Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-25

Mr.. Adamson was'speaking ana listener ,ei,,
10 the debate from a lounge IN the loppy
behind the rail.
Mr. RAY o.. - was In favor OF the
exclusion Of Mr., Roberts as a polysa-
mist and an offender against decency'
MIR Freer CW. W also advocated ex-
clusion.
Mr. Brick Qnd.) favored expulsion.
He aid not want TO make a martyr OK
MIR. Roberts. which would win for him
pity or sympathy.
Mr. Moody (Mass.) argued that the
House had right to exclude or expeL
hut that II was expedient that Mr.. Rob-
erts should be excluded.
Mr. Grosyenor (O) supported the
views Of the majority In favor OF ex'
clnslon. He paid high tribute to Mr..
Littlefelds speech lie said he had
never heard an ADLER argument on
false grounds.
Mr. Morris Mimi, member OF the
special committee which investigated
the Roberts case, and who signed the
majority report, advocated us adoption
In an hours speech
Mr. DeArmond, Mo- In supporting the
minority report, said that the argument
of the majority that the method OF
turning Mr.. Roberts out mattered not
was the argument OF Judge Lynch.
The real question was Shall the Con-
stitution be observed?" Roberts was
entitled to be sworn In.
Representative Lanham spoke In sup
port OF the majority resolution. He said
that II there ever had been a necessity
for a rational assertion and vindlcation
Of the supreme prerogative OF the House
this occasion was now upon US. lie
loved the Constitution OF his country,
and the institutions Of his government
bat neither the Constitution requires,
nor do the people expect, the House 10
do anything ridiculous.
I'VE can never convince the American
people" said he that to admit Roberts
ard instantly expel him is logical and
consistent procedure. The motive that
viii prompt the vote either to eypel or
exclude will be precisely the same-and
that is because he is polygamlst. IL
disqualification no. mentioned In the
Constitution Is imposed In the one case
1t win be equally super-added In the
other"
He maintained that the House pos
sessed the inherent power, aside from
its express and implied constitutional
warrant, TO protect and uphold Itself
In It's dignity, integrity and reputation.
He cited instances which would war
rant the House In standing aside a per-
son bearing a certificate OF election.
Suppose he said, there had been
an election for Territorial delegate held
In our alleged antipodal possessions,
the Philippine Islands, and coming with
a certificate OF election Issued by the
president or consul, whoever might be
authorized 10 sign the commission the
sultan OF Sulu fresh from his sesaglio,
should appear and demand to have the
oath administered 10 him as delegate
TO this Congress; II the facts which
have been alleged against him were as
certained to be true, should he not be
excluded? Under the theory OF the NIL
nority Of the committee we might say:
VIII your royal highness be sworn?
and then kick him out instantly. Under
the theory of the majority we would
say TO him al the Threshold: 'Avaunt
and quit our sight
He said there was no danger Of the
Roberts case ever being invoked as a
precedent. that Il was unique and
solitary in its originality. and the case
and the precedent would expire with
each other. He said the citizenship
qualification In the Constitution was TO
prevent the election OF foreigners and
preclude the extraneous influence in the
legislative action Of the new republic.
The disqualification mentioned In the
Constitution were negatively stated,
and hence not exclusive. There was
a reason for each rule OF disqualified
ton and each was constructed and de-
signed for specific purpose, pertinent
TO particular conditions and surround
ings. He urged the claims OF Christian
civilization and quoted from Franklin
and George Washington to show that
the members of the constitutional con-
vention respected morality and religion.
Closing he said
I'VE are not here 10 impose moral or
religious tests. We are here TO accord
10 the people Of Utah all the privileges
and immuntles OF citizens OF sovereign
Stntes. They may elect whomsoeyer
they will, Mormon or Gentle, but we
Will not recognize his credentials nor
welcome the Representatives II he
he polygamist In fact and have more
than one living wife. The people Of
Utah must keep their covenants with
the American people and respect the
laws and civilization OF the age.
I'm behalf Of the affairs and firesides
Of our common land-the roof-trees OF
American homes--the holy estate OF
matrlmony and the sacred and inviola-
bic associations OF the family circle,
with solemn regard for the Constitu-
ton OF my country and the dignity Of
the popular branch OF IT'S legislature
with decent respect 10 the opinions Of
mankind and the fear OF God before my
eyes. ] declare my belief that Brigham
VI. Roberts ought not for one instant OF
time, TO be admitted TO membership In