New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-06
HOUSE SHUTS ROBERTS OUT
HIS CASE REFERRED TO A SPECIAL COM
MITTEE

UTAH CONGREssMAN-ELECT CANNOT TAKE
THE OATH OR OCCUPY SEAT PEND
ING FINAL DEcIsToN-HEARD y
IN HIS OWN DEFENCE
Washington. Dec. 5-After interesting de-
bate Of three hours the House to-day, by O. vote
of 302 70 30 adopted the resolution offered BY
Mr.. Tayler OF Ohio. yesterday for the appoint
ment OF a special committee to investigate the
charges against Brigham ". Roberts, the Nor
mon Representative-elect from Utah. Previ-
ously the House had rejected substitute reso-
luton offered by Mr. Richardson the leader Of
the minority 10 allow Mr.. Roberts to be sworn
in and 10 send the whole case 10 the judiciary
Committee. This substitute resolution, however,
by no means commanded the full Democratic
strength Only ffty- seven members voted for II.
or the thirty who voted against the Tayler reso-
luton all were Democrats except two-Mr. Loud.
a California Republican. and Mr.. Newlands, Q
Sllverite from Nevada.
BY the terms OF the resolution Mr.. Roberts 10
now not only excluded from all participation in
the proceedings Of the House until the commit
tee reports and the House passes on his case.
but a seat in the hall is denied TO him. Whether
this will be interpreted to deny admission within
the chamber to him pending the disposition OF
his case Is yet to be decided
The reading Of the Presidents Message was
completely overshadowed by the dramatic pro-
ceedings which resulted in the action of the
House to-day The galleries were thronged
with spectators. mostly women. who sat patient
ly through the three weary hours that preceded
the debate and then waited three hours more
until II finished.
The most remarkable feature Of the debate
was the fact that Mr.. Robertss presentation Of
his side of the case, which lasted almost
hour became so absorbing that he won the
sympathy Of many Of those In the galleries and
was several times applauded. 1t was evident
that he realized the House overwhelmingly
against him. and at times he spoke fiercely and
defantly
Mr.. Tayer conducted the case on his side.
Mr. Richardson championed his resolution. In
the debate Mr. Grosvenor Of Ohio. to repei
Indignantly an insinuaton made by Mr.. Rob-
erts that the President had knowingly appoint
ed men guilty Of poygamy to Federal offices in
Utah.
THE DEBATE ON THE CASE.
The reading Of the Message occupied two and
a half hours and the Republicans gave It hearty
round OF applause. Mr. Payne (Rep, n. ". moved
that the Message be referred TO the Committee Of
the Whole on the State OF the Union and ordered
printed. Mr.. Grow (Rep., PENN. expressed a de-
sire debate the Message but this was declared
out Of order.
The Speaker then laid before the House Mr.. Tay-
lers resolution to refer the Roberts case 10 spe-
cial committee. 1t was arranged that there should
be three hours debate. half on each sde half an
hour to be allowed TO Mr.. Roberts out OF the time
OF the minority.
Mr. Richardson. the Democratic leader. then gave
notice Of a substitute he would offer, follows:
Whereas. Brigham II. Roberts, from the State OF
Utah. has presented a certificate OF election In due
and proper form a Representative from said
Resolved, That without expressing any opinion as
20 the right or propriety Of his retaining his seat
said Brigham Fl. Roberts is entitled to be sworn in
as a member OF this House upon his prima facie
Resolved, further. That when sworn in. his ere
denfials and all the papers in relation TO his right
20 retain his seat be referred to the Committee
the judiciary. with instructions TO report thereon
al the earliest practicable moment
Mr. TAYLER PRESENTS CHARGES.
Mr. Tayler then began his speech in favor Of his
resolution. When he began speak Mr. Roberts
took seat near tho main aisle. where he could
hear with greater ease. Throughout Mr.. Tayler's
speech he sat facing his accuser except when he
turned 10 his desk TO take OF points which
he desired to reply.
Mr. Tayer said he would not urge the adoption OF
his resolution were he not prompted by a high
sense OF duty. The power OF Congress to halt the
claimant at the door, he insisted. clear He
read from decision OF the Supreme Court defining
poygamy, which stated that, irrespective OF
whether man had contracted a plural marriage
after the passage of the Edmunds act. and irre-
spective of whether he had since cohablted with
plural wife. ne guilty OF polygamy II he still
maintained the relation Of husband to more than
one wife. Referring to the two proclamations OF
amnesty he argued that the claimant in no
better position than he would have been had no
such proclamation issued. But higher than civil
law q law OF civilization which demanded
that sol tainted should excluded. The power
and the right were inherent. II only question
OF propriety, OF wisdom and OF precedent
I'VE told" said Mr.. Tayer. IN conclusion.
that we are about TO create unhappy prece-
dent. Why. Mr.. Speaker. are doing this In the
open gaze Of the whole world. not in coistered
| court. We the servants OF the people. en-
| powered TO do the right we see H. The public
eye is upon us. the public conscience quickens u.s.
| In that presence we can do no wrong II we DO
| but obey It,"
Mr. Taylers closing words were greeted with q
storm of applause from the floor and the galleries
! Few Democrats however, Joined in the demon
! sration.
| MR. RICHARDSON'S SPEECH
! Mr. Richardson. the minority leader. followed
| Mr. Tayier lie did not intend he said 10 DISCUSS
the merits OF the case. The question IN issue was
! as 10 whether Roberts had prima face right 10
! hts seat He was not willing 10 reject a Repre-
! sentotive-eoct who appeared at the bar OF tho
! House with his credentials In due form. III adms-
s,on were denied precedent would be created
| which would rise TO plague the House In years
| ~ come He dened the other side 10 produce
single precedent where objection was raised 70 the
admission OF the oath unless on exceptional grounds
rh. nrecedents cited were made during the war
and were not TO be relied upon. They had all been
since overruled after the passions that followed
,be war had subsidized. He was willing TO say
that II the charges against the memper-elect were
nrovcd he should favor his expulsion. III there
Is one thing the American people are a unit
unon " said he lit is that the American home
shall be preserved in all It's loveliness. sweetness
and purity" Appause)
Mr. Richardson cited several precedents In sup
port OF his position. The first was the case OF
George O Cannon who appeared in the House as q