The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-12-16
WORK Of CONGRESS


Washington, Dec. 6.-After an inter
esting debate of three hours yesterday
by a vote of 3O2 to 30 the house adopt
ed the resolution offered by Mr.. Taylor
Of Ohio for the appointment of q spe
cial committee to investigate thu
charges against Brigham H. Roberts
the Mormon representative-elec from
Utah. Previously the house had re
jected a substitute resolution offered
by Mr.. Richardson, the leader Of thu
minority, to allow Mr.. Roberts to be
sworn in and to send the whole case
to the judiciary committee. This sub
;stitute resolution, however, by nc
means commanded the full Democrat
ic strength. Only 81 members voted
for it. OF the 30 who voted asains,
the Taylor resolution all were Demo
Gratis except Mr.. Loud of California
Rep, and MI. Newlands of Nevada
Silverite. BY the terms Of the resolH
ton MI. Roberts is not only excluded
from all participation in the proceed,
ings Of the house until the committee
reports and the house passes upon hit
case, but he is denied a seat in the
hall. Whether this will be interpreted
to deny him admission within the
chamber pending the disposition of his
case is yet to be decided.
The reading of the presidents mes.
sage was completely overshadowed by
the dramatic proceedings which re.
suited in the action of the house. The
galleries were thranged with specta.
tors, mostly women, who sat patiently
through the three weary hours that
preceded the debate and then waited
on three hours JDore until it was con.
cfuded. The most remarkable feature
OF the debate vas the fact that Mr.
Roberts presentation of his own case
which lasted almost an hour. became
so impressive that lie won the sympa,
thies of nany in the galleries, and he
was several times showered with mp,
plause. 1t was apparent he realized
the house vas overwhelmingly against
him, and ut times he spoke ~firrcely
and d%eiantly. MI. Taylor conducted
the cas- upon his side. Mr.. Richard
son championed his resolution. Dur.
ing the debate Mr.. Grosvenor Of Ohio
rose to Indignantly repcl an insinua-
ton of Mr.. Roberts that the president
had knowingly appointed men guilty
Of polygamy to federal office in Utah.
In the Senate
Yesterdays session of the senate
lasted. two hours and forty minutes,
practically the entire time being con.
sumed in the reading of the presidents
message. The reading was largely per-
functory, few senators according 1t
any attention.
The announcement of the death of
Senator-elect Munro Hayward of Ne
braska was received by the senate
with sincere regret. Although he was
not officially a member Of the body he
was well known to many of the sena-
tors and by them was held in high re-
gard. At the conclusion Of the read
ing Of the message the senate adopted
resolutions of regret presented by Sen
ator Thurston of Nebraska, and as a
mark of respect adjourned immediate
ly.
Washington, Dec. NEARLY 500 bills
and joint resolutions, several impor-
tant concurrent resolutions and petit
lions, numbering hundreds. We're pre-
scented to the senate yesterday. A ma
jOrity OF the bills We're old stagers. A
few were of. q national interest and
importance.
Mr.. Aldrich had the honor Of intro.
ducing the first measure in the senate.
It. was the financial bill drawn up by
the senate committee on finance, of
which Mr.. Aldrich is chairman, and
probably was the most important
measure introduced during the day.
Resolutions were offered providing
for an investigation by the judiciary
committee Of all phases Of polygamy
recently presented in connection with
what is known as the Roberts case;
expressing the sympathy Of TIE senate
for the Beers in their war with Great
Britain, and declaring that Senator N.
b. Scott Of West Virginia is not en-
titled to a seat in the senate.
Mr.. Harris, Pop, Kan, was appoint
ed a temporary member of the COM
mittce on privileges and elections. The
appointment is important and sisnffi-
cant because the committee has under
consideration the Quay, Clark and
Scott contests.
9 Washington, Dec. 8. - The session
of the house lasted only half an hour