The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-06

py the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES act. under-
stand gentlemen who are lawyers
admit this fact, and they will certainly
appreciate the cost OF II.
The gentleman from Ohio has no court
record to show that was ever arraigned
or condemned OF crtme whatsoever snce
the PRONUNCIATION OF the amnesty procla-
nation OF the president OF the United
States. The gentleman seems also to for
get the fnct that since the confession OF
red. there was passed by congress an en-
abling act authorship the people OF the
state of Utah to form a state government.
That enabling act also had a provision en-
bodied In 1t that qualified all citizens with
In the limits Of the territory to become cit
liens Of the United States and was partic-
uinry framed to remove the disqualified
ton and disabilities which had been cree
ated by the Edmunds- Tucker law. The
gentleman seems to forget also that the
state constitution OF Utah was satisfac-
tory to the president and his advisers. and
Utah has been admitted as q state into
the Union and has taken upon itself the
responsibilities Of q sovereign state. de-
claring under Its constitution who of the
people residing In its borders shah exercise
the elective franchise and be qualified for
ONCE as citizens Of the great common
wealth.
The second charge, which Is supposed
to 80 to the question OF eligibility OF the
member from Utah, Is made upon afiida-
Wit and other papers in his possession.
The gentleman from Ohio says that ever
since 1SsS I have been a persistent law
breaker in the state OF Utah. If that be
true. let me ASK why II Is that / was not
punished for lawbreaking? Certainly there
was no disposition not to execute the law
on the part Of the peopls OF Utah. It's ad-
ministration was in the hands OF non-
Mormons, of those who had no sympathy
with men of my religious faith. All the
machinery of the law was in the hands of
Federal appointees. How Is It, then, that
could be an open and defiant. iawbreaker
and yet escape the penalty of the law?
"The gentleman's objection, then, is
based. not upon court record, but upon af-
fldavits and papers that have been sup-
piled him by the peope
And now as TO the manner in which
these charges are made. 1t has been about
fifteen months since they began since the
representative frona Utah was heralded
throughout this land as defiant law
breaker. And yet walked the streets Of
Salt Lake City In open day. within easy
reach Of the law. and my faults lay open
to the law II were guilty of transgress-
ing. Other men were arrested
brought before the courts of Utah
and were aned for the very
ofrense alleged against me, and yet no
complaint was made against me. No; It
did not suit the purpose OF those VINO had
this present agitation in hand to vindicate
the law quietly and by the usual methods
They desired particularly to have this
case upon which apparently to arouse the
sentiment OF the country. Not until my
business called me East did they under
take to make any charges against me. But
that moment, or shortly after my departs
ktxav- h<et
the present sentiment OF the country now
aroused against me- I call your attention
next to the fact that the only charge
against me. even by the present opponents
of the resolution Is that of a misdemean-
or. They do not charge felony.
IT understand that the members of
congress are granted certain privileges
while in attendance upon this house. 1t
would be impossible to arrest any one Of
the members upon the charge of mis-
demeanor. And yet you would deny me
the privilege Of being sworn as a member
Of this house upon the allegation Of the
existence of some charge or other that
was guilty of a misdemeanor. For the
thing for which the law itself could not
lay a hand on ME while in attendance
upon this house. you propose--I speak of
the little coterie of men who have entered
into this conspiracy to crowd this ques-
ton to the front at this particular time,
and for the reason that they are fearful
that If the matter should go to consid-
Grafton under a resolution to expel the
member from Utah they could not mar
shall the necessary two-thirds vote to ac-
complish their purpose--to pass the pres
ent resolutions.
''I understand. sir, that these immuni-
ties are not given for the benefit OF the in
dividuaI members They are given rather
as a protection to his constituency, who
are entitled to his services as their repre-
sentative. And therefore invoke the pro-
lection that is given to tho constituency
Of a sovereign state against the proceed
ings they are instituting here to deprive
me of the privilege of being sworn in as a
member of this house. Privilege did
say, sir? I am not asking any privilege
in this house. I am not asking any favors
of the members of this house. Under the
shadow of the constitution Of the United
States I merely demand, both for myself
and for the people of my state, the pro-
lection that is due us-and 1t Is a demand
and II is asking no favors.' Great ap-
plause on the Democratic side and in the
galleries.)
cedent In the Forty third congress In the
case Of Cannon, adding:
81 can add nothing to the force of that
the case Of Cannon the house was dealing
with a delegate from a territory, not the
representative OF the people of a sovereign
state. They were dealing with delegate
who was created by a statute passed by
the congress of the United States. And
throughout the discussion 1t was alleged
as reason for taking exceptions to him
that they could do so because he was I'M
protected by the provisions of the consti-
tuition. And yet, sir, Notwithstanding he
was but creation Of law. still they admit
ted him as a member upon the floor of this
house. It is to be remarked in this con-
nection that, strange to say, the course
of nature was not disturbed. Notw.th-
standing an alleged polygamist was per-
mitted by the vote Of Republican con-
gress to remain upon the floor of this
house, 1t did not transpire. as 1t is said
did transpire in ancient Rome
The little ere the mighty Julius fell.
The grave stood tenantless,
The sheeted dead did stand and gibber
In the streets OF Rome