The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-12-15
WORK OF CONGRESS.

of Ohio for the appointment OF O spe.
cial committee to investigate the,
charges against Brigham III. Roberts,
the Mormon representative-elect from
Utah. Previously the house had re:
jecteL n substitute resolution offered
by Mr.. Richardson, the lender of the
minority, to allow Mr.. Roberts to be
sworn in and to send the whole case
to the judiciary committee. This sub
stitute resolution, however, by no
means commanded the full Democrat
ic strength. Only. 81 members voted
for il. OF the 30 who voted against
the Taylor resolution all were Demo-
Gratis except Mr.. Loud Of California,
Rep, and Mr.. Newlnnds of Nevada,
Silveritc. By the terms of the 'resolu-
ton Mr.. Roberts is not only excluded
from all participation in the proceed.
ings of the house until the committee
reports and the house passes upon his
case, but lie is denied a seat in the
hall. Whether this will be interpreted
to deny him admission within the
chamber pending the disposition of his
case is vet to be decided.
The reading of the presidents mes
sage was completely overshadowed by
the dramatic proceedings which re.
suited In the action of the house. The
galleries were thronged with specta.
tors, mostly women, who sat patiently
through the three weary hours that
preceded the debate and then waited
on three hours more until it was con-
cludcd. The most remarkable feature
of the debate was the fact that Mr..
Roberts presentation of his own case,
which lasted almost an hour, became
so impressive that he won the sympa.
thies Of rany in the galleries. and lie
was several times showered with ap-
plause. 1t was apparent he realized
the house vas overwhelmingly against
him, and at times he spoke fiercely
and dcffantly. Mr.. Taylor conducted
the case upon his side. Mr.. Richard
son championed his resolution. Dur
ing the debate Mr.. Grosvcnor of Ohio
rose to Indignantly repel an insinua-
tion of Mr.. Roberts that I've president
had knowingly appointed men guilty
of pclygamy to federal office in Utah.
In the Senate.
Yesterdays session of the senate
lasted two hours and forty minutes,
practically the entire time being con-
sumed in the reading of the presidents
message The reading was largely per-
functory. few senators according it
any attention.
The announcement of the death of
Senator-elect Munro Hayward of Ne.
braska was received by the senate
with sincere regret. Although he was
not officially member of the body lie
was we'll known to many of the sena-
tors and by them was held in high re-
gard. At the conclusion of the read
ing Of the message the senate adopted
resolutions Of regret presented by Sen
ator Thurston of Nebraska, and as a
mark Of respect adjourned immediate
ly.
Washington, Dec. 7.-Nearly 500 bills
and joint resolutions. several, impor-
tant concurrent resolutions and petit
;tions, numbering hundreds. were pre-
scented to the senate yesterday. A ma
jorty Of the bills We're old stagers. A
few were of q national interest and
Importance.
Mr.. Aldrich had the honor Of intro.
ducing the first measure in the senate
1t was the financial bill drawn up by
the senate committee OH finance, of
which Mr.. Aldrich is chairman, and
probably was the most important
measure introduced during the day.
Resolutions were offered providing
for an investigation by the judiciary
committee Of all phases of pnlygamy
recently presented in connection with
what is known as the Roberts case;
expressing the sympathy of. the senate
for the Beers in their war with Great
Britain, and declaring that Senator N.
B. Scott of West Virginia is not en-
titled to seat in the senate.
Mr.. Harris, Pop, Kan, was appoint
ed temporary member of the COM
mittce on privileges and elections. The
appointment is important and signifi-
cant because the committee has under
consideration the Quay, Clark and
Scott contests.
Washington, Dec. 8. - The session
of the house lasted only half an hour
yesterday. Mr.. Overstreet Qnd), in
charge of the finance bill, attempted
to reach an agreement for its consid-
Grafton next week, but MI. Richard
son, on behalf of the minority, rejected
all proposals on the ground that bill
so important as this should go through
the regular channels. The speaker
thereupon appointed a committee on
rules which is to include himself, Mr..
Dalzell Of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Grosyen-
or of Ohio, Mr.. Richardson of Tennes.
see and Mr.. Bailey of Texas. They
will hold meeting to-day and decide
upon rule for the limits of the debate
which undoubtedly will consume the
whole of next week.
Mr. Roberts, the Mormon representa-
tive, despite the adoption of the Tay-
Tor resolution, which in terms deprives
him of his seat during the tendency of
his case in committee, was in the hall
throughout the session and occupied
the scat he selected on Monday.
In the Senate.
Routine proceedings of the senate
yesterday were enlivened by COLO
quoy between Mr.. Chandler Of New
Hampshire and Mr.. Hale of Maine
over a bill introduced by the former to
promote athletic sports at the military
academy at West Point and the naval
academy at Annapolis. Both senators
became fecetiOus and at times sarcas-