Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-25
DEBATE OPENS
Congressman Tayler, Of Ohio,
Speaks on Roberts Case
Lands SCORES ROBERTS

Snodgrnss Speaks In Favor of Minority
Report-Pettisrcw Bothers Senate
With Another Revolution and
loud Talk In Its support
Washington, Jan. 23.-(By Associat-
ed Press. The galleries were packed
1 for the opening debate in the Roberts
case. Three-fourths of those present
were women. Tayler, chairman of the
special committee which Investigated
the case, rose to open the debate. He
asked that the agreement between the
majority and the minority committee
for a vote at 4:30 p. m. Thursday after
moon, be ratified by the house. Lacey,
Of Iowa, objected unless it be under
stood than a substitute resolution he
desired to offer for the expulsion OF
Roberts without swearing him in, be
Z considered as pending. Tayler object
ed and without any agreement having
+ been reached, proceeded with his ar
gument on behalf of the majority,
which recommends the exclusion Of
E Roberts, while the minority desires to
allow him to be sworn in and then ex-
PEELED.
Jss 1ayler,s Speech,
Washington, Jan. 23.-(By Associat-
al Press.) Chairman Tayler began by
saying: s.Chief Justice Waite, in the
Reynolds case in 1878, speaking of the
claim that polygamy was religious
practice, said: TO permit this would
6e in effect to permit every citizen to
become law unto himself. Govern
ment could exist only in name under
( xuch circumstances Justice Matthews
In the Ramsay case in 1884, declares
in substance that political influence
ought to be withdrawn from those who
are practically hostile to the establish
ment of free, self-governing common
wealth founded on the idea of the
family as consisting in and springing
from the union for life of one man and
one woman in the holy estate of matri-
mony.
IL we are. to attach any Importance
10 those fundamental declarations of
Il the highest court, we must declare, no
matter what moral question may be
Involved, that this case presents in bold
relief, the question of governmental
life, the basis of which is law. Now
and then, we have law which springs
from the united voice of united PEG.
pie, as an expression of civilized force
IL which practically all of them be
4 lieve, and which is necessary to the
existence of that civilizing force. Oh
more than 75,O0O,00O American citizens
all but the merest handful believe and
believe with mighty fervor, in the kind
Of commonwealth which Justice Mat
thews declares is founded on the mar
rage relation existing for life between
one man and one woman. That idea
has been for many years crystallized
ina solemn, deliberate law, whose
principle and form have been approved
BY the highest judicial authority.
Such laws make imperative demand
for universal respect and obedience;
and the duty of such respect and ODE
dience presses most urgently upon the
Representatives of the people in the
laW-making body. If the. claimant to
this seat is eligible, he is eligible be
Cause the constitution so makes him,
either by express language or neces-
sary implication"
3 sTayler declared that in order to
make Roberts eligible he must read
into the constitution, by necessary i'm
plication, these words: 1T is provid.
ed that no person shall be ineligible to
D seat as such a representative who in
form. and substance, in word and act,
inslife and practice, defies the constitu-
ton and laws, and denies their validity
and supremacy"
Littlehsld speaks.
Taylor was vigorously applauded at
& the conclusion. Littlefield, of Maine
then spoke on behalf of the minority
plan OF seating, and then expelling
Roberts. He declared that there was
no division over the question of keep.
ing Roberts out; the only question was
Of doing it In an orderly, regular man
ner. II the laws and constitution were
over-ridden now the way would be
open to override them next year tt
exclude a member because he was an
adulterer or a representative Of trust
Roberts followed Littlefeld with the
y closest interest.
Washington, Jan. "a (By Associated
Press. 1.-The house resumed the debat.
mont argued in behalf OF the exclusion
tOAsAAOAJCIlSs ~ was Uuc uulfCISdl ruiz.
he said, that member should no
be. expelled for an offense committed
prior to election. While it might Is,
argued that polygamy was continu
ing status, the initial act took plac
long before Roberts was elected.
Snodgrass of Tennessee supported
8 the minority report for seating All;
then eSpelling Roberts. Lands Of In
diana argued for exclusion, declarin,
that Utah had broken faith with tn
United States. He said of fifteen apos
ties of the church when the proclama
tion was issued, eleven were open vic
lators Of the law and three had un
dolbtedly taken plural wives since
Lands said he believed, and Robert
had not denied, that he had taken on
Of his wives since Utah was admitted
SeasOnab1e Goods
AT Lowest Figures....