The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-24
AT TIMES VERY DRAMATIC
MOST OF THE APPLAUSE CAME
FROM WOMEN.
Kisses ALSO AROSE AMONG THE FAIR
In The Senate the Committee on Privileges and
Elections Reports Matthew S. Quay
Not Entitled to Seat in the
Upper House.


torical field day in the House today. The
opening debate in the Roberts case
brought enormous crowds, and the
crowds remained long after nightfall
to hear the impassioned words Of the
accused as he faced the House, like an
animal at bay, knowing. that every hand
was raised against him. Mr.. Roberts
was very adroit i'll the handling of his
case and at times exceedingly dramatic.
Taking advantage of the issue raised by
the division in the committee as to the
method of oustiug him he appropriated
to himself the argument of the minority
that he was constitutionally entitled to
be sworn in and the argument of the
majority that once sworn i'll. he could
not be expelled. He defended the ac-
ton of the Mormons in fighting the
authority of the United Suites for
years, because he said they believed
that sentiment would change. He con
clhded with an eloquent perorati0n i'll
which he said he had never been con-
scious of shameful act and if he was
sent forth he would go with head erect
and undaunted brow. Strange to say
most of the applause he won was from
women. But while they appeared to
be his only partisans other women
manifested their bitter hostility by hiss
ing him at every opportunity.
The speech for the minority by Mr..
Littlefield. who succeeds the late Mr..
Dingley, was masterful and stamps him
as one of the coming men in the House.
The manner in which he tore some of
the arguments of the majority into shreds
threw him into the front ranks of de-
baters in the House. The speech made
Il deep impression. In fact it is pre-
dicted tonight by many members that
the majority resolutions for exclusion
cannot now carry.
Mr.. Lacey. of Iowa. has q proposition
which he Will submit to expell Mr..
Roberts by two-thirds vote without
seating him which will have supporters.
and this may lead to compromise prop
osition
The debate will close next Thursday
at $3.50 p. III.
THE LAW DEFIED.
Mr.. Tayler declared that the case
presents i'll bold relief Il question of
governmental life. the basis of which is
law. He said that though opinions
might differ as to unwisdOm OF certain
laws the people cannot stand for de-
fiances of law and how much more must
they stand as respeCters of such laws as
have proceeded from the people, at then.
initiative, and sustained by the DELHI
crate approval Of substantially all the
people.
''Of the more than 100000 of
American citizens all but the merest
handful believe and believe with a
mighty fcryor in the kind of common
wealth which Justice Matthews declares
is founded Oh the marriage relation exist
ing for life between one man aud one
woman. That idea has been for many
years crystallZed into solemn and DELHI
crate law, whose principles and form
have been approved by the highest jul
dicial authority. Neither the presence
nor the absence of certain words in the
Constitution can imply a certain mean
ing, if it is impossible that such mean
ing could have been expressed.
ARGUMENT FOR EXCLUSION.
"If we do not exclude this man. we
strike down one of the most vital and
necessary powers that belong to great
legislative body. Let not such Il thing
be done. If it is not We may be sure,
that never again, while the spirit of
civilization dominates this republic, will
any defiant violator of law under color
of religion or any other claim. whether
polygamist or murderer knock for AID
mission at the door of the American
Congress"
Mr.. Tayler was emphatic in his asSpr-
ton that exclusion was i'll harmony with
precedent; expulsion III violation of it.
He amplfied the three grounds for Mr..
Roberts exclusion. first because of his
violation of the Edmunds act; second
because he was living in open. fragrant
and notorious violation of the statutes Of
the Congress he seeks to enter and
third, because his election was viola
ton of the compact by which Utah was
admitted into the Union.
Mr.. I4ittlefeld lMaine) for the mnori-
ty of the committee, was the minority
spokesman. TIE only issue between the
majority and minority was as to wheth-
er he should be expelled or excluded.
LITTLEFIELD'S STRONG SPEECH.
The constitutional qualifications, age,
and inhabitancy, Mr. Littlefield argued
Coulu not De duueu 10. IL Cney could ana
the House now excluded member be-
cause he was guilty of polygamous prac
tees next year it might exclude for adul-
terry or because Il member was an at
torney for Il trust. or octopus. or Cor
any other reason. The right of mem
Der to his seat was a constitutional
right He went back to the consttu-
tional debates and other early history 10
prove tlsat Congress could not add 10
the qualifications of members negatively
stated in the Constitution.
After depicting the conditions that
surrounded the framing of this provision
of the Constitution and quoting Madison,
Hamilton and Jefferson. he asked trium-
phantly who there was who could snat-
ter the crucible of history which sur
rounded it or the declaration of the men