The Yale expositor., 1899-12-08
CONGRESS ASSEMBLIES.

Congressman Roberts. of Utah. Not Civ N
the Oath-Both Houses Adjourn.
The opening of the 56th congress at
noon on Dec. attracted that wide
spread attention which always attaches
20 the annual assembling of the ma
tional lawmakers There was added
interest in the event this year, for the
many far-reaching questions awaiting
consideration gave unusual Importance
to the return of congress-.
In accordance with the time honored
custom. the oldest member of the house
in point of service, Mr. Harmer, of
Pennsylvania, administered the oath to
the speaker, David Ii. Henderson, of
Iowa. The speaker than announced
that the oath would be administered to
the members by states. AS the names
of the members were called they APP
peared at the bar in groups of about n
dozen and there with raised hands were
sworn in by the speaker.
When the name of Brigham II. Rob-
erts was reached in the house roll call
the Utah member-clect proceeded alone
to the area in front of the speakers
the oath. At the same time Rep. Tay-
lor, of Ohio, secured recognition and,
amidst brcathless interest, protested
against the swearing Of Roberts, on the
ground of his being a polygamist and
not properly naturalizcd American
citizen. Mr.. Taylor spoke calmy and
| dispassionately, and at the close offered
! the following resolution for the APP
! pointment of a special committee TO in
| vestigate the Roberts case:
Whereas, 1t is charged that Brigham
| II. Roberts, a representative to the 56th
congress from the state of Utah, is in
! eligible TO a seat in the house of repre-
| sentativcs; and,
Whereas, Such charge is made
| through a member of the house. on his
! responsibility rs such member, and on
! the basis, as he asserts, of public rec
| ords, atiiGavits and papers evidencing
/ such ineligibility;
| Resolved, That the question of the
! prima facie rights of Brigham III. Rob
/ erts to be sworn in as n representative
| be referred to n special committee of
nine members of the house. TO be APP
! pointed by the speaker, and until such
| committee shall report upon and the
! house decide such question and right,
! the said brigham III. Roberts shall not
! be sworn in nor be permitted TO occupy
a scat in this house; and said commit
/ tee shall have power to send for per-
sons and papers and examine witnesses
on oath in relation TO the subject mat
ter of this resolution.
Officers of the house are as follows:
Clerk McDowall, of Pennsylvania. Ser
/ geant-at-Arms Casen, of Wisconsin,
Doorlleeper Glenn, of New York, and
Postmaster McElroy, of Ohio.
In the shadow of the recent death
of its president, Vice-President Hobart,
| the senate convened at noon on the 4th
in the first session of the 56th congress.
| After the usual routine of business,
customary on the opening day, Mr..
Sewell, of New Jersey, then announced
! the death of Vice President Hobart and
offered the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the senate has re-
! ceived with the deepest regret informa-
ton of the death of Garrett Augustus
! Hobart, late vice-president of the
! United States
! Resolved. That the business of the
| SCudIe DC SuSpcHileu III oIuSF JhdJ INC
distinguished public services of the de-
ceased and the virtues of his private
character may be fittingly commem-
Grated.
Resolved, That the secretary of the
senate be instructed to communicate
these resolutions to the house of repre-
sentatives.
AS further mark of respect the SEN
/ n 20 and bouCp both nd iournp1
L. IL rI,