The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-26

- support Oh the majority resolutions.
MT Lanham said that IL there ever had
peen necessity Tor the rational asser-
1lon and vindication OF the supreme pre-
rogative OF the house this occasion was
now upon US. He loved the constitution
OF his country and the institutions OF his
government, hut neither the constitution
requires nor do the people expect the
mouse to do anything ridiculous. The
trainers OF the constitution never con .
lemplated that their work or any part OF
II should lead to any absurdity. We can
never convince the American people. he
said, that to admit Roberts and instantly
cSpel him Is logical and consistent pro-
ceedure The motive that will prompt the
vote either 10 expel or TO exclude Will
be precisely the same--and that Is because
he IL polygamist; II disqualification
mentioned in the constitution is imposed
IN the case, II viii be equally superadded
IN the other
I'VE maintain that the house possesses
the inherent power aside from it's express
ana implied constitutional warrant TO pro-
tect ana uphold itself In its dignity i'm
iegriiy and reputation. The constitution
gives it the right to make its rules, and
the greatest rule of the house is that which
declares that qrestions OF privilege shall
be first, those Affecting the rights Of the
house collectively. It's dignity. safety Snd
integrity or Its proceedings. Aside from
this express authority the house had the
! inherent power 10 Go any act ana make
any rule which might be necessary and
PROPER tor carrying into execution the
power belonging 80 1t by virtue Of ifs
creation lnd existence.
He cited instances which would warrant
the house In standing aside a person bear
inS certificate OF election. Suppose. ="
/ he said. there had been an election for
I territorial delegate held in our alleged sn-
tipodal possessions, the Philippines. and
coming with a certificate OF election issued
by the president or the council or who
ever might have been authorized to sign
the commission the sultan Of Jolo. fresh
from his seraglio, should appear and de-
mand to have the oath administered TO
him as delegate to this congress- II the
facts which have been alleged against
him We're ascertalned TO be true should
h. not be excluded? Under the theory of
the minority OF the committee We might
say; VIII your royal highness be sworn?'
and then kick him out Instantly; under
the theory of the majority we would say to
him az the Threshold; 'Avaunt, and quit
our sight"
He said there WAS no danger Of the Rob
erts case ever being invoked as q pre-
cedent--that It was unique and solitary
In its originality and the case and the
precedent would expire with each other,
He Gad that ;he citizenship qualification
in the constitution was to prevent tue elec-
ton of foreigners and preclude extraneous
influence on the legislation of the new
republic The qualifications mentioned in
the constitutions We're negatively stated
and hence not exclusive; there was a roa-
son for each rule of disqualification and
each was constructed and designed for a
specific purpose, pertinent to particulAr
conditions and surroundings He urged
he ola irpc Of
quoted from Franklin and George Wash
ington to show that the members OF the
constitutional convention respected moral
ity and religion. He said: I'VE are not
here to impose moral or religious tests
We are here to cheerfully accord to the
people OF Utah all the privileges and inn
munities of citizens of a SOVEREIGN State
They may elect whomsoever they will
Mormon or Gentle, but we will not rec
ognize his credentials. nor welcome theft
representative elect If he bn a polygamls
in fact and have more than one living
wife. The people OF Utah must keep theil
covenants with the American people ant
respect the laws and civilization of thu
age"
He said in conclusion: I'm behalf OF
the affairs and iresides of our comlnon
land--the roof trees of American homes
the hottest estate of matrimony and the
sacred and inviolahle associations of the
family circle, with solemn regard for
the constitution OF my country aud the
dignity Of the popular branch OF the leg.
islature, with a decent respect for the
opinions of mankind and the fear OF God
before my eyes, | declare my belief that
! Brigham Fl. Roberts ought not for out
instant of time be admitted to member
ship in this house OF Representatives
The first vote was taken upon the adop
ton Of the minority resolution to seat ant
, then eXpel Mr.. Roberts At the conclM-
slou of the roll call Mr. Tawney (Minu,)
{ the republican whip, announced that or
account of the non partisan character o.
this motion he had made no effort t
t pair the absent republicans Mr.. Under
wood (Dem., Ala.) made a similar an
E nouncement concerning the democratic
absentees.
e The minority resolutions--to seat an(
4, expel Mr.. Roberts-were defeated-S1 e
244
q The following Texas members voted 70
4 the minority resolutions: Balev, Ball
! Burleson, Cooper, De Graffenreid, Slayde
and Stephens.
q The majority resolutions 10 exclude hir
: was then adopted, 26S to so. The announca
ment was greeted with cheers. The Te%a
members who voted for exclusion wer
Burke, Kleberg, Hawley, Henry and Ian
a ham.
RI Rf4,, ,,,e,,, have ,otino st'no" were.