Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-07
VINO is IT THAT "ronoErs ~

"Tnc NeMh fofHeN tomttnlnks MIs
Roberts was stopped moment on the
threshold that n question or two might
be asked him. and he was given full
permission TO set himself right. He oc-
cupicd NIFTY minutes, hut his eNpinnn-
tons did not explain, The men who
rympathixcd with him and hoped that
he would set himself right. were forced
TO decide that his defense was fatally
deficient. and that there was nothing
90 do but to deny him the place he
sought"
Tho foregoing IL In tho customary
style OF the paper that has been en-
gagged for more than year, with n
cotcric OF religious ministers. In arous-
ing public sentiment to the point Of
fury. that members Of Congress would
feel compelled TO set aside ai precedent
and regard for constitution al provis-
Ions. no na not TO be In conn ct with the
popular demand.
hut II IN not the News that forgcta.
II IN the author OF the paragraph we
have quoted who forgcts. That In
common falling. II that writer could
only remember what appeared In the
columns OF his own paper ON wednea-
day he would perhaps perceive his err
ror. There Is nothing In the report NJ
the proceedings In the House of Repre-
scntativca on Tuesday which shows
that MIR. Roberts was stopped mo-
ment on the threshold. that question
or two might be asked him. and he was
Eiven full permission 20 set himself
right" He was stopped on the thrcah-
old by n prc-arranged scheme TO shut
him out. and that did not provide for
any Interrogation Of the victim.
lie was not asked to give any "ox-
PLANTATION" or expected to "sst himself
right" All that was to be rcforred to
a committee OF examination. The de-
hate was on a parliamentary PROPOSE
tlon. IL was az 10 the constitutional
power OF the House To refuse duly
elected and qualified member. bearing
credentials from a sovereign state as
Its Representative. the RICH, to take
the onth prescribed by law aud the seat
10 which he was thus entitled. pcndlng
an investigation OF charges against his
personal conduct.
There can be no honest contention on
this point. The telegraphed press re-
port TO all the papers settles Il beyond
fair dispute. When Mr.. Roberts pre-
scented his naturalization papers. which
were recognized as In due form. he met
tho only Legitimate objection to his
taking tho oath. one VI the qualin-
cations OF Representative In Congress
II that he must Be a citizen of the
United States. II had been asserted
that the gentleman was not natural
lied. He furnished proof that he was
other legal qualifications required are,
that he must be % years OF usc and an
inhnbltant OF the State In which he was
chosen. There was no contention ON
these points.
The resolutions Introduced on which
the debate took place we're, ON the part
OF AIR. Tayicr. that Mr. Roberts was
Ineligible and that before taking his
seat the whole matter should be re-
fcrrcd to a special committee. and on
the part Of Mr.. Richardson. that Mr
Roberts should be sworn In as mem
bcr upon his prima faclc case. and thcu
the question arising IA to his eligibility
and all other matters relating to his
case be referred to tho committee on
Judiciary. Thus the question at ISSUE
was simply and entirely one Of parlla-
mentnry procedure, and not FOR the pur'
pose Of giving Mr.. Roberts an oppor
tunity to set himself right"
Nor was anybody then forced to de
eide that there was nothing to do bu
TO deny him the place he sought" Thl
House did not 40 decide. lie was no
then denied the place he sought" II
order TO satisfy tremendous popuia
clanior. as taciily admitted by Mr.. ray
Ter, the investigation aa to Mr.. Rob
erts right TO retain his seat was no
fcrrcd 20 n committee. before insteai
OF after his taking the scat. II may b
argued that. considering the force q
public sentiment and the vote OF tn
House. the case ia practically decide
against MIR. Roberts. but that at pres
ent IL a mere matter OF opinion, II ma
be, and probably Is a correct forecast
but 4 IN not yet u fact accomplished.
That denial OF his scat win be IN
result Of tho lahors of the commltto,
may DO Inferred from the evidence thu
the whole matter was prcarranged. tina
the committee Is wholly composed &
persons who voted against his boln
sworn In. ana that II ~ not unllkcl
that more pains viii be taken to cole,
evidence prcjudlcIal than TO prcser
facts and proofs Tor the defence. II,
all that goes TO show, beyond succcssfi
contradiction, that the case In stl
pending that the membcr-elect has n,
been denied "the place he sought m
that he has not yet been placed In a %
slllon "to set himself right" We ha,
no doubt that he will ondoayor TO 4
that IN good time and IN good style, III
the situation ls exactly the reverse
that set forth by our contemporary
the paragraph at the head OF this art
Gle and It is clear that It Is not Il
"Ncws" but that paper which 40