The San Francisco call., 1899-11-27
OPPOSITION TO
ROBERTS STRONG
Little Chance of His
Taking His Seat.
iaILL MAKE A VIGOROUS FIGHT
MANY FRIENDS RALLY TO HIS
ASSISTANCE.
Opponents Will Do All In Their
Power to Prevent Him Even
Taking the Oath of
Office.
isILL MAKE A VIGOROUS FIGHT
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CALL HEADQUARTERS, WELLING-
TON HOTEL. WASHINGTON. Nov. 20
outraged public sentiment will turn Brig
nam II. Roberts, self-confessed polyga-
mist Representative-elect from Utah, out
OF the House OF Representatives.
1t is in vain that Mr. Roberts raises
legal technicalities and tries to show that
ne has In no way violated the strict letter
OF the compact which was entered into be-
tween the United States and Utah when
the State was admitted. The moral SEN
tment OF the whole people has risen in
revolt. and Mr.. Roberts and his legal
technicalities will be ruthlessly brushed
aside. Even many OF those Representa-
tives who are inclined 20 the belief that
Mr.. Roberts has kept within the strict let
ter OF the agreement as to polygamy will
not resist the pressure that is being
brought to bear upon them by their con-
sutuents. Though comparatively few Of
the epresentatives-elect have yet ar
rived in Washington, the expressions Of
those who are here make ii very apparent
that there will be a large majority OF the
members of the House opposed to allow
ing Mr.. Roberts to sit among them.
Interviews with those who have arrived
lead irresistibly 10 the conclusion that
either Mr.. Roberts will not be allowed to
take his seat at all. or that he will be ex-
PEELED from II after the House has had
the report OF the committee and has
erts will not be without some supporters
on the floor. The technical defense which
he sets up meets the approval OF some
OF the members, and he will not be with
out champions able and ready to make a
strong fight in his behalf.
Proceedings over his case bid fair to
overshadow In interest the proposed flnan-
cial legislation, questions relating TO the
newly acquired territory OF the United
States and every other matter that will
come before the House at the beginning
fhac ~Aot 81, -
these proceedings will be no one at pres
ent knows. Whether or not Mr.. Roberts
Will be prevented from taking his seat
at all when other members OF the House
are sworn in will depend very largely
upon the action of Mr.. Henderson as
Speaker. Mr.. Henderson has not yet init
mated what course he will pursue. The
House has from time to time refused TO
allow men TO be sworn in when there were
conflicting credentials. but there has
never been case in which there was a
refusal TO administer the oath to a man
who presented his certificate OF election
in due form and absolutely uncontested
by rival applicant for the seat.
There will be conferences between the
opponents OF Mr.. Roberts during the
present week. and an agreement will be
reached before the House meets on Mon
II is decided that the House has a right
TO refuse 20 allow Mr.. Roberts TO take
the oath until his title TO his seat has
been investigated. the procedure will be
mittee-either a committee on elections
or a judiciary committee. and there will
be nothing more for the House TO do until
Il Is called upon 10 act upon the -eport Of
that committee. Should the committee
report unfavorably on seating Mr.. Rob-
erts. it's report could be adopted by a
simple majority vote.
If. one the other hand. II should be de-
cided that Mr.. Roberts must be allowed
TO take his seat. resolution of expulsion
will be Immediately introduced. This
would go probably TO the judiciary Com
mittee for report on legal questions in
volved, and its final adoption by the
House would require a two-thirds vote.