The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-06
Presidents Name Brought Into
the Controversy
DOES NOT REQUEST BUT DEMANDS
The Gentleman From Utah Saws That a
Member Was Once Seated by
Republicans and the Sun
Was Not Darkened

Washington December -5.-After an in
teresting debate of three hours the house
today by a vote of SO2 to 80 adopted the
resolution offered by Mr. Taylor of Ohio,
yesterday for the appointment of a-special
committee to investigate the charges
against Brigham H. Roberts, the Mormon
representative-elect from Utah. Previously
the house had rejected a substitute resolu-
tion offered by Mr.. Richardson, the leader
of the minority to allow Mr.. Roberts to be
sworn in and to send the whole case to the
Judiciary committee. This substitute reso-
luton, however, by means commanded
the full democratic strength. Only 81
members voted for it. OF the 80 who voted
against the Taylor resolution all. were
democrats but two, Mr.. Loud, republican,
Nevada.
BY the terms of the resolution Mr. Rob-
erts is not only excluded from all participa-
tion in the proceedings of the house until
the committee reports and the house passes
upon his case, but he is denied seat in
the hall. Whether this will be Interpreted
to deny him admission within the chamber
pending the disposition of his case is yet to
be decided.
The reading of the presidents message
was completely overshadowed by the dra-
matte proceedings which resulted in the ac-
ton of the house today.
The galleries were thronsed with specta-
tors, mostly women, who sat patiently
through the three weary hours that pre-
ceded the debate and then waited on three
hours more until it was concluded.
The most remarkable feature of the de-
bate was the fact that Mr. Roberts pre-
sentation of his own side of the case which
lasted almost an hour, became so absorbing
that he won the sympathy of many of those
in the galleries and was several times show
cred with applause. 1t was evident that he
realized that the house was overwhelmingly
against him and at times he spoke iercely
nd defantly.
Mr. Roberts entered the hall about 1890
and Immediately became the cynosure of all
eyes. Just before the house convened he
took the seat he selected yesterday, on the
extreme right of the democratic side. No
arrangement as to the time limit for the
debate upon the resolution had been reached
when the house assembled.
1t developed that Mr.. Roberts name was
not on the official roll call of the house,
so that in case of a vote other action
by the house he would not be participant
This was in accord with all precedents
Mr.. Richardson, the democratic moor
leader said that no exception could be
taken to this procedure
At 12 o'clock Speaker Henderson called the
members to order. All arose In their
places, Mr. Roberts included, and stood
with bowed heads while the chaplain deliv-
cred his invocation.
After the reading of the journal had been
concluded Mr.. Cannon, from the committee
appointed yesterday to walt upon the pres1-
dent, said the president would communicate
in writing Immediately afterward Mr..
Pruden, the presidents executive clerk, an
nounced the message, and 1t was at once
laid before the house. The members list
ened attentively to the reading.
Reading of the Message
The reading of the message consumed
two and a half hours, and at the conclusion
the republicans gave 1t a hearty round of
applause. Mr.. Payne, republican, OF New
York. the floor leader of the majority, I'M
mediately moved that the message be re-
ferred to the committee on whole on state
union and ordered printed.
Mr.. Grow, republican, of Pennsylvania,
) xpressed desire to debate the message
,Ss~nSas34sr M then laid before the house
Mr. % Tavlor's resolution to- refer the Rob
erts case in accordance with the asfSs
ment of yesterday.
An agreement has been reached py Wnloh
each side shall have an hour, and half an
hour shall be allowed to Mr.. Roberts, who
will make a personal defense against the
charges. He has his original certificate of
disqualification which eMinent lawyers OF
the house who have examined 1t pronounce
as genuine and regular. 1t is believed that
the charge that Mr.. Roberts was not le-
pally naturaliZed cannot hold.
Mr. Taylor contended, first, that Mr..
Roberts conviction of violations OF the
Edmunds law in 1889 rendered him ineligi-
BILE by the eighth section OF that act; sec
ond, that IL, since guilty of polygamy, he
is still Ineligible under that act; third, that
if a polygamist within the meaning Of the
decision of the supreme court, he Is In
eligible independent of that statute; fourth,
that the compact between Utah and the
United States justified the house in refus-
ing him admission.
Mr.. Taylor urged that It would be bet
ter for the house to exclude Mr.. Roberts
than to expel him.
All authorities, he said, were against the
right of the house to expel member for
acts done prior to his election, no matter
how vile they might be.
Richardson's Resolution
IA resolution was Offered by Mr.. Richard
son providing that Mr.. Roberts should be
sworn in pending an investigation of his
case, which would be made by the COM
mittee on judiciary.
The substitute motion of Mr.. Richardson
was as follows:
"Whereas, Brigham H. Roberts, from the