Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-05
PROTEST AGAINST ROBERTS
Objection to the PoIyEnmist Made by
House Member of Each
Great Party.

House Member of Each
Great Party.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.--When the name
OF Brigham II. Roberts was reached in the
| house roll call the Utah member elect pro-
ceeded alcne to the area in front of the
speakers desk and awaited the administra-
| tion Of the oath. At the same time Repre-
sentative Tayler OF Ohio secured recoEni-
tion. and amidst breathless interest pro-
tested against the swearng-in Of Roberts on
the ground of his being a poygamist and
not a properly naturalized American citi-
zen.
Mr. Tayler spoke calmly and dispas-
sionately. Mr.. Roberts stood gazing in
tensely at him and not once moved muscle
throughout the protest.
II do so, Mr. Speaker" he continued. "on
my responsibility as member of this house
and because specific, serious and apparently
well-grounded charges of ineligbility are
made against him. A transcript of the pro-
ceedngs OF court in Utah evidences the
fact that he, claimant, was in 1899 con-
victed or that he pleaded guilty of the
crime of unlawful cohabitation Affdavits
and other papers in my possession indicate
that ever since then he has been persistently
guilty of the same crime and that ever since
then he has been and Is now a polygamist.
"If this transcript and these afidavits
and papers tell the truth, the member elect
from Utah 10, in my judgment, ineligible to
be a member of this house of representa-
tives, both because of the statutory disquali-
fication Of the Edmunds law and for higher
and graver and quite as sound reasons.
II ought also to say, in addition to what
have just said, that l have in my pos
session a certified copy of the entry under
which the claimant to this seat was natural
lied and that eminent counsel assert that
IL this be the record in the case this claim
ant is not a citizen of the United States.
offer and express no opinion upon that
proposition.
"Mr. Speaker, If it were possible to en-
phasize the gravity of these charges and
the responsibility that is at this moment
imposed upon this house, we will find that
emphasis in the memorials, a small part
OF which could be physically cared for in
this hall, but all Of which l now present
to the house from over 100000 American
men and women protesting against the en-
trance of this representative-elect from
Utah"
Representative McRae of Arkansas fol-
lowed with a protest from the democratic
Slue, saying InlS issue was one lnNOlNlnR
the sacredness of the American home,
sentiment that brought an outburst of ap-
plause.
Speaker Henderson then addressed Rob
erts, saying:
will the gentlemen stand aside until the
roll call is completed?"
Mr.. Roberts assented with the statement
that in so doing he waived none of his rights
Il can assure the gentleman" answered
the speaker that he valves none of his
rights by this course"
Mr.. Roberts then resumed his seat and the
roll call proceeded.
1t was agreed by unanimous consent that
the consideration of the resolution should go
over until tomorrow after the reading of the
presidents message
The swearing-in of the remaining memb
was then concluded. The officers of the
house, Clerk Mcdowell of Pennsylvania
Sergeant at Arms Casson of Wisconsin;
Doorkeeper Glenn of New York and Post
master McElroy of Ohio were elected The
usual resolutions to inform the president
and senate that the house was organized
were adopted.
A committee, consisting of Messrs. Payne
OF New York, Cannon of Illinois and Rich
ardson of Tennessee. was appointed to wait
on the president with a similar committee
from the senate.
The formal memorial and protest against
the admission of Brigham H. Roberts to a seat
in congress was circulated in printed form
and placed on the desks of members during
the day. The main points are that Roberts
is not citizen since "at all times after 1888
he was and row is bigamist and polyg-
amist, contrary to the law: that he has been
rrOgaputad and Dunishpd mil a,fn
habitatlon with more than one woman; that
he was born of British parents within the
British realm and has never renounced his
allegiance to Queen Victoria
After reciting the legal and moral obiec-
| tions to Roberts, the petition asks that he
be not allowed to take the oath of office or
to have a seat in the house: that special
committee investigate the subject and that
Roberts seat be declared vacant. The do o-u-
ment is signed by Josiah Strong New York,
president of the League of Social Service.
and many others.
After the remaining members had been
sworn in Mr.. Tayler presented his resolu-
ton, as follows:
Whereas, 1t Is charged that Brigham H.
Roberts, representative-elect to the Fifty
sixth congress from the state of Utah is
ineligible to a seat In the house of repre-
sentatives, and,
NHerehSi oucn Il CHarBe lS made through
a member of the house on his responsibility
as such member, and on the basis as he
asserts. OF, public records. afildavits and
papers evidencing such ineigibility,
Resolved, That the question of prima
facie right of Brigham II. Roberts to be
sworn In as a representative be referred to
a 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 a seat
have power to send for persons and papers
and examine witnesses on oath in relation
to the subject matter of this res olution.
SENATE A BOWER OF FLOWERS