The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-05
Latter Body, However, Has q Bill OF
It's own Containing Important
New Features.
PROVISIONS OF THE MEASURE
REFUNDING OF BONDS ONE OF THE
NOTABLE SECTIONS.
Estimates of the Secretary of the
Treasury-Roberts Almost Certain
to he Deprived Of His Seat.
eelal to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON. Dec. 4.-Representative
Overstreet got in ahead of everybody else
to-day with his monetary reform bill II is
numbered AZ" on the calendar. Speaker
Henderson was very anxious 10 give the
measure calendar preference over every
thing else and by arrangement with Mr.
Overstreet Ii took a position which gives
| it the right of way from sentimental as
we'll as a practical standpoint Mr.. Over
| street was rather disposed to await caucus
| action before introducing his BILL but II
did not take much pressure to induce him
| to yield to the wishes OF the speaker. The
4 Republican will make IL party measure
| at their caucus tomorrow evening and on
Wednesday II wih be referred to the COM
| mlttee on rules. This committee, or a ma
| jority of IL, will report the bill back with
| an order calling for its consideration at
such time and for such duration OF time
| as may be decided upon II is probable the
whole Of next week will be given up 10 the
| discussion Of the measure. although a be-
| ginning may be made on Friday. There Is
no desire on the part OF Republican lead
| ers to be unreasonable in the matter OF
| time and and it may be thought best TO
| give the members opportunity to study the
provisions of the bill and TO read the ac
companying report before entering on the
debate. Three days for each side is deemed
sufficient for the discussion and IL may be
assumed as a certaintyrthat- q vote will
be reached by the end Of next week.
To-day's proceedings in the House in the
Roberts case make 1t certain there is an
overwhelming majority against him and
that he will not be permitted to serve in
Congress Utahs representative. The
hearty second given Tayler's resolution by
Mr.. McRae, an Arkansas Democrat.
| showed that the movement against him is
nonpolitical. Mr.. Roberts expected strong
Democratic support, but a canvass among
Democratic members before the House was
| called to order disclosed the fact that
not less than sixty OF them would
vote against him. This estimate has been
raised TO one hundred tonight. dr. Rob-
erts. I'm conversation with his friends. lays
the blame for his downfall on the church
women of America. In this estimate he is
| probably not far out OF the way, as the
good people Of the land have massed
against him and have made their influence
| felt on individual congressman in man.
4
| possible, however, that change may be
made i'm the manner Of his ejectment-l
Through fear of establishing a dangerousl
precedent he may be allowed to take thel
oath of Office as a member OF Congress and
then be thrown out. On their face. his ere
| dentIals are apparently as good as those
| of any other member. fact which infiu-
ences some Of the more cautious ones to
wish TO go at the matter in different
way, IL possible. Still. the feeling against
him is infiexible and the action pro-
posed to be taken. being IN the nature
of notice TO the Mormon Church that 1t
must keep faith. the blow may be deliv-
cred brutally for a purpose. IL Polygamist
Roberts is kicked out good and hard. and
with scant ceremony, there can be no.rnis-
taking the intent OF Congress. IL that view
prevails. the Roberts episode win be a
brief one. and the Mormon Church viii be
stopped for many years to come from
further attempts to fool with the people.
The formal memorial and protest against
the admission of Roberts 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 1883 he was, and now is a
bigamist and polygamist," contrary TO the
/ law; that he has been prosecuted and pun
I ished for unlawful cohabitation 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 objections to Roberts. the pcti-
ton asks that he be not allowed TO take
| the oath Of office or have a seat In the
House. that a special COMMITTEES investigate
the subject. and Mr.. Robertss seat be de-
c'--~d vacant. The document is signed by
y h Strong. New York. president Of the
> or Social Service. and many others.
| e younger senators disposed TO
yield for the time being y the desires OF
the senior senators TO retain Colonel Bright
| as sergeant-at-arms. Some recent dismis-
sails OF old soldiers on the list of Senate
employees has started @. A y. crusade
against Colonel Bright, and the pressure
| from that and other influential quarters fs
likely TO become 90 great that u cannot be
long resisted. His friends are making a
| good fight for him. however. and as he is
an exceedingly smooth politician. he may
hang on awhile. II is too much. however.
for him TO expect 20 cling very long 10 the
best place in the gift OF an overw helminx-
ly Republican body:
A pretty incident preliminary to the meet
| ing OF the House OF Representatives oo-
CURED In the speakers Office, where oer-
eral Henderson was presented with a hand
some silk flag on stan cut from tie