The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-02-01


Washington, Especial. 1.-The case OF Brig
ham II. Roberts, the Mormon representative
elect from Utah, which has occupied so much
OF the attention OF the House since the as
semblng of Congress, was decided Thursday
by the adoption " u resolution TO exclude
him by vote OF 27S to so.
The exact language of the resolution was
as follows;
"rhat under the facts and circumstances
OF the case Brigham II. Roberts. representa-
tive-eect from the Stats OF Utah, ought not
to have or hold n seat In the House OF Rep
resentatiyes. and that the seat to which he
was elected Is hereby declared vacant"
The amendment to expe Mr. Roberts with
out seating him. offered by Alr. Lacey. was
ruled out on point Of order, and the House
only voted upon the resolutions of the ma
iorlty and minority OF the committee. The
latter-to seat and then cxpel Mr.. Roberts
were deteated-sl TO 244.
An analysis OF this vote shows that 1GS Re-
publicans, 96 Democrats and four Populists
voted against IT, and II Democrats, six Re-
publicans, two Populists and two silver Re-
publicans forlt. The majority resolutions
to exclude Mr.. Roberts aud declare the seat
vacant--were adopted by 27S to 20. The
Affirmative vote was divided as folio VS.: Re-
publlcans, 16l; Democrats, 9S; Populists, A.
And the negative vote: Democrats, AZ Silver
Republicans, 2; Popullst, l.
Mr.. Roberts went home before the voting
on his fate began, convinced that he wou
be expelled. As late as Ave o'clock Mr.. Rob-
erts believed the Lacey amendment would
be adopted. This amendment would have
expelled him without even the saving grace
OF first admitting him to his sent. as was pro-
~ 10 NJ IA mil
general belief In the House was that the
Lacey amendment would prevail. But
Speaker Henderson was determined that the
report of the majority to exclude Mr.. Rot
erts should prevail.
Mr.. Tayler's reason for insisting that this
resolution should be pressed was his fear
that there was not two-thirds majority In
the House for expulsion. Aud yet every
vote that has ever been taken on this matter
should have convinced him OF his error Mr..
Lacey was not even given n chance to offer
his amendment. Mr.. Henderson ruled 1t out,
and, when several members OF the House
asked for M opportunity to debate the mat
ter, he announced that his mind was clear.
Mr. Laceys appeal from this decision showed
the temper OF the House.
When the question was put to sustain the
ruling of the chair the entire House nrose
like startled covey of birds. All party lines
were wiped out. Democrats, Republicans,
Populists and Free Silver Republicans al!
agreed for once on the proposition to eject
Mr.. Roberts. The voting that followed was
mere form. Only six Republicans voted
for the proposition, and all, with three ex.
ceptions, came from the South. They based
their vote on the plea that the Constitution
made no provision for expelling man ex-
cept for certain specified reasons which
made him eligible, and polygamy was not
among these specified objections. On Mr..
Taylers resolution to exclude Mr.. Roberts,
twenty-five of these Democrats changed
sides, thus indicating that they, too, were
eager to disbar the polygamist.
There Is some speculation as to Mr.. Roberts
next step. After mature thought, he will
| probably decide to accept his fate. He will
find that he can not bring his case before the
courts, as he has threatened.
Bishop Causon and Apostle John Henry
Smith, shining lights of his church. arrived
from Salt Lake, and 1t Is understood that
they have brought him instructions from the
church authorities that the better policy will
be not to irritate the people OF the country
any further on the question OF polygamy.
| lest the State of Utah be made to suffer.
| From the present temper ofthe House, II
| will require but little more of Mr.. Roberts
defiance to arouse sentiment In favor o
resembling Utnh's statehood.