Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-05

SGalo III lilc loWeT DTdtCT OIL SOHBTGSS,
| administered the oath TO the Speaker.
AS the names of the members were
called they appeared at the bar in
groups of about u dozen and there with
raised hands were sworn in by the
Speaker.
ROBERTS PRESENTS HIMSELF.
The moment for which all present
were anNiously waiting came when the
State Of Utah and Mr.. Roberts name
were called Instantly hush fell upon
the assembly. Mr.. Taylor of Ohio, was
on his feet asking for recognition. The
Speaker recognized him Immediately.
Il object to the swearing in of the
representativeielect from Utah and to
ms tnkins his seat" began Mr.. Taylor,
In clear distinct voice.
Il do So. Mr.. Speaker" he continued.
on my own responsibility as a mem
per OF this House, and because specftlc.
serious, and apparently well-grounded
charges OF ineligiblity are made
against him. ~ transcript of the pro-
eeedings of court in Utah evidences the
fact that the claimant was in 1889 con-
victed or that he pleaded guilty, of the
crime OF unlawful Capitalization. AfT-
daVits ana other papers in my possess
sion Indicate that ever since then he
mas been persistcnty guilty OF the Same
crime, and that ever since then he has
neen and is now n polygamst. If this
Transcript and these arTidavits and pa
pcrs tell the truth, the membcr-elect
from Utah is, in my Judgment ineligi-
Die 10 be member of this House of
representatives, both because of the
statutory disqualification of the Ed
munds law. and for higher and Graver
ana quite as sound reasons. 1 ought al
so TO say. in addition TO what l have
just said, that L have in my possession
certified copy OF the entry, under
which the claimant to this seat was
naturalized. and that eminent counsel
assert that if it be the record in the
case THIS Claimants nnta-citizon-aR
inc united States. offer and express
no opinion upon that proposition.
Mr.: Speaker, If 1t were possible to
emphasize the gravity of those charges
and the responsibility that is at this
moment imposed upon the House. we
VIII lind that emphasis in the memoir
iais, 4 small part of which could be
physically cared for in his hall, hut
an OF which I now present to the
House, from over 7000.060 American
men and women protesting against the
entrance or this Representatives elect
from Utah"
A SEAT ASSIGNED MIR. ROBERTS.
AT the conclusion of Mr. Taylor's
remarks, Mr.. McRae QDem., Ark)
briefly expressed his concurrence in
the protest of Mr.. Taylor
'In view OF tile objection" said the
Speaker. addressing him, ''the gentle
man will step aside"
81 do So" replied Mr. Roberts, with
the understanding that b5' my action
I waive none of my rights"
"None of the genileman's rights will
be lost" said the Speaker, and Mr.
Roberts thereupon retired quietly to
his seat. There was no demonstration
either on the floor or in the galleries.
INVESTIGATION ORDERED.
The remaining members were then
sworn in, after which Mr.. Taylor i'm
mediately offered his resolution to re-
fer thee OF Mr.. Roberts to special
committee. The resolution was as fol
lows:
Whereas, it is charged that brigham
Fl. Roberts, a representative lect to
the Fifty-sixth Congress from the State
of lItah. Is ineligible to seat in the
House of Representatives. and
Whereas, such charge Is made
through n member of the House on his
responsibility rs such member, and on
the basis, as he asserts of public re-
cords, afIidavits and papers evidencing
such ineligibility,
"Resolved, That the question of the
prima facie right of Brigham II. Rob-
erts to be sworn in as q representative
from the State of Utah in the Fifty
sixth Congress rs we'll as his final
right to q seat therein as such repre-
sentative. be referred to special COM
m'ttee 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 II. Rob-
erts shall not be sworn In or be per-
mitted to occupy seat in this House:
and said committee shall have power
to send for persons and papers aud ex-