The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-12-22
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT.
Special correspondence of the REGISTER;

gress would be the most interesting
since the Civil war closed bids fair to
be verified. Already legislation has
been outlined and problems present
ed of a magnitude and fsr.reaching
Importance such as has never been
faced before by the highest law-mak-
ing body in the land.
Aside from the new territorial
problems which came as result of
the war with Spain Congress was met
at the very outset face to face with
the question as to whether It
should countenance the great social
evil, polygamy. The overwhelming
vote of 3O2 to 80 against the seating of
Brigham II. Roberts, the polygamous
representative.elec from Utah,
showed the temper of the American
people and how dangerous it would
be for any representative who prac.
ticed it to try and gain official iecog
milton as law maker.
For the overwhelming sentiment
against Roberts it is but just to hold
the women of the country responsible.
Under the brilliant leadership of Miss
Helen Gould of New York they piled
up petition after petition in front of
Speaker HendeIson's desk on the dav
of the opening until fully seven
millions of the American people were
"heard" in silent protest against the
proposed outrage.
M more thrilling sight can be con-
ceived than that OF opening day when
Roberts was brought face to lace with
his accusers. The galleries were
crowded and the tlutterng silks and
ribbons formed a sprightly back.
ground for the determined faces of
hundreds Of women who came to add
the moral influence OF their presence
to their written protest. The pile OF
petitions was placed in front of the
Speakers table and its great height
almost hid him from view.
When Roberts was halted at the
bar by Representative Taylor who
challenged peremptorily his right
to he sworn in, his look of studied de
fiance will linger long in the memory
of those privileged to see it. But his
accuser was firm and pressed his
argument with such Vigor and
clearness that the Utah member
was ordered to stand aside until his
case could be Investigated and passed
upon by proper committee.
REAL WORK OF CONGRESS
The Roberts case was only all Incl.
dent in the Congressional drama.
The real work came, not in throttling
sentiment of rolygamy, which was
foredoomed, but in passing sound
financial measure and in shaping
policy to meet the needs, yes the
pressing demands of our new terri
torial possessions. There was not
the slightest hesitation in going
about the work. 1t was shown
clearly in caucus debate on the
financial bill that there was to be the
most perfect harmony between Speak
er Henderson and the majority
members of the present House. After
u short caucus session the financial
measure presented by the committee
which had drawn it up during the
last summer, was passed without
dissenting voice. This was most re-
markable and showed the perfect
harmony as stated between the
Speaker and his Republican followers.
Over the comb ined opposition the
Republicans have majority of only
10 and the showing of unanimity
made was most fortunate. For las
most always -happens) if there had
been q few whose delight is in
policy of delay it would have taken
days of tedious debate to bring these
reCalcitrants into line.
STRONGLY ORGANIZED MINORITY.
The minority Is most strongly or
ganized under The leadership of Mr..
Richardson of Tennessee. The Ten
nessee man is exceptionally well
equipped for his important position
and has reputation for fairness and
a desire to expedite matters that did
not attach to his predecessor on the
floor, Mr.. Baily of Texas.
Mr.. Richardson, like Mr.. Bailey, is
a forceful debater with infinitely more
dignity, and less Oratory of the
pyrotechnic variety. During his past
Legislative career Mr.. Richardson has
shown desire to bring about legis-
lation which could as nearly as possi-
pie conform to the Democratic faith
rather than to take delight in block.
ing the opposition with petty objec-
tions and subterfuges in interpreting
the rules.
The Republicans, then, have them
selves well in : hand and they are
pOninO with a Hi0niHad on1 ,,,on |