Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1900-01-25
DEBATE ON ROBERTS
CASE IN THE HOUSE
Chairman TayIer, of the |nvesti-
eating Committee, Opens
the Discussion.
GALLERIES PACKED WITH WOMEN
Tayler Argues for Exclusion of the
Mormon Member, in Accord
ance With Majority Re-
port-.Quay Case.

port-'Ouay case.
Washington, Jan. -. The house
galleries We're packed for the opening
OF the debate in the Roberts case.
Thrce-iour,hs of those present We're
women
MIR. Tayler. OF Ohio. chairman of the
special committee which investigated
the case, rose to open the debate He
asked that an agreement between the
majority and minority of the commit
tee for Il vote at 1880 Thursday after
noon be ratified by the house.
MIR. Lacey, of Iowa. objected unless.
it be understood that substitute res
olution he desired TO offer for the eN-
pulsion of Roberts without swearing
him in be considered pending.
MIR. Tayler objected and without
amy agreement having been reached
proceeded With his argument in behalf
of the majority. which recommends
the exclusion of Roberts. while the mi
nority desires to allow him To be
sworn i'm, and then expelled. Chair
man TaNlcr began by saying:
Chief Justice Waite, i'm the Rcy
holds case i'm 1873, speaking of the
claim that polygamy was Il religious
practice. said: To permit this would
be in effect to permit every citizen to
become a law unto himself. Govern
ment could exist only in name under
such circumstances and Justice Mat
thews, i'm the Ramsay case in 1854. de-
clared i'm substance that all political
influence ought to be withdrawn
from those who were practically hos
tile to The establishment of Il free.
governing, commonwealth found
ed ON the idea of the family as consist
ing Inland springing from union for
holy state of marriage.
"lf we are TO attach amy importance
to those fundamental declarations of
matter what moral question may be
involved, that this case presents In
bold relief questions of governmental
life. he basis of which is law.
We have Il law which syringe
from the united voice OF a united
people. as an expression OF ely
ilized force, i'm which practically all
of them believe and which is necessary
10 the existence OF that civilizing
force. OF more than 15.O00,00O Amer
lean citizens all but the mcrest hand
full believe. and believe With I; mighty
fervor. in the kind of commonwealth
which Justice Matthews declares is
founded on the marriage relation eN-
listing for life between one man and
one woman. That idea has been for
many years clystallized in solemn de-
libcrate law. whose principle and form
have been approved by the highest iu-
dical authority.
Such laws make AN imperative de-
mand for universal respect and obcdi-
ence; and tie duty OF such respect and
obedience presses most urgently upon
the representatives of the people in
the Iawmalling body. If The claimant
10 this seat is eligible he is eligible be-
| cause the constitution so makes him,
either by express language or neces-
sary implications
Mr.. Tayler declared that i'm order to
| make Roberts eligible he must read
into the constitution by necessary i'm
plication these words: "provi.ed no
| persons shall be ineligible To seat as
such representative. who, i'm form and
| substance, In word and act. i'm life and
practice, deiics the constitution and
laws and denies their validity and SUI
| premacy.
4 Mr. Tayler was vigorously applaud
ed at the conclusion of his speech
MIR. Lttletielol, of Maine, then spoke
/ in behalf OF the minority plan of seat
ing and then eNpelling Roberts. He
| declared hat there Was no division
over he question of keeping Roberts
out. the only question was TO do ii i'm
an orderly and regular manner. If
the laws and the constitution were
J ovclridden now, the way would he
open to override them next year and
exclude a member lccalsc he Was an
adultcrer o, the representative of i,
| trust. The speaker reviewed the ia
/ NOUS Wilkes case i'm the British house
of commons and declared the ma jor.
itN here were resortins to the Same
| Infamous instrument OF outrage and
oppresson'
MIR. Roberts followed Iittleiield with
the closest interest.
In the Senate.
Senator 'rurley. of Tennessee, from
! the committee on privileges and clec
tions, reported for the majority tina,
Hon. Matthew S. Quay is not en-
titled 10 take Il seat IN this body a:
senator from the state of Pennsyl
va'iia." Senator Turley also called at
teniion 10 the resolution of The min
GRITTY that Quay was entitled to Il seat
Both resolutions were accompanied
by reports for their support.
| Senator l'cttigrew, of South Dakota
offered a resolution calling for the re
port Of General Bates relative to til,
treaty with the sultan of Sulu, ant
whether the sultan and his officia
were under civil service. Ii went over
Senator Catfery presented three res
olutions calling for correspondence
with Great Britain on the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, with Colombia relativ,
to the Panama canal. and with TIL
new Panama Canal company, %
France. Adopted.
Senator Aliens resolution asking in
formation concerning the sale of Til
New York custom house was adopted
Senator Turner. of Washington. con
cluded his speech on the Philippin
question begun yesterday.
REpnRTC lM niIhY ChCE