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Show !AN INDIVIDUAL OPINION ON THE LEGAL STATUS OF . THE ROBERTS CASE.; (By Rev. Thomas II. Malone.) Boston, Mass., Nov. 23, 1899. Editor Intermountain Catholic: Allow me to suggest that in view of the fact that the so-called Roberts case is filling all our eastern journals, an expression of opinion from the Intermountain Inter-mountain Catholic on this now famous case would be of interest to the readers of your paper. I have always considered con-sidered that you speak fearlessly on all matters, and I respectfully ask you for your opinion on this subject. Yours truly, J. W. M'DONALD. The opposition to Congressman Roberts, Rob-erts, so far as we have been able to observe, is not based on legal grounds, but had its' inception and is finding its; fruition in antipathy to his alleged religious re-ligious practices.' Such opposition, as .our coresrporicrent must know, can find no legal justification and must therefore there-fore be entitled only to the consideration considera-tion which should attach to sentiment. With Mr. Roberts' religious practices the Intermountain Catholic has nothing, to do, but his legal right to a seat in congress Is one which concerns every l citizen of the republic whose perpetuity, perpetui-ty, if it is to endure at all, must be sought in the constitution of the United States. , j So far as we know, it has not been urged anywhere that Mr. Roberts, and j all the circumstances surrounding his i election, fail to meet the requirements of the constitution. - lie has passed a i ... . .... i constitutional age requisite in a representative rep-resentative of the Unjted States; he has been more than seven years a citi- j zen of the United States; he is an in- j habitant, of the state of Utah, and he was- legally chosen in a legally conducted conduct-ed election to represent the people of Utah in the house of representatives in the United States. Thus every requirement require-ment of the constitution haa been fulfilled ful-filled In his case. It maters not what the teachings and practices of the Mormon, church may be, the constitution of the United States has affirmed that such practices and teachings shall not be made a ter.t of political eligibility . of those who practise and profess ihem. .This is the Roberts case as it stands, stripped of all sentiment, hysteria and gush. If the religious test is to be applied to Roberts, to whom will It be applied next? |
