The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-07

vN A STATEMENT telegraphed
from Washington to the Phila-
a delphia Record Brigham H. Rob-
erts, the elect from
Utah, says:
The action of the house In my case was
not surprise to me. The whole matter
was evidently prejudged and the minds
of members made up to follow the course
that had been outlined. When the ques-
tion comes to be considered by members
of the house after pressure of public
opinion is removed, | think the case will
stand as a vicious violation of the we'll
established precedents which have fixed
the rules of the house. The foundation
is now laid for confusion, chaos and rev.
Olution in the organization of the house,
and the rights of the members therein. A
precedent has been established which will
yet excuse the same denial of rights to
Roman Catholic, a Presbyterian, an
agnostic or any one Who may be unfOr-
tunate enough to stand under condemna-
tion Of a popular sentiment, lashed into
frenzy by misrepresentation and false
hood as i'm my instance. ! was met at
the very bar of the house ana denied the
protection granted by the rules of that
body and the constitution of the United
States because l was a member of an
rests a sectarian hate. The matter of de-
nying me the right to be sworn in is In
Itself not a very important matter so far
aa affecting me personally is concerned,
but ii is a fact that the right Of repre-
sentation of "a sovereign state has been
denied by this action.
IT is an easy thing to charge misrep-
resentation and falsehood; but before
n inc
intelligent and patriotic American citi-
zens who have lifted their voice against
Roberts admission can be believed it
must be proved. The action of the
house of representatives on Tuesday
was not a rejection of the credentials
of the representative-elect from Utah
but the reference of these credentials
TO special committee of nine members,
charged with making a judicial inquiry
into the facts. such inquiry to be re.
ported to the whole house for final ac-
tion. The opportunity will not be de-
MED to Mr.. Roberts to appear before
this committee with persons and papers
for the, purpose of rebutting whatever
may be brought before 1t in way OF
challenge of his right to sit in the con-
gress Of the United States If the ac-
cusation against him that he has direct
ly violated the law and the will of the
United States with regard to polyga-
NOUS cohabitation be disproved; or, in
other words if this accusation be not
established beyond reasonable doubt,
then the committee, if it be Just and
tair, will report in favor Of seating
Roberts and the case against him will
drop If ii shall appear after honest
and thorough inquiry, that Roberts Is
Pn0cent of the offences charged; that
a good faith he has obeyed the law
dld the will of the country in the mat
re- at issue and that the outcry against
Mn hos proceeded under a general mis-
apprehension of the real facts, we be-
HeVe there is enough manhood on that
special committee and in the whole
congrtss to do the just thing regardless
OF puht clamor; and doubt of this
should Aot be entertained until created
by the l'gle of events,
There y no. present call therefore.
Tor Syrppathy tor or against Roberts
He 'fs-not slmartyr The issue before
congress does not concern his religion
or his conscience but his acts as a citi-
zen. Belief in this country is free.
Conscience is tree. The right to wor-
chip as any man shall choose is free
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