The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-25
Members Using Their Opportunity
to Play to the Galleries.
IANDIS AROUSED ENTHUSIASM
Wants Roberts Kicked Ont Before
His AdmissiOn-A Weak Sis
ter From Idaho.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-.The house
resimed debate on the Roberts case
today. The galleries were again filled,
the majority Of the spectators being
women. Powers was the first speaker.
He argued In behalf Of the exclusion
Of Roberts. I'VE are not separating
husband from wife" said Powers;
"polygamy has never been legal In
Utah either before or after her admis-
sion into the Union. The moment he
(Roberts) took wife No. the mar
riage was void Roberts knew the law
and cannot now plead the baby act
against law and stern justice"
sno1erass followed PoTers, support
ing the views OF the minority in favor
II seating and then expelling Roberts.
He urged that Roberts must re ac-
corded his prina facla right to seat
before being ousted.
lands, the next speaker, argued
that Utah had violated her compact
with the United States. The people
Of the United States, said he, thought
the admission Of Utah worked death
to the system Of polygamy. Yet thev
were startled to learn in 1898 that
Utah had elected as her sole repre-
sentative in the house a polygamist,
and that he was moving upon Wash
ington with a plurality Of wives and
a multiplicity OF children. Laughter.)
Lands went over the records OF the
apostles Of the Mormon church to show
that most OF them were guilty Of con-
tinued polygamous practice. Some Of
his statements were sensational. He
scored the church fer its illegal faith,
arousing great enthusiasm by his
scathing denunciation. At times he
conydlsed the house with his scare
asm or the fifteen apostles OF the
church when the proclamation was is
sued, he said, eleven were open viola
tors Of the law, and they had un-
douDteily taken plural wives since it
was promulgated.
Lands expressed his pity for the
poor women who ministered to the
rotten and lustful notions Of the
Mormon priesthood. He ridiculed the
proposition to aimit Roberts and then
turn him out 1t would be burlesque
ON law. bad precedent and an out
rage on common sense. In his perora-
tion Lands protested, in the name OF
the motherhood Of the land and of
pititul innocenIs doomed to shame of
inegitimacy, against Roberts admis-
sior. He brought whirlwind of ap-
plause when he sat down. The speech
created a sensation.
Lacey argued in behalf Of his propo-
siuon for the expulsion OF Roberts
without swearing him in.
Wilson, of Idaho challenged some of
the statements made against the Nor
mon people. He said he represented
$4,000 AIormons and in ali that made
good citizenship they were the equal
of any constituency in the country.
He affirmed that the Mormon church
abandoned polygamy as doctrine in
1890 in good faith and he believed they
had lived up to their promises. Upon
his responsibility as a member, he
stated, that polygamy was not being
entered into in Idaho and the church
had recently issued proclamation
against it, which he had read.
He was opposed to polygamy as
much as any member and he repudiat-
ed the statement that the church was
now teaching, advocating or advising
its practice.