The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-01-26
FACED HIS ACCUSERS.
Brigham H. Roberts, the Mormon,
Defends Himself in the House.
A Compromise Proposition May BE
AdoPced Which VIII ExDeI Mr..
Roberts BY a TwO-Thirds Vote
without Seating Him.

Washington. Jan. 24.-It was an ora
tOrical field day in the house over the
case of Brigham II. Roberts. the Nor
mon representative from Utah. The
galleries were packed to suffOcation,
chiefly with women, and the specta-
tors after listening attentively 10 the
arguments of Mr.. Taylor, of Ohio,
and Mr.. Littlefield. of Maine. for the
adoption of the majority and minor
it, reports respectively of the specia,
committee that investigated the case,
remained long after nightfan 10 hear
the impassioned words of the accused
as he faced the house. like an animal
al bay, knowing that every hand was
raised against HIM.
Dir. Roberts was very adroit in the
handling of his case and at times eN-
cccdingly dramatic. Taking advant-
age OF the issue raised by the division
in the committee as TO the method
of Ousting him he appropriated to
himself the argument of the minority
that he was constitutionally entitled
10 bc sworn in and the argument OF
the majority, that once sworn in, he
could not be expelled. He defended
the action of the MormoIs in fighting
the authority of the United States
for years, because, he said, they be-
lieved that sentiment would change,
and dramatically stated that in these
DAYS he had rather have his flesh
hewn from his bones than 10 have re-
nounced his religious tenets.
He concluded with an eloquent per
0ration in which he said he had never
been conscious of shameful act and
If ne was sent forth he would 90 with
head erect and undaunted brow.
Mr.. Lacey. of Iowa. has a PROPOSE
lion which he VIII submit 10 eXpel Mr..
Roberts by q tVO-thirds vote without
reating him. which viii have support
irs, and this may lead 10 a comprom-
ise proposition. Miss Roberts. daugh-
5er of Mr.. Roberts. was in the reserv-
I'd gallery throughout the debate.
Washington. Jan. 2j.-Thc second
DAYS debate in the house upon the
Roberts case was less dramatic than
the first. The galleries were almost
IS crowded, but the ladies were less
demonstrative. The presidents pas
ter. Rev. DIR. Bristol, sat in the eX-
ecutive gallery the greater part Of the
afternoon listening to the arguments.
Mr.. Roberts was not present during
the dav Had ne been. he would have
heard the most scathing eNcoriation
Of the M0rmons ever delivered upon
the floor Of the house. Mr.. Lands, of
Indiana, the young orator who distin-
Cuished himself during the last con-
gress IN an OratOrical duel with Mr..
johnson. of his state. won new lau-
rels. lie charged that Utah had been
admitted TO the union as q result of a
Mormon conspiracy. and reviewed the
history of the apostles of the church.
whom he charged with living in open
and fragrant violation of the statute
against polvgamy. 10 show that they
had bascly broken their solemn
pledge TO the government.
The other speakers were Messrs
Powers (rep-. VT and Miers dem
Ind.). for the majority resolution;
Messrs. Snodgrass dem. Tenn and
Wilson (sil. rep. IdahOD. for the mi
nority resolutions; Mr.. Lacey (rep.
Ia). for his proposition 20 eNpel with
out swearing in. and Mr.. Crumpackel
(rep-. Ind.). for exclusion by a two
thirds majority The speeches great
" strengthened the majority resolu
tions. which seemed in danger of fail
ing after Mr. Littlefield's speech. an'
Chairman Tayler is confident tina
they viii be adopted when the hOus
votes on the subject.