The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-02-01
WORK OF CONGRESS

Washington. Jan. %. - When the
house met Saturday Mr.. Taylor or
Ohio, chairman OF the special com
mittee to investigate the case OF Rep
resentative-elect B. III. Roberts, pre-.
sented the majority report in favor OF
the exclusion of Mr.. Roberts, and gave
notice that he would call the case up
on Tuesday Sir. Littlefield Of Maine
presented the minority report in favor
Of seating Mr.. Roberts and then cX-
polling him. The minority report was
signed by Mr.. Littlefield, Rep, ard
Mr.. De Almond, Dem. Five thousand
copies of the reports were ordered
printed for general distribution. Mr..
Roberts was in his seat during these
proceedings, but made no effort to ad-
dress the house.
Washington, Jan. 23-Yesterday was
another day Of oratory in the senate,
little business beyond routine being
transacted Mr.. Pritchard of North
Carolina delivered long and carefully
prepared address upon the race ques-
ton In the South, his remarks being
addressed particularly against the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution
Of North Carolina, which, il enacted,
he said, would disfranchise a large
class of voters, both white and black.
He was followed by Mr.. Turner Of
Washington in speech on the Philip
pine question in which he arraigned
the administrators policy as set out
In the presidents message and in the
speech of Mr. Beveridge. Mr.. Turner
was given close attention by his col
leagues.
The House.
The house was In session only forty
minutes yesterday and nothing of pub
lie interest was done except to refer to
the speaker for settlement dispote
between the appropriations and mill
tary affairs committees over the ques-
tion of estimates for the manufacture
Of small arms at Rock Island and
Springfield arsenals. A few District
of Columbia bills Of minor Importance
were passed.
Washington, Jan. 24.-Yesterday was
an oratorical field day in the house over
the case of Brigham Roberts, the Nor
mon representative from Utah. The
galleries were packed to suffocation,
chiefly with women, ana the spectators
after listening attentatively to the ar.
guments of Mr.. Taylor of Ohio and Mr.
Littlefield of Maine, for the adoption
OF the majority and minority reports
respectively of the special committee
that investigated the case. remained
long after nightfall to hear the impas-
stoned words of the accused as he
faced the house, like an animal at bay,
knowing that every hand was raised
m
adroit in the handling of his case, and
at times exceedingly dramatic. TAX
Ing advantage Of the issue raised 10y
the division in the committee as to the
method of ousting him, he appropriated
TO himself the argument of the minor
ity that he was constitutionally entitled
to be sworn In and the argument Of the
majority, that once sworn in he could
not be expelled. He defended the &C.
ton Of the mOrmOns i'm fighting the au-
thority Of the United States for years,
because they believed that sentiment
would change, and dramatically stated
that in those days he would rather
have his flesh hewn from his bones
than to have renowned his religious
tenets. He concluded with an elabor.
ate perOratlon. in which he said he had
"
and If he was sent forth he would 90
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 hOstili.
ty by kissing him at every opportunity.
The speech made by Mr. Littledeld,
who succeeds the late Mr. Dingley, in
of Of hn MI
seat and then eXpel Mr.. Roberts, was
masterful effort and stamped him as
one of the coming men of the house.
The manner in which he tore some of
the arguments of the majority into
shreds jumped him into the front rank
or debaters in the house. The speech
made deep impression. In fact, it is
predicted by many members that the
majority resolutions for exclusion can
not carry.
Mr.. Lacey of Iowa has a proposition
winch he will submit to eXpel MI. Rob.
erts by two-thirds vote without seat.
ing him which will have supporters
and this may lead to n compromise
proposition
Miss Roberts, daughter of Mr.. Rob.
erts, was in the reserved gallery
throughout the debate. The debate
will close Thursday at 4:30
The Senate.
Again yesterday the senate's session
was devoted entirely to speechmaking
Mr.. Turner of Washington concluded
his address upon the Philippine ques.
ton. He was followed by Mr.. Ross of
Vermont with thoughtful and care.
fully prepared speech in which he also
discussed the Philippine question in
connection with the resolutions he had
offered. His presentation of the Gues-
ton was given thoughtful attention by
his colleagues. Mr.. McEnery of Louis.
lana delivered the concluding speech Of
the session on the race question in the