The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-29
THE ROBERTS CASE.

The method of procedure to be adopted
by the house of representatives in getting
rid OF MIR. Roberts, the polygamst rep.
resentative-elect from Utah, is to be
considered at a conference of republican
leaders TO be held Friday in the room OF
the committee on Interstate and foreign
commerce.
This conference mas been called by Rep
resentative Hepburn of Iowa, who has
devoted considerable attention to the
case. Among those who will participate
viii be Representatives Payne of New
YORK, Dalzell OF Pennsylvania and Gros-
Venor and Taylor 10 Ohio. Mr.. Taylor
was the chairman OF the committee on
elections in the last congress. to which
were refreed all the petitions and protests
against the seating Of Mr.. Roberts re-
ceived before the adjournment In March
At the request of Mr.. Henderson he has
been making careful study OF the case
and of preoedents. He is net willing to
discuss it in any way, however, at this
stage OF the proceedings.
Former Speaker Cariisle and MIR. Harry
IL. Smith, the parliamentary expert. two
of the counsel retained to represent the
opposition to seating Mr.. Roberts, will
present the result OF their Investigations
as to presidents az Fridays conferences.
Mr. Smith has made careful and ex.
haustve rtudy OF all the preceients since
the foundation of the government. II has
resulted IN his reaching the conclusion
that MIR. Roberts must be sworn in on his
certificates OF election and that ho eau
only be unseated by resolution of ex-
pulsion under the constitutional power OF
the house to eXpel by a two-thirds vote.
Mr.. Smith has found that there are in all
sixty cases on record in which attempts
have been made to prevent the swearing
in of representatives-elec and that the
attempt has failed In every case in when
there was not a contest between rival
claimants OF the seat.
Mr.. Carlisle is expected in Washing
ton tomorrow. He will be accompanied
by President Strong and Secretary Toll
man OF the League for Social Service,
which is the organization that has en-
gagged the counsel to present the case
against Mr.. Roberts. Miss Helen Gould
has supplied this league with the sinews
OF war which has enabled 1t to employ
such an array of high priced counsel as
has been engaged. In addition to Mr.
Carlisle and Mi. Smith, former Senator
Edmunds has been retained and retainers
have been offered to former President
Harrison and former Speaker Reed Mr.
Reed was forced to decline owing to the
pressure OF other business; Mr. Harrison
has not yet been finally heard from.
Representative Galusha a. Grow OF
Pennsylvania the oldest member OF the
house. former speaker OF that body and
one of the best informed men on parlia-
mentary presidents in the United States,
said today; IF there are sufficient rea
sons to expel a member from the house
the same reasons. provided they exist
when the member elect appears 10 be
sworn in, would justify the house In re-
fusing 10 permit him to take his seat The
house is, under the Constitution, the sole
Judge Of the qualifications OF It's MEM
hers Representative Bailey OF Texas
arrived here tonight and says it Is per-
feotly clear to his mind that the swearing
in OF Mr.. Roberts can not be legally pre-
vented in view of the fact that he comes
to congress with the proper credentials
and without a contest formally made
against him.