The National tribune., 1899-12-07
OPENING OF CONGRESS
Roberts CASE Goes Over-Vice'
Presidents D sath Announced.

The Capitol Building was thronged as
usual on such occasions when the SSH
Congress opened its. session on Monday
last As the case OF the Mormon, b. II
| Roberts, was tok come up at once in the
House, most of those present as spectators
We're women. Anti-Roberts petitions were
piled high around the clerks desk.
During the morning there was much con.
sulting among the minority as to the course
to be followed by them when objection
| the leaders of the majority had decided to
object. Mr.. Richardson having been Sc,
| lected as leader of the minority, he was
very generally consulted on the subject.
The consensus of opinion appeared to he
| that party should not be considered in the
| matter, but that each individual member
should decide his course for himself, most
| OF the minority being ready to vote to unseat
Roberts by expulsion after due form OF a
| hearing.
Four men We're put in nomination for
Speaker, the Republican caucus having
| already settled the matter, if there was
any doubt. on Saturday night. The roll
call resulted: Henderson, III; Richardson,
1913; Bell, a; and NewlandS, =. The clerk
thereupon announced the election of Mr.
Henderson amid great Republican ap-
plause. He designated MIR. Richardson
MIR. Bell, and Mr.. Newlands as a committee
to escort the Speaker to the chair.
MIR. Richardson made a neat speech,
introduced him, and Gen. Henderson
made few pleasant remarks, and the
oldest member, Mr.. Harmer, Of Pennsyl-
vania, administered the oath.
The swearing in of the members then
proceeded.
1t was so arranged that the name Of
Roberts was the first one called OF the
small group in which he fell. Amid great
excitement he walked down the aisle to-
ward the clerks desk to take the oath.
Instantly Mr.. Taylor. of Ohio, took the
floor and protested against the oath being
administered, on the grounds that Roberts
is a pOlygamist, and that it is alleged that
he is not Il citizen.
Mr.. McRae ARK, d. seconded the OBJ
lection of Mr.. Taylor.
The Speaker then asked Mr.. Roberts to
step aside. Mr. Roberts replied that in
stepping aside he did so with the under
standing that he waived none Of his rights.
The Speaker said that none of the gen
tleman's rights would be forfeited by his
stepping aside. ThereupOn Roberts re-
turned to his seat without further remark.
Mr.. Taylor then introduced a resolution
referring the case Of Roberts to a commit
tee OF nine, to be appointed by the Speaker.
BY general arrangement the case was
postponed until after the receipt OF the
Presidents message.
These officers of the House We're elected:
Alexander Mcdowell, of Pennsylvania,
Clerk; Henry CasSon, of Wisconsin. Ser
geant-at-Arms; w. J. Glenn, Of New York,
DoOrkeeper, and j. G.. McElroy, OF Ohio,
Postmaster.
After lively debate the House adopted
the rules Of the 55th Congress, known as the
Reed rules. Il. 81.
The Senate held short session, and the
proceedings We're more quiet.
AS usual on the opening days of a ses-
sion OF Congress the chamber was a verita-
able conservatory. Scarcely single Sena
tor WAS forgotten in the lavish floral dis
play AS the Senate had not vet been
informed officially of Mr.. Hobart's death
i e g was no emblem of mourning at the
desk. Mr.. Frye, President pro tenn, called
the Senate to Iorder, Matthew Quay's
case was referred to the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, he having been
appointed by Pennsylvania Governor,
and there being protests against his being
seated.
Mr.. Sewell anhouneed the death of Mr..
Hobart, and the, Semitic adjourned in his
hor or, as did the House later.