The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-06
Mr.. TAYLER'S ARGUMENT
REHABILITATION OF THE
CHARGES AGAINST ROBERTS.
DRAM ,TlC R PLY OF THE UTAH MEMBER
His Oh arge Of he Appointment Of POIygamists
Brings Grosyenor to His Feet in Hot De-
fence of the Administration. Rob-
er!s AppIauded.

er's Applauded.
Washington, Dee. 5.--After an inter
esting debate of three hours, the House
today by vote of 302 to 80 adopted the
resolution offered by Mr.. Taylor, of Ohio,
yesterday, for the appointment of a spec
ial committee to investigate the charges
against Brigham II. Roberts, the Nor
mon Representatives from Utah. By
the. terms of the resolution Mr.. Roberts
| IS now not only excluded from ali par
ticipation in the proceedings of the
House until the committee reports and
the House passes ON his case. but he is
denied a seat in the hail. Whether this
will be interpreted to deny him admis-
sin0 within the chamber pending the dis
position of his case is yet to be decided.
The reading of the Presidents message
was completely oyershadoWed by the
dramatic proceedings which resulted
In the action OF the House today
The galleries We're throngsd with spec
tators, mostly women, who sat patiently
through the three weary hours that pre-
ceded the debate and then waited three
hours more until il WAS concluded. The
most remarkable feature of the debate
was the fact that Mr.. Roberts presenta-
flon Of his own side Of the case, which
lasted almost an hour, became SO alb
sorbing that he won the sympathy of
many OF those in the galleries and was
several times showered with applause.
II Was evident that he realized that the
f&ouse w.ts Overwhelmingly against him,
and az times he spoke fiercely and de-
iantly.
After the reading of the message the
Speaker laid before the House the Tay-
Ter resolution to refer the Roberts case.
Mr. Tayler Immediately took the floor.
1t was arranged that there should be
three hours debate, one half on each
side, one half hour to be allowed Mr..
Roberts ard to come out Of the time Of
the minority. This arrangement hav-
ing been made, Mr.. Richardson. the
Democratic leader. gave notice of a sub
stitute he should offer as follows:
Whereas, Brigham H. Roberts. from
the State of Utah, has presented GER
tificate of election in due and proper
form as Il representative from said
State, therefore, be it
Resolved, That without expressing
of his retaining his seat i'm advance of
any proper investigation thereof, the
said Brigham ii. Roberts is entitled to
be sworn In as a member of this House
upon his prima facie case.
Resolved, further, That when sworn
in his credentials and all the papers in
relation to his right to retain his seat
be referred to the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, with instructions to report there
on at the earliest practicable moment.
Mr.. Tayler contended first that Mr..
Roberts conviction Of violations of the
Edmunds law in 1880 rendered him in
eligible by the eighth section Of that
act; second, that if since guilty of polyg-
amy he is still ineligible under that act
third, that if a polygamist within the
meaning of the decision of the Supreme
Court he is ineligible Independent of that
statute; fourth, that the compact be-
tween Utah and the United States JUS
tiies the House in refusing him adj |
mission.
Mr. Tayler urged that it would be bet |
ter for the House to exclude Mr.. Rob-
crts than to expel him. All the authori
ties, he said, were against the right of
the House to eXpel a member 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 occu-
pying 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 except when
he turned to his desk to take notes of
the points to which he desired to re-
ply.
Mr. Richardson, the minority leader
followed Mr.. Tayler. He did not i'm
tend, he said, to discuss the merits of
the case. The question in issue was as
10 whether the Representative-elect
Roberts had prima facie right to his
seat. !ETe was not willing to reject a
Representative-elect who appeared at
he bar of the House with his credentials
n due form. If he was denied admis-
sion, q precedent would be created
which would rise to plague the House
N wears to come. He was willing to
say that if the charges against the mem
,er-elect were proven he should favor
his expulsion. IF there is one thing the
American people are unit upon, said
le, 't is that the American home shall
ne preserved in all its loyeliness.
weetness ard purity" (Applause)
Mr.. Roberts himself took the floor In
lis own defense after Mr.. Richardson
lad concluded He occupied a CON
picuous place Immediately in front of
he clerks desk. Several legal volumes
we're piled up. in front OF him and ~