Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-12-11

out the names.
Mr.. Roberts sat listening intently for
his name. and when it was called he
responded Here in loud voice But
he looked nervous and ill-at-ease.
When the name of Brigham
Roberts was reached in the house roll
call, the Utah meinber-clect. proceeded
alone to the area in front of the
speakers desk, and awaited the adj
ministration of the oath.
At the same time Representative
Taylor of Ohio secured recognition, and
amid breatbless interest protested
against the swearing in Of Roberts, on
the ground of his being IA polygamist
and not a properly naturalized Ameri-
can citizen. Mr. Taylor spoke calmly
and dispassionately Mr.. Roberts
stood gazing intently at him and not
once moved muscle throughout tho
protest. Mr.. Taylor said,
II do so Mr.. speaker, on my respon-
sibility as a member of this house, and
because specific, serious and appar-
emily well-grounded charges of ineligi-
bility are made against him. trans
cript of the proceedings of court IN
Utah evidences the fact that he, claim
ant, was in 1889 convited or that he
pleaded guilty of the crime of unlawful
cohabitation. Affidavits and other
papers in my possession indicate that
ever since then he has been and is now
a polygamist.
IF this transcript and these affida-
Wits and papers tell the truth, the
member-elect from Utah is. in my judg-
ment, ineligible to be member of this
house of representatives, both because
of the statutory disqualification of the
Edmunds law, and for higher and
graver and quite as sound reasons
II ought also to say, in addition to
what 1 have just said, that l have in
my possession certified copy of the
entry under which the claimant to this
seat was naturalized and that eminent
counsel assert that if this be the record
in the case this claimant is not citi-
zen of the United States. / offer and
express no opinion upon that PROPOSE
ton.
"Mr. Speaker, if it were possible 70
emphasize the gravity Of these charges
and the responsibility that is at this
moment imposed upon this house. we
will find that emphasis in the memoir
- H. J..
physically cared for in this hall. but
all of which l now present to this
house from over seven million Ameri-
can men and women protesting against
the entrance of this representatives,
elect from Utah.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Taylor's 4
marks, Mr.. McRae Dem. Ark brief
expressed his concurrence in the pro-
test of Mr.. Taylor. If the charges
hanging over the head of the repre-
sentative-clect were true. he said, bis
being sworn in would be an assault
upon every American home. If true,
he said, Mr.. Roberts was guilty of a
violation of the laws of the United
States and of Utah and the charges
should be investigated. If they were
proven, he said emphatically in con-
clusion, there should not be vote in
the house in favor OF allowing him a
seat in this body.
ROBERTS ASKED TO STAND ASIDE.
Meantime Mr. Roberts had advanced
90 +he head of the aisle and stood there
irreso}rteiy. In visw>~at the oolee-
ton, said the speaker, ddressi2F4
him, 1.-THE gentleman viii steA as>Se"
Il do so, replied Mr.. Roberts. with
the understanding that by my action
| waive none of my rights
None of the gentleman's rights will
be lost said the speaker, and Mr..
Roberts thereupon retired quietly to
his seat. There vas no demonstration
either on the ho9 or in the galleries.
TAYLOR RESOLUTION
The remaining members were then
sworn in, after which Mr.. Taylor of
fered his resolutPn to refer the case of
Mr.. Roberts to special com hittee
The resolution WIS as follows:
Whereas, 1t is:harged that Btgham
H. Roberts, IA rpresentative-elAct to
the Fifty-sixthy congress, from the state
of Utah. is ineligible to a seat in ythex
house of representatives, and
Whereas, such charge is made
thronoh a number of the house on his