The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-30
TO CONFER ABOUT ROBERTS
REPUBLICAN LEADERS WILL DE-
TERMINE PROCEDURE.
Employed by Social LeaGue-Ex-
perts Say He Must He Seated, But
House Can Then ExDel Him.

NEW YORK. Nov. "a special to the
Herald from Washington says:
The method Of procedure TO be adopted
by the house OF representatives In getting
rid of Mr. Roberts, the polygamist repre-
sentative-eiect from Utah. is to be consid-
cred at a conference of Republican leaders
to be held Friday In the room OF the com
mittee of interstate and foreign commerce.
This conference has been called by Rep
resentative Hepburn. Of Iowa, who has de-
voted considerable attention TO the case.
Among those who will participate win be
Representative Payne, of New York; Dat
zeli, Of Pennsylvania; Grosvenor. OF OHIO.
and Taylor OF Ohio Mr.. Taylor was the
chairman of the committee on elections in
the last congress, to which were referred
all the petitions and protests against the
seating OF MIR. Roberts received before the
adjournment in March. At the request OF
Mr.. Henderson he has been making care
ful study of the case and OF presidents.
He Is not willing to discuss 1t in any way,
however. at this stage Of the proceedings.
Former Speaker Carlisle and Mr.. Harry
n. Smith. the parliamentary expert. two or
the counsel retained 10 represent tle OPP
position to seating Mr.. Roberts, will pre-
sent the result OF their Investigations as
To presidents at Fridays conference. Mr..
Smith has made careful and exhaustive
study of all the presidents since the foun-
dation of the government IL has resulted
in his reaching the conclusion that Mr..
Roberts must be sworn in ON his cerutcate
of election, and that he can only De I'M
seated by resolution OF expulsion, under
the constitutional power of the house to
expei a member by two-thirds vote.
Mr.. Smith has found that there are in
all sixty cases on record IN which at
tempts have haen made to prevent the
swearing in of representatives-elect. and
that the attempt had failed in every case
In which there was not contest between
rival claimants OF the seat
Mr.. Carlisle Il expected in Washington
- acclmD3ntSd
President Strong and Secretary Toiman, OF
the League Of Social Service, which Is the
organization that has engaged the counsel
to present the case against Mr.. Roberts.
Miss Helen GouiG has supplied this league
with the sinews of war. which has en-
abled 1t to employ such an array CT high
addition TO Mr. Carlisle and Mr.. Smith.
former Senator Edmunds has been retain
ed. and retainers have been offered to for
mer President Harrison and former Speak
or Reed. Mr.. Reed was forced to decline.
owing 10 the pressure of other business
Mr.. Harrison has not yet been finally
heard from.
Representative Gaiusha A. Grow, OF
Pennsylvania. the oldest member OF the
house, a former speaker OF that body. and
one of the best informed men on parla-
ner,ary precedents in the United States.
said today:
III there are sufficient reasons TO expel
a member from the house, the reasons.
provided they exist when the member ELECT
house In refusing 10 permit him to take
his seat. The house Is under the consti-
tuition. the sole Judge of the qualifications
of it's members
Representative Bailey, of Texas. ar
rived here tonight, and says IL Is perfectly
clear 10 his mind that the swearing in of
Mr. Roberts cannot be legally prevented.
in view OF the fact that he comes TO con-
gress with the proper credentials and with
out contest formally made against him
Former Senator Edmunds. discussing the
constitutional rights of Roberts, in a state
ment to the Herald. said:
THE constitution fixes and describes the
qualifications necessary for member OF
the house Of Representatives. | think the
house has no constitutional rights 10 add
To- others. either aftirmativeIy or negative
~. and therefore | think that Il Mr.. Rob
erts was regularly elected. was OF the
requisite age. resided IN the state Of Utah.
and IS willing to take the oath prescribed
by the constitution. the mouse has no right
10 refuse TO allow him 10 be sworn I'm.
1T IL more dangerous 10 the rights and
liberties of the people for the house 20 set
up standards ~ admission. not prescribed
hy the constitution, than 10 admit 20 be
sworn am lerson whom the people OF a
state choose >, elect. Tha. Go,le tbs con-
siitution has Itself provided for the house
Kidding itself Of any member who, upon
its own conscience IL believes. for any
reason. ought not TO continue therein