The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-30

rid of Mr. Roberts the polygamist rep
resentative-elect from Utah, is to be
considered at a conference of republic
can leaders to be held Friday in the
room of the committee on interstate
and foreign commerce. This conference
has been called by Representative Hep
burn of Iowa, who has devoted consid-
cradle attention to the case. Among
those who will participate will be Rep
resentatives Payne of New York Dali
zell Of Pennsylvania and Grosvenor and
Taylor of Ohio. Mr.. Taylor was the
chairman of the committee on elections
in the last congress, to which was re-
ferred all the petitions and protests
against the seating of Mr.. Roberts re-
ccived before the adjournment in
March, At the request Of Mr.. Hender-
son he has been making a careful study
Of the case and of presidents. He is
not willing to discuss it in any way,
however, at this stage of the proceed
ings.
Former Speaker Carlisle and Harry
H. Smith, the parliamentary expert,
two of the counsel retained to represent
the opposition to seating Mr.. Roberts,
Will present the result of their obser-
vations as to precedents at Fridays
conference. Mr.. Smith has made a
careful and exhaustive study of all the
presidents since the foundation of the
government. 1t has resulted in his
reaching the conclusion that Mr.. Rob-
erts must be sworn in on his certificate
of election. and that he can only be I'M
seated by a resolution Of expulsion I'M
der the constitutional power of the
house to expel a member by two
thirds vote.
Mr. Smith has found that there are
in all 60 cases on record in which at
tempts have been made to prevent the
10 inc ~ Of tot a. ,t
and that the attempt has failed in
every case in which there was not a
contest between rival claimants of the
seat.
Mr. Carlisle is expected in Washing
ton tomorrow. He will be accompa-
MED by President Strong and Secretary
Tolman of the League for Social Serv-
ice, which is the organization that has
engaged the counsel to represent the
case against Mr. Roberts. Miss Helen
Gould has supplied this league with the
sinews of war, which has enabled it to
employ such an array of high
priced counsel as has been engaged. In
addition to Mr.. Carlisle and Mr.. Smith,
former Senator Edmunds has been re-
tanned, and retainers have been offered
former President Harrison and former
Speaker Reed. Mr.. Reed was forced to
decline owning to the pressure of other
business. Mr. Harrison has not yet
been finally heard from.
Representative Galusha A. Grow OF
Pennsylvania, the oldest member of the
house, former speaker of that body
and one Of the best informed men on
parliamentary presidents in the United
States. said to-day:
IF there are sufficient reasons to ex-
pei member from the house, the same
reasons. provided they exist when the
member elect appears to be sworn in,
would Justify the house in refusing to
permit him to take his seat The house
is, under the constitution, the sole Judge
of the qualifications Of its member
ship
Representative Bailey of Texas ar
rived here tonight, and says it is per-
fectly clear to his mind that the swear
ing in of Mr.. Roberts cannot be legally
prevented. in view of the fact that ne
comes to congress with the proper Gre
dentials and without a contest formally
made against him.