The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-06
ROBERTS DEFENDS HIMSELF.
HE WAS FIERCE AND DEFIANT AND
WON MUCH APPLAUSE.

R1cnaruSOn was DeteOted-DemO-
crnts First Voted for It-Hoyv the
GeOrgians stood.
Washington, Dec. 5.-After an interesting
debate Of three hours the House to-day,
by vote of S02 to 80, adopted the resoIu-
ton offered by Mr.. Tayler of Ohio, yes
committee to investigate the charges
against Brigham II. Roberts, the Mormon
epresentative-elect from Utah.
BY the terms of the resolution Mr.. Rob
erts is now not only excluded from all
participation in the proceedings of the
House until the committee reports and the
House passes upon his case, but he is de-
MED a seat in the hail.
Whether this will be interpreted to de-
ny him admission within the chamber
pending the disposition of his case, is yet
to be decided.
The reading of the Presidents message
was completely overshadowed by the dra-
matte proceedings which resulted in the
action of the House to-day. The galleries
were thronged with spectators, mostly
women, who sat patiently through the
three weary hours that preceded the de-
bated, and then waited three hours more
until it was concluded.
The most remarkable feature of the de-
bate was the fact that Mr.. Roberts pre-
sentation of his own side of the case
which lasted almost an hour, became so
absorbing that he won the sympathy of
many of those in the galleries, and was
several times showered with applause. II
was evident that he realized that the
House was Overwhelmingly against him,
and al times he spoke fercely and def
antly.
Roberts Case Taken Up.
After the reading of the message the
Speaker laid before the House the Tayler
resolution to refer the Roberts case.
MIR. Tayler Immediately took the floor.
1t was arranged that there should be
three hours debate, one and one-half on
each side one-half hour to be allowed Mr..
Roberts and to come out of the time of
the minority. This arrangement having
been made, Mr.. Richardson, the Demo-
cratic leader, gave notice of a substitute
he should offer, as follows:
where as, Brigham H. Roberts, from
The state of Utah, has presented a certifi-
cate of election in due and proper form
as a representative from said state; there
fore. be 1t
Resolved, That without expressing any
opinion as to the right or propriety of his
retaining his. seat in advance of any prop
er Investigation thereof, the said Brigham
II. Roberts is entitled to be sworn in as a
member of the House upon his prima
facie case.
Resolved, further, That when sworn in
his credentials and all the papers in rela-
ton to his seat be referred to the Commit
Zee on the Judiciary with instructions to
report thereon at the earliest practicable
moment"
Mr.. TayIer's Contentious.
Mr.. Tayler contended first that Mr..
Roberts conviction of violations of the
Edmunds law in 1889 rendered him ineii-
gbe by the eighth section of that act;
second, that If since guilty of polygamy,
he is still ineligible under that act; third.
that if polygamist within the meaning
of the decision of the Supreme Court he
is ineligible independent of that statute;
fourth tilat the compact between Utah and
the United States justifies the House in
refusing him admission. Mr.. Tayer urged
that il would be better for the House 10
exclude Mr. Roberts than to expel him.
All the authorities he said, were against
the right of the House to expel men,
Der for acts done prior to his election, no
matter how vile they might be.
Wnen Mr. Tayler began to speak Mr.
hoberts left the seat he had been occupy
hlg and took a seat near the main AISLE
Nhere he could hear with greater ease.
throughout Mr.. Tayler's remarks he sat
FACING his accuser, except when he turned
70 ms desk to take notes of the points TO
"hlch he desired to reply.
Mr.. Richardson's Views.
Mr.. Richardson the minority leader, fol-
lowed Mr.. Taylor. He did not intend, he
SAID to discuss the merits of the case.
Ihe question in issue was whether the
tepresentat've-elect, Roberts, had prima
iacla right to his. seat. He was not will
HlS to reject a representative-elect who
appeared al the bar of the House with his
credentials in due form. II he was denied
ADMISSION a precedent would be created
which would rise to plague the House in
iiears TO come. He was willing to say that
tne charges against the member-elect
sion
il there is one thing the American peo-
PIE are unit upon" said he, "it Is that
M ue American home shall be preserved In
ADpause)
Koberts in His own Defense.
Nj Roberts himself took the floor in
Ils own defense, after Mr.. Richardson
nao concluded. He occupied a consplcu-
o-s o1 pace Immediately in front of the
rG rigrk desk. Several legal volumes were
p"e' up in front of him and a boquet of
t~'u7'lons lay upon his desk. The most
a. ''0 interest was manifested as ne
oLose. Members crowded about, but were
oiHaleiled o1H TO retire to their seats The
I,e.,es were hushed. The occupants
s"l'p over to listen, eager TO let no word
800 Mr.. Roberts first sent to the
ti1lA desk and had read his naturaliza-
vo' y9n p'pers He then began 10 speak. His
~ - was soft and low, but his enuncia-
h. was distinct and in the stiffness could
han heard to the fartherest corner of the
CHI Hoberts proceeded to answer the
n DE- against him. He said two Presi-
Con- % mad proclaimed amnesty since his
4 ,5a, ion for a misdemeanor He denied
A ard Ny mad been law-breaker since 1889
IT. @SAed why he had not been prosecuted
4 en- a l lW-brealSer. He referred to the pres
4 this station .5t9tion as a Conspiracy" to force
NJ SppoJeet to the front at this time
\ tor "oherts dramatically invoked protec-
SAL, -0r the representative of a sovereign
q h. e, lie asked no privilege. no favor,
This .alned, but he demanded his rights
N fsei,r" "as given with such emphasis and
Fl gb-is mat vigorous and long continued