Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-05
Spouse to the hearty cheers. he adj
dressed the House

IN point OF service, Mr.. Harmer, OF
Pennsylvania, administered the oath
to the Speaker. The Speaker then an
nounced that the oath would be admin
istered to the members by States. AS
| the names of the members were called
they appeared at the bar in groups of
about a dozen and then with raised
hands were sworn in by the Speaker.
The moment for which all present
were anxiously waiting came when the
State of Utah and Mr.. Roberts's name
was called. Instantly hush fell upon
the assembly. Mr.. Taylor, of Ohio,
was on his feet asking for recognition.
The Speaker recognized him immed-
lately.
II object to the swearing in Of the
epresentative-elect from Utah and 10
his taking his seat" began Mr.. Taylor
in a clear, distinct voice.
81 do so, Mr.. Speaker" he continued,
ION my own responsibility as a member
of this House and because specific, ser
ious and apparently well grounded
charges Of ineligibilty are made against
him. A transcript Of the proceedings
of court in Utah evidences the fact
that the claimant was in 1889 convict
ed or that he pleaded guilty Of the
crime OF unlawful cohabitation. AfIi-
davits and other papers in my poses
sion indicate that ever since then he
has been persistently guilty Of the
same crime and that ever since then he
has been and is now a polygamist II
this transcript and these afidavits and
papers tell the truth, the mem'ber-elect
from Utah is, in my judgment, inelig-
ible to be a member of this House Of
Representatives, both OF the statutory
disqualification OF the Edmunds law
and for higher and graver and quite
as sound reasons. ought also to say,
in addition to what l have just said
that have in my possession certified
copy OF the entry under which the
tAoAhicAL w tuAo SCdl MdS AOI udtuI dl4A-
ed and that eminent counsel assert
that If this be a record IN the case, this
claimant is not citizen Of the United
States. / offer and express no opinion
upon that proposition.
''Mr. Speaker, If it were possible to
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
ials, small part of which could be
physically cared for in this hall. but
all Of which I now present to the
House, from over 1000 900 American
men and women protesting against the
entrance Of this representatlye-elect
from Utah"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Taylor's
remarks, Mr.. McRae, (Dem., Ark.),
briefly expressed his concurrence in the
protest Of Mr.. Taylor. If the charges
hanging over the head Of the represen-
tative-elect from Utah were true, he
said, his being sworn in would be an
assault upon every American home. II
true, Mr.. Roberts was guilty Of a VIC
lation Of the laws of the United States
and Of Utah and the charges should be
investigated. If they were proven true,
he said emphatically, in conclusion,
there should not be a vore In the House
in favor of allowing him a seat in this
body. Meantime Mr.. Roberts had adj
yanced to the head of the aisle and
stood there irresolutely. I'm view OF
the objection" said the Speaker adj
dressing him. "the gentlemen will step
aside"
Il do So" replied Mr. Roberts, with
the understanding that by my action I
waive none Of my rights"
None of the gentleman's rights win
be lost" said the Speaker. and Mr..
Roberts thereupon retired quietly to his
seat.
There was no demonstration either
on the floor or in the galleries.
The remaining members were then
sworn in after which Mr.. Taylor inn
mediately offered his resolution to re-
fer the case of Mr.. Roberts 10 a spec
ial committee. The resolution was as
follows:
Whereas. Il Is charged that Brigham n.
FssSoeFts Representa- tive-eieet TO the
Fifty-siIth C0ryress from the State on
Itan IS incl CHILE 70 a seat Fl the House
o. Representa- tives, ard
Whereas. Such charge Is made +hrrar7ts
member o. the House on hts responsible
,ty as such member and on Tire basis Al
ne asserts. 81 pUbiic records. afadavfts and
papers eviGeEcirg such ineiigibllHy:
Resolved That the ques Ion Of the prsna
fae1e right Of Brigham II Roberts 10 b
10 a special committee Of rsfne Yne-rts<rs
o. tnH House 70 be appointed by fne
speaker and until such committee shall
report upon ard The House decide such
question and right, the sad Brigham II.
Roberts shall rot be sworn Il or be per-
Ritted 10 occupy a seat IN this House:
and said COMMITTEES shall have power 10
send for persons ard 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 resolu-
ton should be postponed until to-
morrow after the reading OF the Pres
ident's message. The excitement
thereupon quickly subsidized and many
Of the spectators left the galleries.