St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-12-13
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Opening of COngress-The Roberts Case
In tho Senate Chamber-NInny Bills
in the House, Receptions and Enter
tainments-Lectures.

i'm the WOuse-KeceptiOns and Enter
tainments-Lectures.
tFrom our regular correspondent
Congress opened with an unusual
ly large concourse of people in atten-
dance; it was thought that there
were over 10000 people in and out
side of the Capitol seeking entrance
upon Monday, Dec. 4. A large pro-
portion were women, who felt that
the cause of woman and home were
at stake in the Brigham Roberts
case, and they were eager to obtain
entrance to the House but all of the
seats were reserved for the first two
days for members and their friends,
hence the public at large were exclud-
ed, which raised a storm of criticism
among the people who wondered if
Congress was intended only for re-
representatives., their families and
friends The question was asked,
have the taxpayers of the country
any rights and privileges or are we
drifting on to monarchy. Two
years ago a southern member
brought in eleven women, including
his wife, for reserved seats in the
gallery, and he was not a Mormon.
Several such infringements of mem
bers' rights led them to divide the
seats equally among the members.
The orkeeper reported that each
representative received this year
only three seats.
The Roberts case has been referred
to special committee, with Chair
man Taylor who represents the re-
publicans, and Representative Rich
ardson, the leader of the minority
(democrats) to bring out the two
sides of the case. Roberts is a very
persistent, obstinate man and in
tends to fight it out to the bitter
end. Immense rolls of anti.Roberts
petitions were brought into Con
gress, which Roberts ridiculed as
those of Sunday schools and thinks
his case should go to the judiciary
committee. He accused the Presi
dent of appointing Utah men who
were charged with polygamy, to lif,
positions. Representative Dalzel
pointedly asked, "Were they guilty p
He lodged a direct reply but sale
they were charged with that misde
meanor. He has daughter for hi.
secretary. Representative Taylol
made good point at the close O
the debate about admitting Robert,
E to the House and then turning hin
out, by quoting some poetry writer
r when one within the doors said,
} IT hear lion in the lobby roar,
Say. Mr.. Speaker, shall shut the door?
: Or shall we let him In and then
See If we cannot put him out again."
= There was one of the most beauti
, ful floral displays on opening day il
r the Senate Chamber that has BEEF
seen for some years. Every seat wa
filled by II a. m. and for one hou
v the pages were bringing in bouquet
e OF elegant costly roses of all colors
n chrysanthemums and flowers az
!, ranged in beautiful designs, tied wit
wide satin ribbon, until it seemed a
if every desk was covered and tn
/. Chamber looked like conservator
0 OF flowers. Tie mammoth crimson
!, roses on Senator Kenis' desk, tn
. new senator from New Jersey towe,
d ed up like a screen in front of him
l. Considerable amusement prevaile
{ when Senator Chauncey Depew c
: New York walked down the demo
n cratic end OF the House for a seat, t
n the corner where the pages had place
n large number of bouquets IN