The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-08

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WASHINGTON. Dec. 7.--Brisham H.
Roberts. Of Utah, who was not allowed to
be sworn in as representative in con-
gress of that state, has issued an address
to the American people 1t contains much
that was said by Mr.. Roberts on the floor
of the house and by Mr.. Richardson. who
opposed the resolution OF Mr.. Taylor. OF
Ohio. After reviewing the facts and pro-
ceedings resulting In the appointment OF
the committee. he says:
Hostile Committee Appointed.
''The member from Utah is not allowed
to take the oath OF his Office and a commit
tee is appointed to try him as to his alleg-
ed guilt OF the offenses charged. Nay.
even more is granted than was asked at
least more than was asked upon the fioor
OF this house, for a hostile committee has
been appointed to inquire into the case.
its membership is made up entirely OF those
who voted to adopt the method Of proceed
ure Not one who voted against It was
allowed to find q place upon that commit
tee. and II 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 the majority may do as It pleaaes
about that.
why the Precedent IL RAa.
II ask the American people to stop ana
think what that may mean to this cosin-
try in times OF high political excitement
and party strife and passion.
"F1rst--A formidable minority IN the
house may be reduced either to very sn-
significant minority or even bIotted out OF
existence.
..second--The representation to which I
state is entitled on the floor Of the house
may be denied It, as in this Utah case, for
any length Of time this committee may
elect to deny 1t such representation. Sup
pose that in this case the committee shall
see proper to proceed with reasonable ex-
pedition to consider the question involved.
what Is there to hinder 1t delaying its
action under one pretext or another as long
as 1t pleases? 1t may take a week,
month or q year to make its investigations.
for 1t Is authorized to send for papers and
persons. to examine witnesses and not
even instructed to report at as early date
as possible 1t can prolong It's investiga-
ton for two years as we'll as q month, or
a year IL 1t SO elects, and meantime deny
to state representation. and may defeat
altogether the expressed will OF people
of state as to their choice Of represen-
tative.
Other states May Be Affected.
If the present Republican house can
thus deprive Utah of her representation.
there is no reason why 1t could not deny
Virginia hers, even though she has ten
representatives, for ten representatives as
easily as one can be turned away from the
bar of the house, and one state as well as
another, If bare majority OF the house
chooses to have 1t SO. And IL 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 representa-
tives from Republican states under this
new and unprecedented rule Of procedure.
His Onense . Minor One.
.sTh.rd-This new precedent also strikes
down the constitutional guarantee OF
right to one accused of crime to a speedy
and public trial by an impartial jury Of
the state wherein the crime shall have
been committed. The proposition Is not
to deprive me of my seat in congress, by
the presentation of records of conviction
for crime before courts, before which
have been found guilty under the due
forms Of law The proposition Is to try me
before the committee Of the house, to send
for persons and papers and witnesses to
ascertain my guilt or innocense OF an all
legged misdemeanor. reported to have been
cOmmItteu III OIau. IL Will De useless 10
deny this statement by saying that In the
charge against me which resulted in the
appointment Of this extraordinary COM
mittee of investigation 1t is said that
transcript of the proceedings of a court in
Utah evidences the fact that the member
from Utah pleaded guilty to nisdemeanor
In the year 1s8S-twelve years ago and
when Utah was territory Whatever po-
Etical disabilities we're created by that
event were removed by the sovereign state
constitution in 1885, she by her sovereign
power declared what should be the quail
fications of her electorate. and possess
them all. And this side Of the enabling
act and the admission of Utah. am at the
defiance Of my enemies to produce any
court record OF conviction OF crime. or at
any time since the misdemeanor OF 1889,
and the house has no right to proceed on
any other evidence than such court rec
ords.
Dcnies the Power OF the House.
II deny the existence or tine lawful
power Of the house to prevent me from
being sworn In on the presentation Of the
same evidence OF pr.na facie right upon
which others are admitted to membership
II deny the right Of the house OF repre-
sentatives to resolve itself into the justice
OF the peace court. to try me for q mig
demeanor alleged TO have been committed.
in order to find grounds Of expulsion or ex-
clusfon from the high office TO which I
was elected.
II deny its right to confer any such
power upon It's committee
III wsrs guilty Of the uisdsms&noa