The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-08
SENATE.

SENATE.
washington, December 5.-Today's
session of the senate lasted two hours
and forty minutes, practically the en-
tire time being consumed in the read
ing of the presidents message.
The reading of the document was
largely perfunctory, few of the sena-
tors according amy attention. Some of
them retired to their committee rooms
to peruse the message at leasure. while
a few followed the reading by the
clerks.
Senator Turley, of Tennessee, pre-
sented his colleague, Mr.. Bate, at the
desk Of the president, and president
Frye administered to Mr.. Bate the
oath of office.
The announcement of the death of
Senator elect Monroe l.. Hayward, Of
Nebraska, was received by the senate
with sincere regret. Although he was
not officially a member of the body, he
was we'll known to many of the sena-
tors, and by them was held in high re-
gard
AT the conclusion of the reading of
the message the senate adopted reso-
Thurston, of Nebraska, and, as a mark
of respect, adjourned Immediately.
HOUSE OFF REPRESENTATIVE
After an interesting debate of three
hours, the house today by a vote of
3O2 to 30 adopted the resolution offered
by Mr.. Tayler, of Ohio yesterday for
the appointment of a special committee
to investigate the charges against
Brigham II. Roberts, the Mormon rep
cvNto firya clio
terms of the resolution. Mr.. Roberts
Is now not only excluded from all par
ticipatiOn in the proceedings of the
house until the committee reports and
the house passes upon his case, but he
is denied a seat in the hall Whether this
will be interpreted to deny him ad-
mission within the chamber pending
the disposition of his case is yet to be
decided. The reading of the presidents
message was completely overshadowed
by the dramatic proceedings which re-
suited in the action off the house today
The galleries were thronged with
spectators, mostly women, VINO sat
patiently through the three weary
hours that preceded the debate, and
then waited three hours more until it
was conclnded. The most remarkable
feature of the debate was the fact that
Mr.. Roberts presentation of his own
side of the case, which lasted almost
won the sympathy of many of those
in the galleries and was several times
Showered with applause. 1t was evil
dent that he realized that the house
was Overwhelmingly against him, ard
at times he spoke fiercely and defantly-
After the reading of the message the
speaker laid before the house the Tay>
Ter resolutio to refer the Roberts case
Mr.. Tayier immediately took tine
floor. 1t was arranged that there
should be three hours debate, one-half
on each side, one-half hour to be allow
ed Mr.. Roberts and to come out of the
time OF the minority. This arrange
ment having been made, Mr.. Richard
son, the democratic leader gave notice
OF substitute he should offer as fol-
lows:
Whereas, Brigham II. Roberts, from
the state Of Utah, has presented a GER
tiflcate OF election in due and proper
form as a representative from the said
state, therefore be 1T,
Resolved, That, without expressing
any opinion as to the right or proprie>
ty OF his retaining his seat in advance
of any proper investigation Thereon,
the said Brigham H. Roberts Is entitl-
ed to be sworn in as member Of this
house upon his prima facie case.
Resolved Further, That when sworn
in his credentials and all papers in re-
iation to his right to retain his seat be
referred to the committee on the judi
ciary with instructions to report
thereon at the earliest possible moment.
Mr. Tayler contended first that Mr..
Roberts conviction of violations of the
Edmunds law in 1889 rendered him incl
igible by the eighth section OF that act;
second, that if since guilty of polygamy
he is still ineligible under that act;
third that if a polygarnist within the
meaning of the decision of the supreme
court he is Ineligible, independent OF
that statute: fourth, that the compact
between Utah and the United States
justifies the house in refusing him ad-
mission. Mr.. Tayler urged that 1t
would be better for the house to exclude
Mr.. Roberts than to expel him. All
the authorities, ne said, were against
the right Of the house to expel men,
Der for acts done prior to his election
no matter how vile they might be.
When Mr.. Tayler began to speak
Mr.: Roberts left the seat he had been
occupying and took a seat near the
main aisle where he could hear with
greater ease. Throughout Mr.. Tayler's
remarks he sat facing his accuser, ex-
cept when he turned to his desk to take
notes Of the points to which he desir-
ed to reply.
Mr.. Richardson. the minority leader
followed Mr.. Tayler. He did not in
tend he said. to discuss the merits oi
the case The question in issue was az
to whether Representa- tive-eqect Roo'
arts had a prima facie right to his seat
He was not willing to reject a repre-
Eenta tive-elect who appeared at tnt
bar of the house with his credentials
in due form If he was denied admis.
sion a precedent would De created
which would rise to plague uhe nous
In years to come. He was willing u