Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-12
ROBERTS, SIDE
The Mormon Representative
elect Issues an Address.
HE ATTACKS THE HOUSE.
Warns People That Pursuance Of sucI,
Methods May Lead to Disaster In
Times of areat Political
Excitement.

Washington, Dec. s.-Brigham H.
Roberts of Utah who was not allowed
TO be sworn in as representative in con-
gress Of that state, has issued an adj
dress to the American people. 1t con-
tains much that was said by Roberts
on the floor of the house aud by Rich
ardson, who opposed the resolution of
Taylor Of Ohio. After reviewing the
facts and proceedings resulting in the
appointment of the committee, he says
in part:
"The member from Utah is not al
lowed to take the oath of Office, and Il
committee is appointed to try him as to
charged. a hostile committee has been
appointed to inquire into the case. Its
membership is made up entirely OF
those who voted 10 adopt the mothod
of procedure. If the creation of such a
tribunal for such a purpose be allowed,
there is no reason why the committee
should not be made up OF members of
one political faith--for a majority may
do as it pleases about that.
II ask the American people to stop
and think what that may mean to this
country in times of high politi-
cal excitement, party strife and pas
sion.
81. A formidable minority in the
house may be reduced either to very
insignificant minority, or even blotted
out of existence.
''2. me representation to which a
state is entitled on the floor of the
t~oI sol %< L. Il
Utah case-for any length of time this
representation. 1t can prolong it's in
vestigation for two wears as well as u
month or year, if it SO elects, and in
the mean time deny to the state repre-
sentation, and may defeat altogether
the expressed will of the people of
the state to their choice of represent
alive.
If the present republican house can
thus deprive Utah of her representa-
ton, there is no reason why it could
not deny Virginia hers, even though
she has ten representatives-and if the
present republican house can do this
in the case of Utah or Virginia, there
is no reason why the next democratic
house could not proceed in. like manner
with the representatives from republic
can states, under this new and unprece-
denied rule of procedure.
%. This new precedent also strikes
down the constitutional guarantee of
the right to one accused of n crime to
a speedy public trial by an impartial
jury of the state wherein the crime
shall have been committed. The pro-
position is not to deprive me OF my seat
in congress by the presentation of the
records of the conviction for a crime
before the courts before which I have
been found guilty, under the due forms
of law. The proposition is to try me
before a committee of the house, to
send for persons, papers and witnesses
to ascertain my guilt or innocence of
alleged misdemeanor, reported to have
been committed in Utah."
Roberts refers to the charge that he
pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor
twelve years ago, and claims amnesty
under the presidential proclamation,
and continues:
81 deny the existence of a lawful
power of the house to prevent me be-
ing sworn in on the presentation of the
same evidence of prima facie right up
on which the others are admitted to
membership,
II deny the right of the house Of rep
resentatives to resolve itself into jus
tice OF the peace court to try me for n
misdemeanor alleged to have been COM
mitted in order to find grounds OF ex-
pulsion or exclusion from the high Of
flee to which | was elected.