The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-06
ROBERTS PLEA FINISHED
Utah's Representative-EIect Con
eludeS His Argument.
The House Committee Hears More
Reasons Advanced in support of
His Position on the Question of
51Iygamy-Mr. Schroeder Replies.

His Position on the Question of
5SIygamy-Mr. Schroeder Replies.
1t was 1915 o'clock when Chairman Tay-
Ter called the special House committee to
order this morning and Representative
elect Roberts resumed his argument He
took up the question OF the compact exist
I ing between Utah and the United States
which he was discussing when the com
rittee adjourned yesterday. He read from
the official reports Of the debate In the
constitutional convention Of Utah to snow
that the convention had declared against
polygamous or plural marriages.
Mr. Roberts said II was clearly under
stood by the people OF Utah that while
plural or polygamous marriages were b.,
the constitutional convention forever pro-
| hibited, 10 did not say nor mean that plu-
raj or polygamOus marriages contracted
prior TO that convention should be dis
turbed. The convention, he said, had
complied with all the requirements Of the
enabling act passed by Congress. He quot
ed rum his speech made in the COnstitu-
tiOnal convention 10 show that he favored
the amendment which prohibited plural or
convention he said, was known to all the
people in Utah, and it was true that sew
erai thousand votes were cast against the
adoption OF the constitution
He referred - ne conditions existing in
Utah just after The adoption OF the consti-
tutional convention and the preparation Of
the people for Statehood. He was nOmi
mated for Compress in 1885. he said. ani
there was no protest against him. although
hs
Mr.. Roberts called attention 10 appoint
ments made by President Mckinley OF men
to Office who were charged with poIygamoUs
practices He said the objections 10 these
men were made by obscure and narrow
minded sectaTians The Administration
had brushed aside the charge. When asked
II the appOintees Smith and Ora
ham-were. practicing pOlygamy. Mr. Rob
eTts said he had no personal knowledge re-
garding the matter.
The State Legislature OF Utah ne said.
adopted a code OF laws in 1885 which in
cluded the Edmunds Law. which was in
force in the Territory OF Utah previous TO
its admission TO Statehood The question
Of plural marriages after the adoption OF
the constitution was accepted as a settled
fact Women, he said, who were in the
position q plural wives were well receiv-
ed by thSir Gentle neighbCrs. and were
respected BY the community in which they
lived.
There had been no trouble Of any note
in Utah. he said on the question Of po-
lygamy between the Geutiles and Morm0ns
until a sensational newspaper that wanted
10 run the universe had started the crusade
against him. An agent OF this paper. he
said, had Travelled over Utah IN the capac-
lty Of a common infOrner. and had hailed
men before the court on charges OF unlaw-
ful cohabitation, which charges could rot
be sustained.
Referring 20 the petitions that had been
received by members, he said Congress was
to be Influenced 70 do that which they had
no constitutional power TO do. but the peo-
pie behind the movement wanted Congress
70 r'se 10 the occasion and exclude the
member from Utah.
There was more danger TO the American
home. Mr. Roberts continued. in a dozen
different States than existed in the families
OF pOlygamiSts in the State OF Utah he
called attention 20 Mr.. Carlisle's letter on
the subject Of his citizenship and cited sew
eral authorities 20 show that his certii-
cate of citizenship was not impaired. Mr..
Roberts at this point took up the question
OF his prima facie right 10 his seat in the
House. He maintained the House could
not add TO nor take from the qualifications
for membership in the House as expressed
in the Constitution The committee he
said, had no power 10 take testimony on
the question Of a misdemeanor committed
by the member from Utah He contended
that even II proved guilty Of a misde-
meanor that was no disqual. dcation. The
disabilities that once operated against the
member OF Utah. he said. had been removed
by amnesty and by the admission Of the
State into the Union.
In concluding his argument Mr.. Roberts
paid a glowing tribute 10 the people Of
Utah and their patriotism. He thanked the
committee for the courtesy extended him.
Mr.. Schroeder replying said that Mr..
Roberts citizenship was impaired. He ar
gued that the enabling act did not restore
Mr.. Roberts 10 citizenship for the reason
that the act did not repeal section s Of
the Edmunds act Mr.. Schroeder Gained
that Congress understood that the people
OF Utah we're not only 10 give up po,ygamy
and the practice cf polygamy, but also un-
lawful cohabitatiou.
Mr.. Littlefeld wanted TO know how far
the compact with Utah and the United
States went. and what would be the rene
dy if the State violated the compact Mr.
Schroeder suggested that the question led
up 10 the subject Of State rights. He
thought Congress had the right 10 enquire
into the question Of a violation Of the com
pact.
At an executive session which followed
IL was determined by the committe 10
give former Secretary Carlisle until We'd
nesday morning 10 present any further
written argument he may desire. and Mr
Roberts will then be given an opportunity
to reply. The committee will meet again
Wednesday