The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-12-06

AdpPy PlSCCbCHl- w ny, MI. ppcdhtl,
 we are doing this in the open gaze of the whole world, not in a cloistered
 court. We are the servants of the peo- pie, empowered to do the right as we
 see it. The public eye is upon US, the public conscience quickens us. In that
 presence we can do no wrong if we do but obey it." MT. Taylor's concluding words were greeted with a storm of ap-
 plause both from the floor and the gal leries Few democrats, however, joined
 in the applause.
 1 MT. Richardson, the minority leader, | followed MT. Taylor. He did not intend, l he said, to discuss the merits of the l case. The question in issue was as to 1 whether the epresentative-elect, Rob- 1 erts, had a prima facie right to his seat. He was not willing to reject a epresentative-elect who appeared at | the bar of the house with his creden- | tals in due form. If he was denied ad- l mission a precedent would be created which would rise to plague the house in years to come. The only constitu- tional objection against the member
 elect related to his naturalization and
 that MT. Richardson asserted would not hold. He defied the other side to pro- duce a single objection. The precedents cited were made during the war and
 were not to be relied upon. In those days the constitution was written with the sword. The precedents had all since been overruled. MT. Richardson de-
 clared that the minority was in no wise
 bound by his position. He spoke for
 himself alone. He was willing to say
 that if the charges against the mem
 ber-elect were proven he should favor
 his expulsion. If there is one thing
 the American people are a unit on,
 said he. "it is that the American home
 shall be preserved in its loveliness,
 sweetness and purity"
 MT. Richardson then brought forward
 several precedents in support of his po-
 sion. The first was the case of George
 Q. Cannon, who appeared in the house
 as delegate-elect from Utah in 1873.
 MT Cannon was a republican. Almost
 identically the same charges made
 against MT. Roberts were made against
 MT. Cannon. Those democrats" said
 he, rose above party prejudice and stood by the constitution and the right
 Democratic applause.)
 He also cited the case of Ramy, col
 ored republican from South Carolina in the Forty fifth congress, where the democrats had insisted that he should have the oath administered to him. He
 also quoted the late President Garfield in support of his contention that where the credentials presented were regular in form there was no power in the 1o,, %o ,I,,Ia tt1l ,11I of
 MT. Richardson read the words of Mir. Garfield which concluded: There are no personal objections"
 But there are personal objections in the case before the house." interposed MT. Taylor amid laughter.
 Not personal objection to the mem- ber-elect," said MT. Richardson.
 Yes, personal objections" shouted a member on the republican side amid another outburst.
 MT. Richardson read from alleged in terviews with MT. Dalzell of Pennsyl- vania, MT. Stone of Pennsylvania and MT. Cannon of Illinois, in which they are alleged to have said that MT. Rob- erts had the right to take the oath on his credentials. Messrs. Dalzell and Stone denied the interviews.
 Mr. Roberts himself took the floor in his own defense after Mir. Richardson had concluded. He occupied a conspic- uous place in front of the clerks desk. Several legal volumes were piled in front of him and a bouquet of carna- tions lay on his deck. The most in tense interest was manifested as he arose. Members crowded about, but were compelled to retire to their seats The galleries were hushed. The occu- pants leaned over to listen, eager to let no word escape. Mr. Roberts voice was soft and low, but his enunciation was distinct and in the stiffness could ] be heard all over the house. As he got into his argument, however, his voice grew louder until on several occasions i it rang out until the fretted ceiling | overhead gave back the echo.
 MT. Roberts began by sending to the clerks desk and having read a copy of | his naturalization papers in order as he said, that all the documents in this case should be before the house. He then read paragraph from McCreary on elections containing gen sral caution against party procedure in election contests. Now, gentlemen" continued MT. Roberts, that is the statement of one whose book has au- -hority in this country and if it is the 'ule of the house in cases that arise to he dignity of a contest, how infinitely more should that rule be observed when 'nly mere protest is made against a member who presents himself to take he oath of office. I next proceed to the of the charges that are to justify what the gentleman rom Ohio himself comedies to be an proceeding and which my riend on this side (Mr. Richardson of has demonstrated to be un- orecedented.
 'The gentleman from Ohio bases his 'harge upon a court record-that some welve years ago in the midst of our conflict in the then territory of Utah { 'ver the subject of plygamy I pleaded ( guilty to the charge of misdemeanor. i The gentleman seems to be oblivious to he fact that since the date of his court , ecord on this subject we have had ; amnesties proclaimed The ( gentleman from Ohio has no court rec rd to show that I ever was arraigned ', r condemned for any crime whatsoever z ince the promulgation of the amnesty 7 T
 'The charge which is supposed to go |