The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-05
WOULD CONGRESS SEAT THEM?
Roberts COMPARED TO THE MA
MAC AND THE LEPER.

MAJ AND THE LEPEsR.
Leader of the Gentle Delegation
From Utah Presents His Case
Against the POIygamOus Congress-
man-Mr. Rawlins of Utah said Po-
IyGamy Was Expected to Cease
When Utah Became n State, But
Sporadic Cases Were Not Unlocked
for.
Washington, Jan. 4.-The Roberts inves-
tigating committee resumed It's session TO-
day for the purpose of hearing arguments
and bringing the inquiry TO an early con-
clusion.
Chairman Tayler, of Ohio, stated that
the statement of witness absent in Utah
had been received, but as Mr., Roberts de-
clined TO admit it in an informal manner
the matter would have 10 be taken up lat
Mr.. Schroeder head of the Gentle dele
cation here to oppose Roberts, then open
ed the argument against Roberts
1.-The evidence clearly shows" proceed
ed Mr.. Schroeder, that since 1880 Mr.
Roberts has been in the status of a poly
eamist and the question is as to the effect
of his status"
He said that while Utah was terri
tory there was no doubt as 10 Roberts
Acknowledgement under the Fdmunds and
Tucker act And when Utah was admit
ted to statehood Mr.. Schroeder contended
that Mr. Roberts citizenship was still inn
paired. The status of polygamy was such
that Roberts could not relieve himself
from it without some affirmative act. AS
to the right of the House to exclude, Mr..
Schroeder said:
How About a Maniac:
Suppose a raving maniac should pre-
sent himself at the bar of the House and
ask admission OH proper credentials, could
not the House in self-protecton deny him
admission? Suppose a man afflicted with
leprosy presented himself, would not the
House have power to keep him out?"
MIR. Schroeder said that Roberts had ad-
mitted his relationship with his plural
wives He had publicly said that he would
"be id" if he would give up his wives.
This was an offense against the public
morals.
The afternoon hearing was enlivened
NtleD senator INdNUtS u L tan W dS III avn
into a discussion of polygamy.
Chairman TayIer asked Mr.. Rawlins.
who was once a delegate from Utah. il
ct was not understood at the time the
state was admitted that polygamy was at
an end.
1T was my understanding" said Mr..
Rawlins, chat the solemnizaticn of po-
lygamous marriages was interGicted by
the Mormon Church, and that this would
have a salutary effect in terminating the
practice. But I did not hold out TO Con,
gress that family relations already estab-
hshed would be broken up"
Sporadic Cases StilI.
Mr. Tayler asked if it was expected that
the law against polygamy would be VIC
lated.
Mr.. Rawlins answered that 1t was
thought there might be sporadic cases,
but as a general system, polygamous rela-
tons would gradually terminate.
do you think" continued MIR. Tayler,
''that Utah would have been admitted if
lit had been understood that in a few
years Utah would send to Congress a
man maintaining polygamous relations?"
Mr. Rawlins said he did not think Con-
gress believed the practice of poygamy
would be continued. The course of events
in recent years had clearly shown that the
practice would end in time.
Mr.. Schroeder concluded his argument,
which related mainly to the historical
aspect of polygamy and the law in the
case.
Mrs J. Allen Foster addressed the COM
mittee in behalf of the great number of
women interested in the case, and who
were not represented before the commit
zee.