The Somerset reporter., 1900-01-25

the President or to the secretary of
State. Mr. Hale made the question the
text of an imprisoned speech, in which
he declared that nne.tenlhs of the
American people sympathized with the
Beers in their gallant struggle for iberty
against one of the greatest powers in
the world. He declared that 1.-THE war
which England is waging is the most
fell blow at human liberty that has been
struck in the century,
The board of naval bureau chiefs have
decided against the use of double tur-
rets for the new battleships. They also
decided to ask permission of Congress
to eliminate from these ships the sheath
ing which is at present feature in the
new construction.
The reports of the special committee
of investigation into the case of Brigham
Il. Roberts of Utah were presented to
tue House, saturday. The majority re-
port signed by hartman Taylor and six
of his associates is voluminous docu-
ment and is accompanied by summary
of the law and facts. 1t gives the de-
tails of the hearings; the ample oppor-
tunities afforded to Mr.. Roberts to pre-
sent his case, his refusal to testify and
the unanimous findings of facts, hereto
fore published
The committee is unit In itself that
Mr. Roberts should not remain a mem
Der of the House; a majority are of the
opinion that he ought not to be permit
ted to become member; minority are
of the opinion that the proper course of
procedure is to permit him to be sworn
in and then expel him by two thirds
vote under the constitutional provision
providing for expulsion.
The majority report concludes as fol-
lows: ''If there is any fact apparent in
this case it is that the constituents of
Mr.. Roberts know all about him before
his election. Can there be room to
doubt the proper action of the Housep
Is it prepared to yield up this salutary
power of exclusion? Will it declare it.
self defenseless and ridiculousp
Nor are those who assert that the
expulsion is the remedy necessarily bar.
red from voting for the resolution de-
claring the seat vacant He must, in
deed, be technical and narrow in his
construction of the constitution who
will not admit that if vote to declare
the seat vacant is sustained by two.
third majority the constitution is sub
stantially complied with Then why
not agree with the committee that a
mere majority can exclude, but he can
reserve the right to make the point of
order that the resolution is not carried
if two thirds do not vote for it,
The minority is signed by Mr.. Little.
field, Rep, of Maine, and Mr.. De.
Almond, Dem, of Missouri. The re-
port concludes as follows: "We believe
hr pah hao
tional rights to be sworn in as a men,
Der, but the facts are such that we
further believe the House, in the exer-
else of its discretion, is not only justi-
fled, but required by proper consdera-
ton involved to expel him promptly
after he becomes member.
I'VE recommend the following as a
substitute for the resolution proposed
by the committee:
"Resolved, That Brigham II. Roberts,
having been duly elected representa-
tive to the 58th Congress from the State
of Utah, with the qualifications requisite
for admission to the House az SUCH is
entitled, as constitutional right, To
take the oath of office prescribed for
members-elect, his status as a polyga-
mist unlawfully cohabiting with plural
wives affording constitutional grounds
for expulsion but not for exclusion from
the House.
"And the public shall hold with us
and swear in Mr.. Roberts as a member,
we shall. as soon as recognition can be
had, offer resolution to expel him as a
polygamist, unlawfully cohabiting with
plural wives
The minority report was written by
Congressman I.ittlefleld.
Representative White of North Caro-
lima, the colored representative in the
House, saturday, introduced a bill ''for
the protection of all citizens of the
United States against mob violence"
etc. 1t provides that all persons shall
be protected from being murdered, tor.
tured or burned TO death by mobs
known as "lynching bees" whether
spontaneous OF premeditated and all
parties participating, aiding or abetting
in such affairs are made guilty of trea.
son against the United States govern
ment and subject 10 prosecution in the
United States courts.
Tuesday in the House the reports on
the Roberts case we're presented and
debated throughout the day. The gal
leries were packed to suffocation, chiefly
with women, and the spectators, after
listening attentively to the arguments
of Mr.. Taylor of Ohio, and Mr.. Little.
field of Maine, for the adoption of the
majority and minority reports, respec-
lively, of the special committee that
investigated the case, remained long
after nightfall to hear the impassioned
words of the accused az he faced the
House like an animal at bay, knowing
that every hand was raised against him.
Mr.. Roberts was very adroit in the
handling of his case and at times ex.
ceedingly dramatic. Taking advantage
of the issue raised by the division in the
committee as to the method of ousting
him he appropriated to himself the
arguments of the minority that he was
entitled to be sworn In and the argu
ments of the majority that once sworn
in he could not be expelled. He de
Tended the action of the Mormons in
fighting the authority of the United
States for years
The speech made today by Mr.. Little
field In defence of the minority propo
sition to seat and then expel Mr. Roberts
was masterful effort and stamped him
as one of the coming men in the House
The speech made deep impression. In
fact 1t Is predicted tonight by many