The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-06

ministered to him. He also quoted the late
President James A. Garfield in support of
his contention that where the credentials
presented are in regular form there is no
power in the house to exclude him. Mr.
Richardson read the words of Mr.. Garfield,
which concluded there are no personal OBJ
jections."
Personal objection
But there are personal objections in the
case before the house." interposed Mr.. Tay-
lor, amid laughter and applause.
mot personal objections. to the member
elect" said Mr. Richardson; personal dis
qualifications only are alleged"
Eyes, personal objections" shouted a
member on the republican side, amid an
other outburst.
Mr.. Richardson read from alleged inter-
views with Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania,
Mr.. Steele of Indiana and Mr.. Cannon of
Illinois, in which they were alleged to have
stated that Mr.. Roberts was entitled to
take the oath upon the prima facie evil
dence of his credentials.
Mr.. Dalzell and Mr.. Steele denied the in
terviews. Mr.. Cannon asserted that in his
opinion if charges of ineligfbility were
made, it was competent for the house to
receive them now or hereafter.
< he It's efends II nseif
Mr.. Roberts himself took the floor i'm his
own defense after Mr.. Richardson had con-
cluded. He occupied a conspicuous place
Immediately in front of the clerks desk
Several legal volumes were piled up in
front and a boquet of carnations lay upon
his desk. The most intense interest was
manifest as he arose. Members crowded
about, but were compelled to return to
their seats. Galleries were hushed The
occupants leaned over to listen, eager to
let no word escape.
Mr.. Roberts first sent to the clerks desk
md had tic ott,ro lfvat
then began to speak. His voice was soft
and low, but his enunciation was distinct.
and in the stiffness could be heard to the
fartherest corner of the hail.
AS he got into his argument his voice
grew stronger until on several occasions
1t rang out until the fretted ceiling over
head gave back the echo.
Mr.. Roberts read a paragraph from Nc
Creary on elections containing a general
caution against hasty procedure in election
contests.
''Now, gentlemen" continued Mr.
Roberts, "that is the statement of one
whose book has authority in this country
And If 1t is the rule of the house of repre-
sentatves in cases that arise to the dignity
of contest. how infinitely more should
that rule be observed when only a mere
protest is made against a member who
presents himself to take the oath of office.
IT next proceed to the consideration of
the charges that are supposed to justify
what the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Taylor
himself conceded to be an unusual proceed
ing and which my friends on this side (Mr.
richardson of Tennessee, has demonstrate
ed to be an unprecedented proceeding. The
gentleman from Ohio bases his charges up
on court record that some twelve years
ago in the midst of our conflict in the then
territory of Utah. over the subject of poly
gamy, that I pleaded guilty to charge OF
misdemeanor. That gentleman seems to be
oblivious to the fact that since the date OF
his court record on this subject we have
had two presidential amnesties proclaimed
that have been applied to men DISQUALIFIED
by the Edmunds-Tucker act. I understand
gentlemen who are lawyers admit this fact.
Has No Court Record
1.-THE gentleman from Ohio has no court
record to show that I was ever arraigned
or condemned for any crime whatsoever