The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-12-07

III IL were possible to emphasize
the gravity Of these charges and the
responsibilities that are this moment
imposed up,n this House. We Will fluid
that emphasis in the memorials, n
small part Of which could be physically
cared for in this hall. but for all OF
which l now present To- the House from
over 7,OOO.O 600 American men and
women, protesting against the entrance
of this Representative elect from L tab -
ASSAULT ON AMERICAN HOMES
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Tayler ) re-
marks Mr.. MoRae democrat Of Arkan-
sas) briefly expressed his concurrence
in the Iprotest Of Mr.. .Tayler II the
charges hanging over the head OF the
representatives. from | tab are true.
he said, his being sworn in would be
an assault upon every American home.
II true, Mr. Roberts was gully OF a viola
tion Of the laws Of the United States and
Of Utah, and the charges should be in
vestigated If they were proven true. no
said emphatioally, there should not be
vote in the House in favor OF sllow-
ing him a seat in this body.
Mr. Roberts, when requested by the
Speaker to step aside. pAled little,
but with a quiet dignity, which could
not be denied, stated that he wished It
to besunderstood that he waived none
Of his rights. The Speaker assured him
his rights would all be preserved. Then
he went back to his seat as slowly as
he had left it. and remained there un-
until the end Of the proceedings. 1t
all must have been very trying ordeil
for him, for not the slightest token Of
sympathy was extended from any quar-
ter, and he must have felt, as every
one else did, that the only woman in
that whole vast assembly whose heart
went out TO him was his daughter,
sitting overhead.
The other members who had not been
reached were then sworn in, and MIR.
Tayler offered a resolution, submitting
the case TO a special committee Of nine
By unanimous consent discussion on II
was postponed until after the reading
OF the PRESIDENTS message.
Mr.. Brooks said he had come especi'
ally to Washington to witness it, as he
fully expected. as he expressed It, a
Jolly, lively time. lie said he had
witnessed the scene in the House OF
Commons when Charles Bradlaugh pre-
sented himself as member Bradlaugh
was an absolute unbeliever, aud II was
contended that he could not or would
not take the oath, which included in
its terms the words $50 help me God ~
Bradlaugh, towering six feet six
inches, Of herculean strength, demand
ed his rights, denied the power Of the
Speaker or OF the House TO exclude him,
aud resisting the Speaker authority
had a terrific struggle with the ser
geant-at.arms and half dozan OF his
assistants. In the melee the railing IN
front Of the Speaker was torn down
Brsdlaugh was sent to the Tower for "a
hours. He was refused admittance, and
time after time he was sent back His
constituents persisted in re-eleoting him
and finally modified oath was pre-.
scribed. under which he come in. Mr..
Roberts looked strong enough and
courageous enough to follow the ex-
ample Of Bradlaugh. OF course. how
ever. no such ideG could have entered
his mind
ADOPTION OF THE REED RULES.
AS some compensation for the mid
passing Of the Roberts matter there was
discussion on the adoption Of the
Reed rules, which were finally adopted
by vote Of III to 1873 II was brief
but spicy and entertaining partici
pated in on the Democatic side by
Richardson, the new leader, and Bailey,
the old leader. They pointed out the
euormities and the injustices of the
Reed rules, while at the same time sd-
hitting their inability to prevent their
adoption. Mr. Hepburn, Of Iowa, who
has periodically for years, in and ont
Of the House, avowed his opposition to
the Reed rules and his intention to op-
pose them, said not a word. For this
he was twitted in good natured way
by Mr. Richardson, and the only ex-
nuse he could make was that he was the
slave of the Republican caucus. On
the division on the adoption Of the
rules, Mr.. Roberts stood mp msrfully, as
il he expected to be counted, but the
clerk did not include him.
THE ROBERTS CASE.
Washington, Dec 5.-The House Of
Representatives, by a vote Of 302 to
30. adopted the resolution introduced
by Tayler, of Ohio. in regard to the
Roberts case. 1t is as follows
Whereas it is charged that Brigham
II. Roberts. a Represenative.elect to
the Ffty.sixth Congress from the State
of Utah, is ineligible TO seat in the
House Of Representatives, and
Whereas such charge is made
through a member Of the House on his
responsibility as such member. and
| on the basis, as he asserts. Of pablo
records, affidavits and papers evideno.
ing ineligibility.
Resolved, That the question OF the
prima facie right Of Brigham II. Rob-
erts to be sworn in as Representative
from the State Of Utah in the Fifty.
sixth Congress, as we'll as his final right
| 60 a seat therein as such Representa-
tive, be referred to q special committee
of nine members Of the House, to be
appointed by the Speaker and until
such committee shall report upon and
the House decide such question and
right, the said Brigham H. Roberts
shall not be sworn in or be permitted
TO occupy seat in this House and
| aaid committae shall have power TO send