Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-01-05
RIGHTS OF MORMONS
Effect of PoIygamous Relations
en- Their Ambitions as
Politicians.
ON TEST BY The HOUSE COMMITTEE


| eussion Before the Taylor Inquisition-
| AIdrich Begins the Financial Debate
Beveridge to Speak the Philippine
Question Resolution That Expresses
| the Republican Senatorial Iden.
Washington, Jan. .5.-The senate
| committee on privileges and elections
today began the investigation of the
charges of bribery in connection with
the election of Senator Clark En-
Senator Edmunds appeared as leading
counsel for the complainants, making
the first statement in support of the
memorial presented against Clark.
Ex-senator Faulkner made the formal
statement in behalf of Clark.
Washington Jan. 5.-The senate
committee on privileges and elections
decided to 3 TO make an adverse re-
port OH the resolution ofthe seat Quay
Is holding by appointment from the
governor of Pennsylvania.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The senate
com mittee resumed the investigation
of the Roberts case. \ letter from
eN Secretary Carlisle was read. indi-
eating belief on his part that Roberts
was not l'ga'ly citizen, and that. as
an acknowledged polygamist. he was
not eligible to his seat. Roterts then
reviewed the proceedings in his case
to the present time.
Washington. Jan. 5.-There was Il
diversion at the hearing in the case of
Roberts of Utah yesterday afternoon.
when Senator Rawlins. of Utah. was
drawn into Il discussion OF polygamy.
Schroeder. the Utah man who iS prose
cutting the case had continued his
argument when Rawlins interrupted III
correct Il congressional committee rel;I-
tive TO poIygany. Chairman Tayler
thereupon asked RawlinS. who was
once II delegate from Utah, if ii was
not understood at the time the stale
was admitted that polygamy was at
an end. 1t was my understanding"
said RawliRS. that the SOleminZation
OF polygamous marriages was inter
dicted by the Mormon church, and
that this would have Il salutary effect
in terminating the practice. But l did
not hold out to congress that family
relations already established would be
brok1u up"
Puts a Hypothetical Question.
Tayler asked if il was expected that
the law against polygamy would be
violated. EawliuS answered that II
was thought there might be sporadic
cases. but as general system polyga-
nous relations would gradually termin-
ate.
do you think continued Tayler.
'.that Utah would have been admitted
If il had understood that in few
years Utah would send 10 congress a
man maintaining pOlygamons rela-
tions?" RawlinS said he did not think
congress believed the practice of poly
gamy would be continued. The course
of events i'll recent years had clearly
shown that the practice would end in
time.
Statement Rawlins Does Not Recall.
Did you not believe and state at the
time" asked Tayler. that the polyga-
nous system was dead and burieG?"
RawlinS did not recall such state
ments Tayler read from the speeches
of Rawlfns of those days to the effect
that while polyGamy had once existed
the world was progressing. and that
the discussion WAS becoming ancient
history
Roberts here asked to put question
to Senator RawlinS. and asked: Il
will ask thc senator if hc thinks con
CreSs understood ut the time Utah was
admitted that the president of the
United States would appoint to federal
offices in the state of Utah men prac-
ticing polygamy?"
Reply That Doe, Not Answer.
There was some question as To
whether RawlinS should answer the
question. He finally proceeded. saying
that for years polygamy had prevailed
in Utah Under il many people had
established strong coniugal relations
and ties. But the proclamation of the
NIorn,on church fOrliddiup furf her
polyaEmOus marriages had given gen
cral satisfaction. and il was common
ly accepted that the practice would
come to an end.
Schroeder then concluded his argu-
mcnt. which related mainly to the his
tOrical aspect of pOlygamy and the
law in the ease. and Mrs. !. Ellen FOS-
ter addressed the committee in behalf
of the great number of women inter
ested in the case. and who We're not
represented before the committee. She
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