The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-26

Mr.. Ltotlefield. OF Maine for the mi
noTIty OF the committee. WIS he mi
norfty spokesman. The only issue be-
tween the majority and minority was
as 20 whether he should be expelled or
excluded.
The constitutional auaiihcaxions-aSe
and inhabitancy. Mr.. Littiefield argued.
could nos be added to. II they could
and the house now excluded a member
because he was guilty OF polygamous
practices next year Il might exclude.
Tor adultery or because a member was
an attorney for a trust o. an octopus
or for any other reason. The right OF
a member to his seat was a conStitu-
fiona right. He went back To The on
stftutional debates and other early his
tory 10 prove that congress could not
add to the qualifications of
negatively stated in the constitution.
After depicting Rhe conditions that
the framing OF ehis pro-
vision OF the constitution and quoting
Madison. Hamilton and jefferson. he
asked triumphantly who there was who
could shatter <he crucible OF history
which surrounded IL or the declaration
OF the men who framed Il. He chal-
lenged and riddled many OF the ma
JorHty's authorities and presidents. He
said the minority stood with Burke,
Jefferson. Madison. Hamilton. Morris.
Webster. Storey. Cooley. John Ran
dolph Tucker. II believe" said Mr..
Littlefield, 'khat Mr.. Roberts has n
full constitutional right to a seat in
this house"
The applause which followed swept
over the fioor and to The galleries.
Mr.. Littlefield urged there was no
reason why precedents should be
slavishly followed. referring 20 the
manner in which ex-Speaker Reed had
overturned the precedents OF a centu-
~ nn1 IT,
unorganized mob into an instrument
which registered the will OF the peo-
pie.
Mr.. LittlefieId then turned 10 the CON
sideration Of the proposition that IL
the house had a right to add to the
qualifications OF a member. the dis
qualification imposed by the Edmunds
act did not apply to Mr.. Roberts BE-
cause a member OF congress was not
an officer under the United States"
within the meaning of the statute. He
then attacked the proposition OF the
majority that Mr.. Roberts had violated
the comDact between Utah n the
United States. He asked for the au-
thorlty for the statement OF an under
and eloquently declared that
the idea Of a compact between the
states had been the father OF secession
blotted out by the lives of half a mil
men. He pointed to General
Wheeler's return from the Spanish war
covered with laurels. when no mere
sentiment let the speaker and the judi
committee override their duty Of
adverse action. He pointed out the un-
questioned right Of either house to ex-
pei a member for sufficient cause.
MIR. ROBERTS SPEAKS.
Mr.. Roberts then spoke for one and
a half hours, at ease, and without tenn
per. He said he might say with pro-
priety: "A plague on both your houses
since both propose his undoing. but the
situation was not altogether without its
advantages. He was convinced with
the minority that the house had no
to exclude him and with the ma
jority that, once admitted he cOuld not
be expelled. Between the two" aid
he, matters fall out about as | would
have them and substantial justice viii
be done (Renewed laughter.)
Mr.. Roberts gave notice hat he APP
the arguments of the major
ity against expulsion and those of the
minority against exclusion. His con-
stitutional qualifications were admit
ed by both the majority and the minor
ity Of the committee and he declared
that the members Of the house, IL they
had regard to the constitution of their
country would call him back to the
bar from which he had been improp-
erly turned away. He warned the
house hat nations fell because they
departed from their traditions. II a
nation INDUCED in constitutional inn
morality it died as did the individual
who was guilty Of physical immortality.
He besought the house not to yield To
the clamor Of u~nthinking people. Was
this an emergency? A man was elect
ed to congress who, in the sanctity OF
the church, had married a plurality
Of wives. He said We have passed the
stage Of representing or defending
polygamy, and he did not wan his
remarks so construed. He said the
crime of polygamy is nahum prohibit
UNI, not mala in Sc; that in the teach
ings of the Great Master. although
He denounced every crime, every sin
that man can commit, there is no wore
Of His condemning. the conduct Of the
patriarchs or Of h law as 1t was CIV
en- to Moses and ancient Israel. He
quoted Martin Luther as saying: Il
cannot protest when n takes many
wives, for IL does not contradict the
scriptures" and again hat the Gospels
do not revoke or contradict the laws
of Moses in matrimonial matters
1 had rather had by flesh hewn from
my limbs than to nav been untrue to
my people. 1t was this feeling that
was the incentive TO the lawlessness
sue as IL was"
He insisted that the compact with
the United States had been observed.
that polygamy had practically ceased.
that the Mormon church had given up
polygamy in good faith. Mr.. Roberts
said he had been In public life for
twenty years and was not driven TO
the defense OF his moral character. He
was not here representing the Mo-mon
church. He had received a greater
number Of votes from Gentiles h
Mormons
You can neither exclude nor expeif
me-" said Mr.. Roberts in conclusion
Il will cling SO hard to the piIiars@of
liberty nat you hall not drag ms from
them without bringing down the whole
temple applause and hisses-) | have
live with a good conscience until this
day and am sensible Of no act Of shame
upon my part. You can brand me with
shame and send me forth. but / shall
leave with head erect and bow un-
daunted and walk the earth as angels
walk the clouds. IL you violate the
constitution all the shame will be with
you"