The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-06


ton and the right" pcmocratie applauAe.)
He also cited The cane Of Ramy. col-
ored, Republican. from South Carolina. In
tho Forty-nfth congress-. whore the Demo
Gratis had insisted that he shonld have the
oath administered to him. He also quoted
the late Prcsadent James A. 0erAeld In
support Of his contention that where the
credentials presented are regular in form
there Is no power IN the house to exclude
him, Mr.. Richardson read the words Of
Mr.. Garfield. which concluded: There are
no personal chjections'
But there are personal objections In tho
case before the house." intsrposed Taylor
amid laughter and applause.
mot personal objections to the member
elect" said Mr. Richardson: personal dis
qualifications only are alleged"
"yes. personal ohjectionA" shouted =
member on the Republican side amid an
other outburst.
Alleged Interviews Denied.
Richardson read from alleged interviews
with Dalxell OF PENNSYLVANIA. Steele Of In
diana and Cannon OF Illinois. In which they
were alleged to have stated that Roberts
was entitled to take the oath upon the
prima facie evidence Of his credentials.
palxeil and Steele denied the inter-
views.
Cannon asserted that in his opinion II
charges Of ineiigibility were made It was
competent for the house to receive them
now or hereafter.
Roberts Makes q Defense.
Roberts himself took the floor In his
own defense after Mr.. Richardson had
concluded. He occupied conspicuous
place Immediately In front Of the clerks
desk. Several legal volumes were piled
up In front. and bouuet of carnations
lay upon his desk. The most intense in
terest was manifested as he arose. Mem
bsrs crowded about. but were compelled
to return to their seats. The galleries
to listen. eager to let no word escape.
Roberts first sent to the clerks desk
and had read his naturalization papers.
He then began to speak. His voice was
soft and low. but his enunciation was
distinct. and In the stiffness could be
heard to the farthest corner Of the
hall. As he got into his argument. his
voice grew louder. until on several occa-
sions 1t rang out until the fretted ceiling
overhead gave back the echo. He
then read paragraph from
McCreary on "Elections,' con-
tanning general caution against hasty
procedure in election contests.
NOW. gentlemen" continued Mr.. Rob
erts. that Is the statement OF one whose
book has authority In this country. And
II that 10 the rule of the house Of repre-
sentatives In cases that arise to the dig
nifty OF contest. how infinitely should
that rule be observed when only mere
protest IL made against member who
presents himself to take the oath OF Of
fee. next proceed to the consideration
of the charges that are supposed to JUS
tify what the gentleman from Ohio (Tay-
lori himself comedies to be an unusual
proceeding, and which my friend on this
side tRichardson) has demonstrated to
he an unprecedented proceeding. The
gentleman from Ohio bases his charges
upon a court record: that some twelve
years ago, in the midst of our conflict
In the then territory Of Utah over the
subject of polygamy, that pleaded
guilty to q charge of q misdemeanor. The
gentleman seems to be obiivious to the
fact that since the date OF his court
record on this subject we have had two
presidential amnesties proclaimed that
have been applied to men disqualified