The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-21
9UsH AND POLITICS.
The Roberts Case-Tho Recollection of
Brooks.

The Roberts Case-Ths Recollection of
Brooks.
To THE EpIToR OF TIE SUN-Sir: One OF
tho most conspicuous results OF Bryanism,
Populism and Rush 10 the DEVELOPMENT OF a
msudlin sentmentality which obscures and
belittes what are simply legal questions. The
Democrats have hitherto held the monopoly In
furnishing tho public with this kind OF stun.
and It Is TO be regretted that some Repu blicans
at least make use Of the Roberts case 70 gush
on their sooount
The Constitution OF the United States pro-
soribes tho necessary qualifications OF q
Representative. These are but three: He
must be 26 years OF aRsi seven years q
ctissn Of the United States and an inhab-
liant OF the State from which he Ia chosen
~. g. Cons. Art. l. SEQ. l. Sub. y. Subject to
these requirements. the voters can elect any
sort OF a man they choose neither the State
nor Congress can impose any further
rsauirement Or additional qualification
,S and eject sSes tSs HOUSE Of Reprs
Quirement they may see At. and thus over
elares that each House shall be the Judge OF
the election. retnrns and qualifications Of It's
part Of ths sm and wS the same 0 :uS
iect. are what the law calls w par, mater.a.'
ss
Oh all BE- a Representative who shall not have
attained the age Of twen'E.five years. been
q shas STATE ne "hicS 10 q shall II shcssn
and the House OF Rsprese natives shall be the
Judge whether he possess these three Qusllnos-
shus a. the :,s,smsns so1E.s.
that the House has no lawful right or power to
debar Roberts from his seat for there Is no
claim that he has not the Affirmative required
qualifications
but It is said that some dozen years ago
only % tho hsn
Sn ghs q 40 9, sS e
sSpsiteislns e s!s,s: ens ss ''a Sss
her own Congress- Representative. subject
only to the above-mentioned restrictions
OF the C r.. Utah was
electinR the kind OF Democrat W no suited them.
and they preferred one with three wives. There
ths 0 rSSt Tbs oon.etuton prsscrbss h 90
moral tcst to be applied 70 a Representa-
S co TNoT the Sstss # ss hsS wSS nyi
be most dangerous one. II moral test was
allowed, member might be refused admission
poker than the other members thought adyia-
able. or was not In Al respects q second Joseph.
Such tests. u insisted upon, might make sad
havoc In both Republican and Democratic ranks
IN tonHrehh.
Nor can Roberts be lawfully expelled. Tho
power OF expulsion clearly H. to be exercised
only for some cause arising during the mem:
before he is admitted. The language OF the
Constitution is that the House may punish It's
members for d isorderly behavior and with the
CONCURRENCE OF two-thirds expel mem ber."
Ing for admission. They can only determine
| whether or not his election and his aualnca-
tons enable him 70 be received. Even II a
member is expelled, 1t Ia no bar to his
reelection to succeeding. or II think
to ths same Congress When the Demo-
derous assault on the Republican Charles
House by a two-thirds vote His so1th Caro- tne
INA Democratic constituency presented him
with canes innumerabl e. and the advice that
they be used on the heads Of other Republicans,
and by q practically unanimous vote reelected
him to the House, whe;e he was admitted with.
out question. The bully Brooks was a fitting
and legal representative OF the Democracy in
those Jays, hs the poyRamous Roberts II its Mt
ting aud legal representative now. There is
| no occasion FOR any Investigating committees
as nc evidence or renort could change the legal
time and money. The House has no right TO
| hold up" Roberts. and deprive him OF his seat
| while they are Investigating" a question any
| possible solution OF which could not Lawful ly
! have the slightest effect on that seat and vote
! As o Republican who gave his first vote for
Abraham Lincoln, and never saw reason to
/ the Republicans committing nm unlawful or
unjust act In this case The party il strong
/ enough to do right, and derives its strength
from the fact that through its past history It
hqs done right IN THE JUDGE.