The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-02
TO hEEp ROBERTS OUT
Republican Conference Decides to Object
to His Taking the Oath.

WASHINGTON. Dec. las outlined In THE
Bun this morning, the conference OF Repub-
leans held tonight on the Roberts case dele
gated one OF the number to protest against
Roberts being permitted to take the oath and
arranged for the introduction OF resolutions
referring his case to q special committee. AL
though not party caucus. the meeting largely
resembled one. as at least half the leaders
on the Republican side were present Among
them were Representative Henderson. tho
coming Speaker. Representatives Sherman
OF New York. Hepburn OF Iowa. Payne OF New
York. Taylor OF Ohio. Dalzell Of Pennsylvania.
Hill Of Connecticut. Alexander Of New
York. Reeves OF Illinois. Warner OF Illinois.
lands OF Indiana. Morris OF Minnesota,
Steele OF Indiana. Cannon OF Illinois and Gros-
venor OF Ohio The conference wns therefore
considered as representative OF the House. and
there Ia little doubt that the procedure agreed
upon will DO carried oct In the House on Mon
day.
When the conference was called to order In
tho rooms OF the Interstate Commerce Com
mittee, Mr.. Hepburn explained why he had
issued the invitations to those present.
general discussion followed aud Representa-
tive Taylor was called upon to read brief
prepared by him dealing with the Roberts case.
Mr.. Taylor was Chairman OF Elections Commit
Il,
appointed so he had devoted consider
able portion OF the summer TO studyinRup the
case from It's legal side. When he began the
investigation he was OF the opinion that the
House had no right to prevent Roberts from
taking his seat. and whatever action was TO DO
taken must come after he had taken the oath.
AZ he proceeded with the Investigation. how
ever. he began. to view the matter H. dlf-
fcrent light. and when he concluded II he was
convinced that the House not only had tho
right. but could insist on Roberts being pre-
case had been Investigated
Mr.. Taylor. read his brief to-nIght in which
he argued TINT Roberts had never properly
purged. a. far as the public statements showed,
Of tho crime for which he was convicted. and
therefore, he was Ineligible 70 seat IN the
a man who had been sentenced to confinement
for life IN the Utah penitentinry while tho
not changed any more than thai OF tho lie
became a STATE. He said everything tendod e
show that Roberts was still under the ban OF
the law. and that until IL was proven that he
had ru5ged himself he was ineligible to seat
While there were number present who dis
agreed with Dir. Taylor when he began his
argument, when he finished the sense OF the
meeting was unanimously ia favor OF adopting
his view. aud the subsequent agreement was
reached without dissenting voice. Mr.. Hey
When St the State Of Utah Is rsHched on Monday
a member OF the House will object 20 his taxi
ing the oath. He will then lie told 10 stand
aside and resolution will be introduced 10y
Mr. Taylor referring the Roberts case to u
sneciul committee aud providing that until
that committee reports he shall not take his
seat This resolution will be adopted and the
committee appointed. OF which Mr.. Taylor will
be Chairman
gardcd Hs practically dlsJos'ng III the Roberts
case. a. under present conditions there Ia little
doubt that the report will hold that Roberts Nv
Ineligible and his seat will 10 dec Jared vacant.