Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-12-05
his people q 10 hIs country. AM ., us arc under


not secured by petty contests narrow helds. but
must be sought and won on broad patriotic lines Of
thought and action.
II is my duty, as it will be my aim and pleasure.
to impartially administer the laws adopted for our
he the cooperation of the members Of this house
The generous partiality aud kindness that have
been shown to me by the entire membership mere,
encourage to believe that such imperfections as
may have will be modified by the considerate and
supporting disposition Of those constituting this
great body.
an ready to take the oath OF office.
In accordance with the time honored Gus
tom, the oldest member of the house In
point of service, Mr.. Harmer, of Pennsyl-
vania. administered the oath to the speak
oath would be administered to the MEM
bers by states. As the names of the MEM
bers were called, they appeared at the bar
In groups of about dozen, and there, with
raised hands, were sworn in by the speak
er.
The moment for which all present were
anxiously waiting came when the state OF
Utah and Mr.. Roberts name were called.
- Instantly hush fell upon the assem-.
bly,. Mr.. Tayler, of Ohio. was on his feet
asking for recognition. The speaker rec-
ogniZed him Immediately.
II object to the swearing in OF the rep
resentative-elect from Utah ana 10 ~, us
taking his seat" began Mr.. Tayler, IN
clear, distinct voice
Mr.. Tayler continued:
do 80, Mr. Speaker. on my responsibility as
member OF this house. and because specihc, serious
and apparently well-grounded charges OF nehgioisy
are made against him. transcript OF the proceea-
ings in Utah evidences the fact that fe me
claimant. in 1858 convicted or that he PLEADED
guilty of the crime Of unlawful cohabitatlon- AM
cayits and other papers in my possession indicate
that ever since then he has been persstenty guilty
Of the crime, and that ever since then ne mas
been and is now, a pOlygamist. II this transcript
and these afadayits and papers tell the trutn the
member-eIect from Utah is. in my Judgment inelsi-
both because OF the statutory Discrimination Oh tae
Edmunds Law. and for higher and grayer ana quite
sound reasons.
ought also TO say in addition to Just what have
Just said. that have in my possession certineo
copy OF the entry under which the claimant to this
seat naturalized. and that eminent counsel as
sert thst If this be the record in the case: this
claimant is citizen Of the United States oner
and express opinion upon that proposition
Mr.. Speaker II II were possible TO emphasize the
gravity these charges and the responsibility that IS
at this moment imposed upon this house. We viii IND
that emphasis in the memorials. small part OF
which could be physically cared tor IN TINS na' Da
0oa American men and women, protesting against
the entrance this representafve-elect from Utah.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Tayler's re-
marks, Mr.. McRae, Democrat, of Arkansas,
briefly expressed his concurrence In the
protest of Mr.. Tayler. If the charges hang
ing over the head of the representative
elect from Utah were true, he said, his be-
ing sworn in would be an assault upon
every American home. If true, Mr. Rob-
erts was guilty of a violation of the laws
of the United States and of Utah, and the
charges should be investigated II they
in conclusion, there should not be vote
in the house in favor Of allowing him
seat in this body"
Meantime. Mr.. Roberts had advanced TO
the head of the aisle, and stood there ir-
in view of the objection" said the
speaker, addressing him, the gentleman
will step aside"
Il do So" replied Mr. Roberts, with the
understanding that by my action 1 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 was 70 demonstration either on
the floor or in the galleries.
The remaining members were then sworn
in, after which Mr.. Tayler Immediately Of
fered his resolution to refer. the case OF
Mr. Roberts TO a special committee. The
resolution was as follows:
Whereas. 1t is charged that Brigham H. Roberts.
q representative-elect the Fifty-sixth congress
from the state of Utah. is ineligible TO seat in the
house Of representatives. and,
Whereas, Such charge is made through men,
ber Of the house. his responsibility as such mem
ber, and the basis. as he asserts, OF public
records afidayits and papers evdencing such mel
Resolved That the question of the prima faci-
right Of brigham II. Roberts to be sworn in as
representative be referred TO special committee
OF nine members Of the house. TO be appointed by
the speaker. and until xuch committee shall re.
port upon and the house decide such question and
right the said Brigham H.. Roberts shall not be
Evorn in or be permitted 10 occupy a seat in this
house; and said committee shall have power to
send for persons and papers and examine witnesses
On oath in relation to the subject matter of this
resolution.
An agreement was then reached by which
the consideration of the resolution should
be postponed until tomorrow after the
reading OF the presidents message. The
excitement thereupon quickly subsided and
many of the spectators left the galleries.
Mr.. Dalzell, Republican. of Pennsylvania,
one of the Republican floor leaders. then
prectpitated a short but lively debate by
nfI a fnr, fnr he 81
the rules Of the last congress. They wers
the rules of three congresses. he said, and
their operation had proved their value.
Mr.. Bailey, Democrat, of Texas, protest.
ed against forcing the rules of the las,
house permanently upon the present house
without warning or consideration, but he
ed temporarily, until others could be
framed.
Mr. Richardson Democrat. of Tennes.
see, indorsed what his colleague had said
but, from what the public press had said
he realized how hopeless resistance would
be- Nevertheless, he protested in the name
Of the minority, He good naturedly chided
Mr.. Hepburn, Republican, of Iowa, who
frequently complained of the rules in the
last congress. for not leading his partisans
In tight for their reformation. Had hi
done so, Mr.. Richardson said. the minorit,
would have been glad to join him.
Mr.. Bailey followed with some specifi,
criticism OF the, rules and their opera
tion. a.+- L.
Mr.. Hepburn. Republican, of Iowa, reply
ing to Mr.. Richardson, admitted that h
had favored some notifications but h.
frankly sated that his colleagues IN tn,
Republican caucus had been opposed {,
him and that he had yielded to their unitet
wisdom. 1000 =
Mr.. DalzelI then moved the previous
question. which was ordered, and the vot
taken by ayes and nays. upon the adoptio,
of the rules of the last congress.
While the roll was being called a larg
noral gavel from the Union Veterans
Union of Dubuque. Ia, and beautiful
basket Of flowers from his old comrade
were placed on the speakers desk. Th
resolution for the biennial seat drawinj
was then adopted by unanimous consent
Mr. Crow. of Pennsylvania. as an ex
OF Pennsylvania, the oldest member, wer
granted the privilege of selecting thei
seats before the drawing. Each selecte
his old seat. The members then retire
leaving the floor vacant, and a blindfolde
page, Griffin Halstead, a son of Mura
Halstead. drew the little balls containing
the numbers from q box. Each bah wa
numbered and the number of the membe
corresponding was given an opportunit
to select q seat as his name was called.
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, was the frs
prominent Republican who was forced t
30 TO the Cherokee strip on the Demo
cratic side for a seat. He was receive
with applause by Democrats.
All during the call of names Mr.. Robert.
of Utah. had been standing in the rea
of the railing eagerly listening for hi
name, but when the balls were exhauste
his name had not been called. AS he ha
not taken the oath. no ball had been place
in the box for him. but. by an acciden
he secured seat. The names of two Re
publican members had not been calle
when the balls were exhausted. The speai
er explained that the balls were exhauste
and asked II any members had not bee