The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-01
ROBERTSD DOOMED
A Poll of the House Members
Has Been Made
And More Than TWO-Thirds Will
Vote to Unseat.
WILL BE SWORN IN,
And Then Will Follow Effort to
Put Him Out.
Movement viii Be of Non-Par-
tisan Character.
ILL BE SWORN IN,

New York, Dec. IA special to the
Herald from Washington, d. c., says:
Brigham H. Roberts, the member
elect from Utah, will meet with a stall
wart opposition when he appears to
claim his seat in the house of represen-
tatives next Monday. A careful poll
made by the Herald shows this concIu-
sively.
To obtain so far as possible the sense
of the members of the house of repre-
sentatives. the Herald has caused to be
made a careful canvass of the house.
Each member who could be reached
was asked how he would vote on the
question of permitting Brigham H.
Roberts to take and retain his seat, as
suming that the charge of polygamy
shall be proved to be true.
Responses have been received from
more than two-thirds of the entire
membership of the house. OF this num-
Der only twO-One from Michigan, and
one from GeOrgia-declare themselves
in favor of admitting Mr.. Roberts re-
gdrdlesS Of the charge against him.
The Herald's canvass shows an over
whelmlng sentiment in favor of un-
seating the mem mber-elect from Utah.
While more than One-third of the
members express themselves emphati-
cally as intending to vote to unseat Mr.
Roberts, this proportion does not by
of those who will so vote. Many new
members who have not yet taken their
seats are disinclined to express their
opinions for publication There are
many who take the ground that it
would be improper for them to an
nOunce in advance their opinion in a
case on which they are to sit in judg
ment. In almost every instance these
members, while giving n-committal
interviews for publication, privately
admit that they expect the evidence to
be such as to warrant them in voting
against Mr.. Roberts.
The opposition will not be directed
against Mr.. Roberts personally. nor will
it be directed against the Mormon relig-
ion as system of religious belief 1t
will be directed against the practices of
which Mr. Roberts has been publicly
charged.
The atmosphere at Washington
seems to be charged with anti Roberts
sentiment. Representatives who have
come here undecided, after comforting
with their associates, have determined
to vote against seating MI. Roberts and
have no hesitancy now in publicly de-
claring their intention. Men who have
given nOn-cOmmittal interviews have
asked to have them changed No pOlit-
icaI lines are drawn in the case. Many
Democrats are among the most deter
mined opponents of seating Mr.. Rob
erts.
Mr. Roberts seems to be very conf
dent that he will be sworn in and that
he will retain his seat throughout the
congress. He viii not discuss his plans
however. When the Herald correspOn-
dent told Mr.. Roberts the result of the
canvass he said:
IF that be the condition, the mem
bers of the house have prejudged the
case and have not a word to say
now"
It is probable that Mr. Roberts will
be sworn in just as are the other mem
bers-elect. Few. if any, of the repre-
sentatiVes dispute the constitutional
power of the house to then begin pro-
ceedings to turn him out. The course
that most members favor is the adop-
tiOn of a resolution eXpeITing Mr.. Rob
erts. This would require a two-t thirds
vote.
There are others, and Harry Smith
the parliamentary expert. agrees with
these, who hold that the house can, by
a simple majority vote. declare the seat
of the representative from Utah va
cant, on the ground that the man sent
to the house to fill it is disqualified to
serve.