The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-04

WASHINGTON. Dec. s-The opening
work of the session in the house promises
to be crowded with stirring events. Usually
no actual business is transacted until after
the holiday recess. This year 1t Will be
different. At the very Threshold Of the
session viii come the contest over the ad-
mission Of Representative B. II. Roberts,
OF Utah, and. later In the week. the house
wfll plunge into an important and possibly
a protracted debate on the financial bill.
which was prepared by the Republican
leaders last spring at Atlantic City.
Adopt Plan of Procedure.
In the Roberts case the Republican lead
ers have adopted a plan of procedure,
which is designed to prevent Mr.. Roberts
from taking the oath OF office until after
the charges In connection with his alleged
polygamous practices have been investi-
gated by a special committee.
Mr.. Taylor, of Ohio. will make the objec-
ton to the administration Of the oath to
Mr.. Roberts tomorrow. and will offer res
olution referring his case to a special COM
mttee. There is considerable scattered OBJ
lection to this method Of procedure. on the
ground that the refusal Of the house to
permit q representative-elect, bearing cre-
dentials. to be sworn in upon unproyen
charges would create bad precedent, and
might result in chaos at some future time
when political feeling ran high.
Bombarded with Petitions.
But there are several precedents for this
course in the case of members charged with
disloyalty after the war, and these7wlil be
used in support of the procedure. Every
member OF the house has been bombarded
with petitions In the Roberts case, and
there undoubtedly will be a large major
ity, without regard to party lines. In sup
port Of the plan outlined by the Republi-
can leaders.
Owing to the time which will be con-
sumed in the disposition of the Roberts
case tomorrow. the drawing of seats. which
usually requires several hours. probably
will be postponed until Tuesday.
VIII Press Financial Bill.
The announcement of Vice President Ho-
barts death will be made before the Rob-
erts case Is disposed Of. and the house
will adjourn out OF respect to his memory.
The drawing Of seats and the reading of
the presidents message will occupy Tues
day. Tuesday night the Republicans will
caucus on the financial bill.
1t is the intention OF the Republican lead
ers to make this a caucus measure and pass
It before the holiday recess. The house
will decide. IL the present intention Is fol-
lowed, not to wait for the appointment OF
the committee on banking and currency.
but to bring the bill into the house forth
with, probably under a special order from
the committee on rules.
The debate will begin on Wednesday.
Democrats Are Divided.
Considerable diversity of opinion exists
among the Democratic members of the
house of representatives as to the best
policy to be followed by the party tomorrow
when the Republicans object to the admin-
istering of the oath Of office to Represen-
tative Roberts. the Mormon member-elect
of Utah. The Democrats have not yet con-
ferred on the matter, but some understand
ing may be arrived at tomorrow morning
before the house meets.
Some of the leaders believe that to refuse
to permit member-elect to be sworn in
will establish dangerous precedent and
interfere with his constitutional rights.
They think, therefore, he should be per-
mtted to take the oath of ofice. and the
matter OF his eligibility then be determined
by committee of the house.
bailey Has n Plan.
This is the opinion Of Representative
Bailey, of Texas, and it Is said tonight
that he will ask that Mr.. Roberts be sworn
In, but at the same time will declare that
this does not commit him to the right Of
Mr. Roberts to sit as member Other
Democrats believe that as matter of
policy no objection should be raised to the
plan of procedure determined on by the
Republicans. An objection to the Repub-
lican plan Of procedure at this stage, they
assert, Will give the impression to many
who do not investigate the question thor
oughly that the Democrats are in favor
of Mr.. Roberts sitting as member of the
house, and that no attention will be paid
to the contention that the objection was
made on constitutional grounds.
Richardson Not to He Quoted.
Representative Richardson, the leader of
the minority, said tonight that no plan OF
action on the part of the Democrats had
been determined on, and he preferred not
to be quoted as saying what, in his opin-
ion, they should do
Senate VIII he Quieter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The first week
in the senate will doubtless be marked by
considerable lethargy, as usual On Mon
day the new senators will be sworn in, but