Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-06

| CndnQler introduced JpDlllS applying
customs and internal revenue laws OF
the UniIe,I States to Porto Rico anc
Cuba.
House Not in Session.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The house was
not in session today.
INHERITANCE TAX. CASES.
| Arguments Begun In United States
Supreme Courtnt Washington.
| Washington, Dec. 6.-Argument was
begun yesterday in the United States
supreme court in the cases involving the
cOnstitutionality of the provision in the
war revenue act for the taxation of in
heritances. There are five of the cases
as follows: High VS.. Coyne, collector OF
internal revenue at Chicago Knowl-
tons executors VS.. Moore, collector at
Brooklyn; the Fidelity Insurance, Trust
and Safe Deposit Company VS.. McClain
collector at Philadelphia; Murdoch. ex-
ecutor, VS.. Ward, collector at New York
city; Sherman VS.. the United States,
from Albany, N. Y.
by agreement the hearing is to con-
sumo eight hours, of which time the
government is to take only two hours
EX- Speaker Reed is counsel in two of
the cases, and it was expected that he
would be heard, but he contented him
self with filing brief in opposition to
the law. The appellants attack the law
on the ground that 1t provides for a di-
Irect tax which is not apportioned
among the states according to popula
ton, as required by the constitution,
and that even if not direct tax it is
unconstitutional because it is not uni
form in it's operation.
Roberts still an Issue.
Washington, Dec. s.-Mormon Rob
erts is Still an issue before the house
and his case may drag along for some
time. The Utah performer was on
hand at the opening and was decided
quantity through the afternoon. though
| in quiet way. His demeanor lacks
brazenness and during the day mem
bers went out of their way to express
their personal sympathy for him, while
telling him frankly that they would
have to vote against him as broad
moral proposition, and as a warning
to the supporters and indorsers Of an
evil system to keep away from in front
OF the stage if they wished to avoid
trouble in the future. Roberts regards
himself as a victim of religious perse-
cution and declares that he is exalted
instead of Inundated by the crusade
against him.
Some of Roberts democratic allies
conceived the scheme of attaching a
rider" in the Taylor resolution in the
shape of a provision to extend the scope
of the investigation to include federal
officials in Utah who might also be
polygamists situated as Roberts is. The
instigators of this move claim that a
dozen or fifteen federal officials in the
STATE are polygamists. The leaders in
the anti-Roberts crusade We're given
quiet notice of the proposed diversion,
but We're not alarmed.
While the presidents message was
being read Roberts was askedFif he had
prepared a speech or statement to pre-
sent when his case wRs reported. To
this he replied that he never prepared
his speeches in advance preferring to
tax on the inspiration of the moment,
as his spirit and judgment should die
tate. He is therefore an extemporane-
Gus speaker. unalloyed.
The Gavel Presented.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The Iowa gavel
for Speaker Henderson has arrived and
was delivered to Congressman Hull at
the capitol in the room of the commit
tee on military affairs, of which COM
mittee Capt. Hull is chairman. The
beautiful and expensive gavel was ac-
companied by one for daily use, which
was labelled Rough and Ready and
this one Speaker Henderson will use
some of the time while presiding over
the house. The gilded and bejeweled
gavel, however. will only be used on
occasions, after its formal presenta-
tion. Not only the Iowa men, but many
members of the house, called at the
committee room to see the thing OF
beauty until the hour of noon. Then,
the house having assembled, the gavel
was placed in the safety vault in the
Office of the sergeant-at-arms, where it
remained until o'clock in the evening
Meantime. the Iowa congressman had
conference, and it was decided that
Congressman Dolliver, who is the old
est member of the house in continuous
service, excepting Henderson himself,
should have the honor of presenting the
gavel to Speaker Henderson The Iowa
statesmen debated long whether or not
they better await the arrival of Cover
nor Shaw to make the presentation.
They finally concluded that, While all
of the Iowa members are here, it would
be better to make the presentation now,
rather than to risk the absence of even
one of them in future. In pursuance of
this agreement, as soon as the republi-
can caucus was called to order in the
evening for the consideration of the
financial bill, Congressman Dolliver re-
ceived recognition and, in behalf of the
whole state of Iowa, presented the gaveI
in a. very felicitous speech.
Col. Henderson feelingly responded.
His remarks We're applauded again and
again. The speaker was much All a
by this testimonial of esteem and its
presentation in the presence of his coll
leagues from all OF the states of the re-
public.
The Chicago Merchandise Company,
large department store at Philadel-
phia. has filed petition in bankruptcy.