The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-28
WILL ROBERTS BE
GIVEN HIS SEAT?
Speculation Rife Concerning Answer
to This Question.
CAUCUSeS TO MEET SAT URDAY.
Generally Conceded that representa-
tive Richardson. OF Tennessee,
viii BE Leader OF Minor
ity in tho House.
CAUCUSES TO MEET SATURDAY.

WASHINGTON. Nov ~ Special.-Spec-
ulation is rife concerning what dispose
ton Will DE made OF the Roberts case.
1t is the general impression however.
that the Utah Congressman Will be al
lowed to take his seat.
Members when questioned as TO what
stand they intend to take in the matter,
with few exceptions. decline 10 discuss
the case. As 20 how the Virginia dele
cation will vote Is not known. All OF the
Virginia members now in Washington are
nOn-c0mmittal and believe that the mat
ter should not be discussed until the
merits Of the case is heard before Con-
gress. This seems 10 bee the general opin-
ion of Democrats and Republicans alike.
They all state that they are ignorant as
10 the case. and will not form an opin-
ion until Mr. Roberts is given a chance
10 be heard.
\ caucus Of the Democratic members
will be held Saturday afternoon, and the
Republicans will meet the same night.
II IS generally understood that the Rob
erts case will then be discussed. Until
that time the disposition of the case will
remain in doubt. Representative Joseph
c. Cannon of Illinois, who is slated for
chairman Of the Appropriation Committee.
is one of the few that has expressed any
opinion on the seating Of Roberts.
IT Is ABSURD.
He is quoted as follows.
Mr.. Cannon regards as absurd much that
has been printed i'm the newspapers on the
Roberts case. In answer 10 a question
Mr.. Cannon said that the talk that Rob
erts would not be permitted to take his
seat because some representatives would
object, was ridiculous.
If such a proceeding is attempted" said
Mr.. Cannon. 1T will make the representa-
tive who does It absurd. There seems TO
be little doubt. however. that member
will come to the front. for that purpose,
on the opening day Of the session.
IF. after a memeber has been sworn
in" continued Mr.. Cannon, "he can. by
obiecting prevent some other member
from taking the OATH why it will he seen
that it would be in the power Of the first
few members who are sworn in to tie up
the House, and make chaos Of the pro-
ceedings.
The name Of Roberts was placed on the
roll Of the epresentatives-elect by the
Clerk Of the House and that act OF that
official put Roberts exactly on the same
footing with the other representative
elect, so far as their right TO participate
in the organization of the House is con-
cerned"
Mr.. Roberts is confident that he will be
successful in his fight, and does not in
tend 70 surrender without a struggle.
MINORITY LEADER.
1t is generally conceded that Represen-
tative Richardson. of Tennessee, will be
selected as the minority leader OF the
House. His adherents now claim that he
has sixty-seven votes pledged. The rival
candidates are DeArmond, Of Missouri
sulzer. Of New York. and Bankhead, of
Alabama. All claim to have a strong fol-
lowing.
Your correspondent IS IN a position TO
state with absolute certainty that If the
services Of General Fitzhugh Lee are not
requested I'm cuba. he. with Generals
Wheeler and Wilson, will be placed on
the retired list as acknowledgements I'm
the regular army. Il Is said 10 be the
purpose Of President Mckinley 10 ask
Congress TO thus reward these heroes.
Every member OF both branches Of Con-.
gress who has expressed an opinion on
the subject believes that such action,
should be taken.
While CALAMITY leading his company
against a strong body of insurgents,
lieutenant Charles VI. Smith was killed
on November 22nd az Iloilo in the Prov
ince Of Panay
This information was received at the
War Department to-day
Lieut.. Smith was a son OF the late
John Amber Smith. who formerly repres-
ented the Richmond district In congress.
His grandfather was the late John +.
Lewis who at one time represented Vir-
gnia In the Senate.
Lieut. Smith was a regular army officer
18th Infantry on July first. 1899. He has
resided in Washington FOR some years,
but has relatives and friends in Rich
mOnd.
His uncle. Maurice Smith a prominent
Washington attorney az one time prac-
ticed law I'm Richmond
Lieut. Smith served with great dis
tinction In the Cuba campaign. He re-
oeived his appointment solely on his re-
cord having passed the highest eXamina-
ton Of his entire class His record I'm the
Philippines has been unusually meritori-
orfg