The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

NM hours the House to-day. by a
" vote OF SO2 10 30, adopted the
resolution offered by Taylor Of
Ohio yesterday for the appointment OF a
special committee 10 investigate the
charges against Brigham II Roberts. the
Mormon Representative-elect from U.ah.
Previously the House had rejected a
substitute resolution offered by Richard
son, the leader OF the minority, 20 allow
Roberts 10 be swon In and 10 send the
whole case 20 the judiciary Committee.
This substitute resolution. however. by
no means commanded the full, Demo-
cratic strength. Only ffty-seven mem-
bers voted for Il. OF the thirty who then
voted against the Taylor resolution. all
were Democrats except two. Loud. a
california Republican, and Newlands, a
Silverite from Nevada
BY the terms OF the resolution Roberts
IS not only excluded from all participa-
tion in the proceedings OF the House until
the committee reports and the House
passes upon his case. but he Is denied a
seat In the hall Whether this will be in
terpreted 10 deny him admission within
The chamber pending the disposition OF
his case is yet 10 be decided
The reading Of the Presidents message
was completely overshadowed by the
dramatic proceedings which resulted in
the action OF the House to-day. The gal
leries were thronged with spectators,
mostly women. who sat patiently through
the three weary hours that preceded The
debate and then waited on three hours
more until 81 was concluded. The most
remarkable feat of the debate was the
fact that Roberts presentation OF his own
side of the case. which lasted almost an
hour. became so absorbing that he Won
the sympathy OF many OF those IN the
galleries and was several times showered
with applause. Il was evident that ne
realized that the House was overwhelm-
lngly against him. and al times he spoke
Taylor conducted the case upon his
side. Richardson championed his resolu-
ton.
During the debate Grosvenor CR.) OF
Ohio arose 20 Indignantly repel an IN
finuation ~ Roberts that the President
had knowingly appointed men guilty OF
pOlygamy 10 Federal offices in Ltan.
At u o'clock Speaker Henderson called
the members TO order. Ilait oi Oonnecu-
cut and Jones of Arkansas. the commit
toe appointed 20 wait upon the PRESIDENT
reported that that duty had been per
..The President" said Platt. expressed
bis satisfaction AT the assembling OF Con-
gress and hoped that great good 20 the
country might result from It's delibera-
lions"
Turley Of Tennessee presented his coll
league. Bate. al the desk OF the President
and President Frye administered 10 Bate
the oath OF Office.
O. The President. was then recognized by
the chair and presented 10 the Senate the
message of the President At l2.e6 the
reading ~ the message was begun 10y the
clerks The reading ~ the message con-
sumed two and a half hours, and az the
conclusion the Republicans gave IL
reartv round Of applause Payne (R.) of
NcW York. the hOor leader of the major
.fy. Immediately moved that the message
10 referred 20 the committee OF the whole
ou the State and Union and ordered print
"a Grow (R) Of Pennsylvania expressed
a desire 20 debate the message, but this
vas declared out of order.
The Speaker then laid before the House
TaVl0rs resolution 20 refer the Roberts
ease IN accordance with the agreement
- yesterday. Taylor Immediately took
The floor II was arranged that there
should be three hours debate. one hour on
each side. one-half 10 be allowed 70 Rob
erts and 10 come out OF the time OF the
majority. This arrangement having been
made. Richardson. the Democratic leader.
gave notice q a substitute he would Of
Per as follows:
Whereas. Brigham n. Roberts. from The
state ~ Utah. has presented a certificate %
election in due and proper form as Repre-
Resolved. That without expressing any opin-
.ar ne 20 the right ~ uropriety Of his re-
.n'n.ag his seat IN advance q any proper IN
rrsfirafiCn thereof the said Brigham II Rob
trfe is entitled 20 be sworn IN a. member q
fs House upon his grims taoie case
Resolved further, That when sworn IN his
credentials and all the papers IN relation 20
,s right 20 retain his seat be referred 20 the
81. report thereon. al the earliest practicable
r. nent.
TAYLOR then opened his speech in favor
~ the adoption 0f his resolution. He
would NOT urge its adoption. he said were
~ not prompted by high sense OF duty.
The constitution was consistent. he con-
irued. u u were contended that the
limitations IL imposed were not to be
added 20. The power of Congress 10 halt
Doe claimant al the door. he Insisted. was
clear. The inelgibility created by con-
fiction for crime was a power inherent In
government. irrespective 81 the constitu-
Son. He cited several cases 10 show that
e. "a punishment for crime the Legiala-
ure had ample authority TO disqualify a
nan from holding Office.
when Taylor began TO speak Roberts
eft the scat he had been occupying and
0ok seat near the main aisle. where he
could hear with greater case. Through
buf Tavlor's remarks be sat facing HIS
lccuser. except when he turned 10 his
lesk 20 take notes Of the points 10 which
% desired 20 reply.
Continuing Taylor read a decision Of
hc Supreme Court defining polygarny
Vhich stated that irrespective OF whether
man had contracted a plural marriage