Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-12-06
ROBERTSBARREDOUT
Case of the Mormon is Referred
to the Committee.
HE MAKES DRAMATIC APPEAL
mr.I6ylol's Resolution Prevails, Bog to 30,
Mr. Richardson's Substitute, Seating
Roberts PendirK Investigation.
Defeated by Vote CT "a; to 80.
#(By Telegrapll.l

(By TelegraphD
WASHINGTON. December 5-Attar
an interesting debate of three hours ,nt
House to-day by Il Vote Of 302 TO 50
adopted the resolution offered by Mir
| T2yler. Of Cno. yesterday for tht. APP
po;nriEert Of a special committee to
investigate the charges against Bring
ham II. Roberts. the Mormon repre-
| sentative elect from Utah. BY ahe
terms OF the resolution. Mr. Roberts is
new not only excluded from all palti-
cipatiun in the proceedings of Che
| House until the committee reports and
the House passes upon his case. but n.
| is denied 4 seat in the hall. Whetny :.
this will be interpreted to deny him
admission within the chamber pending
| the disposition Of his case rs Yet 70 be
as'sis:5i. The reading of tine Pre5i-
! dents message was completed over
shadDWed by the dramatic proceedings
which resulted in the action of he
| House tO-.IE. ..-"
W'oNE'N 'rHRoNti THE. GALLERIES
| The galleries We're throngcl with
| spectators mostly women. who SAT
patiei.tly through the three weary
hours that preceded the debate and
then waited three hours more until it
was concluded. The most remarkable
feature u the debate WAS the face tina.
! MI i.5oeilS presentation OIL MS OWL
| 81 le q The case, Which lasted almost
an hour. became absorbing: that ne
| Won The sympathy Of lll.lny Of rhos"
| in the galleries and was several times,
s'howered With applause It was evi-
! dent th4t he realized that the House.
was overwhelmingly against him. ana
at times he spoke ficrcely and defiant
~.
1Hl. ROBERTS CASE.
/ After the reading OF the message the
I l,;cs
1 Taylor resolution to refer the Roberts
case. ....
MI. Taylor immediately took the
!!Hor. II Was arranged that there
Should be three hours debate. one half
ION each side, one hair hour 10 be al
| lowed Mr.. Roberts and to CONF. OUT OF
| che time of the minority.
This arrangement having been made.
| Nj. Richardson. the T.amocrltic lead
81, gave n"tic" Of a substitute he
should offet' as follows: - VT.
| Whereas. Brigham II. Roberts, from
| the state OF I tan. has presented a Ger
tlticatc CT election in due and proper
| form as Il Representative from said
state. therefore be it, " M.
| Resolved, That without expressing
any opinion as to the right or loroprie-
ty of his retaining his seat in advance.
the said Brigham II. Roberts is entitled
70 be sworn in as a member of this
House upon hisprima facie case.
Resolved. Further. that when sworn
| IN his credentials and all the papers
| In relation to his right to retain his
seat be referred to the Committee on
the judiciary with instruc tons to re-
| port thereon at the earliest practical
Bile moment.
TAYLER'S CONTENTION.
Mr. TaEler contended first that Mr.
! Roberts conviction of violations of the
l - w y;
eligible by the eighth section Of that
act: second. that. if since guilty Of po-
lySamy, he is still ineligible under that
act. Third. that if a polygamist with
| in the meaning of the decision OF the
| Supreme Court he is ineligible indie
pendent Of that statute. FCurth. that
! the cc:nEact between Titan and the
United States justties the House in re-
| fusing him admission Mr. Tay!er urged
that it would be better for the House
| to exclude Mr. Roberts than to expcl
| him. All the authorities ne said, Were.
against usle right Of the House to expel
| a member for acts done prior to his
election. no matter how vile they might
be.
When Nh. Taylcr began to speak Mi.
Roberts left the seat ne had been oc-
cupNing and took a seat near the main
aisle where he could hear With greater
ease: Throughout Mr. Tayler's re-
marks he sat facing his accuser, ex-
ccpt when he turned to his desk to
| take notes of the points to which he
desired 10 reply.
MIR. RICHARDSON SPEAKS.
| Mr.. Richardson. TIL" minority leader.
followed Mr.. Tayler. :1s did not in
tend. he said. to discuss the merits OF
the case. The question in issue was as
70 whether the Representatives. elect
Roberts had Il prima facie right to his
seat. He was not willing To reject a
Pepreseatative-ele who appeared at
the bar of the House With his creden-
tia!s in due form. If he was denied ad-
mission Il precedent would be created
which would rise to plague the House
lin years 10 come. He was willing 10
say that ii the charges against the
member elect We're proven he should
faror his expulsion. IF there is one.
thing the American people are a unit
upon. said he. iii is that the American
home shall be preserved in all its love
/ tApplaHse.p -
MIX. ROBERTS IS HEARD.
Mr.. Roberts himself took the floor in
his own defense after Mr. Richardson
had concluded. He took a conspicuous
place Immediately in front Of the
clerks desk. Several legal volumes
| ,Ie.c piled UP in front Of him and a
! bouquet Of carnations lay upon his
desk. ht. most intense interest was
manifested as he. arose. Members
crowded about, but We're compelled to
retire TO their seats. The galleries Were
i hushed. The occupants leaned over "a
listen eager 70 let no word escape. Mr.
Roberts first sent TO the clerks desk
ard had read his naturalization papers
He ;h"" began to speak His voice
4 was soft and low blt his en,Ipca t;n,,