Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-29
WHERE HE STANDS.

We have received the following letter
from Thatcher, Arizona. 1t was written
to Elder Andrew Kimball by Hon ]. F.
Wilson, Delegate In Congress from Ari-
zona. The views he expresses are those
Of the most prominent men Of the coun-
try. II is unfortunate, Of course, that
they are not in harmony with those Of
the organ Of the anti Mormon" cru
sade In this city but then, even great
minds sometimes differ on important
subjects. The people Of Arizona will,
doubtless, be pleased to know where
their delegate stands on a welghty con-
sttutonal question.
House Of Representatives,
Washington, ID, C.,
December eth, 1899,
Rev. Andrew Kimball, Thatcher. Arl-
IONA:
my Dear Sir-Yours Of November
3Oth replying to my inquiry OF the 26th
ult In the Roberts matter, came TO hand
yesterday,
In reply desire to say to you, that
/ had made up my mind to stand BY
the constitutional provision. which /
think regulates the subject In hand,
and, n carried out would have admitted
Mr.. Roberts TO the floor az a member.
AFTER looking into the matter | be-
came thoroughly convinced that II Rob-
erts was not admitted to be sworn in,
the Constitution would be walked over,
and a precedent made that would be
freighted with dangers TO such degree
that we will never be out Of It's reach.
II did what | could TO prevent what
/ deem an outrage upon constitutional
regulation that is, 10 stop II could IN
any way the crusade. or the effect Of
the crusade, In preventini; Roberts from
being sworn as a member, but II was Of
no avail.
They will not permit him to be sworn
In, and therefore Will rot permit the
sovereign State of Utah to be represent
ed upon the floor until they have tried
the case, so TO speak, or at least tried
the question Of fact involved In the al
legations by Tayler OF Ohio
MY lifelong friend Dinsmore OF Ar
kansas and an old member here took
my view Of Il. He advocated 1t upon
the floor. Richardson OF Tennessee. the
leader Of the Democrats In the House,
made an able defense Of the position,
but II was all like pouring water on
ducks back. II was unheeded, Mem
bers on our side voted against the
swearing OF Roberts through fear of
their constituency Petitions, seven
million strong. teemed In, and fanati-
cism has prevailed
II look upon the result with the deep
est OF solcitude and grave alarm
feel that the rights Of the sovereign
State OF Utah have been tTampled un-
der foot by the flaming, fanatical pas
sion Of the hour.
II say now, as have said to members
In as strong language as | could con-
troll, that before | would surrender my
own convictions upon the legal Ques-
tons involved. and as II follows the
Constitution and the law, and 10 the
sovereign rights Of a State | would sur
render my commission, resign my posi-
ton, and go home tomorrow. And this
is putting II mild when compared TO
the feelings / bear on the subject just
passed over.
What is to come and be reported as a
finding Of fact by the committee APP
pointed for investigation, can hardly
be foretold. but II the crusade that Is
now on, has anything like the influence
on that proceeding that II has had
upon the proceedings just passed It
may we'll be imagined, To this. / pro-
test always and everywhere. 1t is all
/ may be able TO do. fear II is all |
shall be able 10 do. but Il shall be done
with all the earnestness can command.
Wishing for the best. and fearing
the worst, I am
Your Obedient Servant,
]. +. WILSON"