaction If l fail that when
future ills grow out of this high-handed
measure, now being enacted, 1 did what |
could to prevent them.
''B. H. ROBERTS"