The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-24
SO EVIDENTLY THOUGHT WOMEN
WHO LISTENED TO PREsENTA-
TION OF ROBERTS CASE
DRAMATIC SCENES IN HOUSE
UTAH REPRESENTATIVE CHEERED
AND KISSED FROM GALLERIES
BY THE WOMEN
MOST OF THE MEN SILENT

Makes His Maiden Speech in the
Roberts Case, and Scores n Tre-
mendous Hit-Mr. Roberts De-
fense of His Attitude Novel and
Unexpected-House Was Crowded.
WASHINGTON JAN 23-This has been
An oratorical field day in the house over
the case of Brigham Roberts, the Mormon
representative from Utah. The galleries
were packed to suffocation, chiefly with
women, and the spectators, after listening
attentively to the arguments Of Mr.. Tay-
Ter, of Ohio, and Mr.. Littlef1eld of Maine
for the adoption of the majority and mi
nority reports, respectively, of the special
committee that investigated the case, re-
mained 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 in the
handling Of his case, and at times eX-
ceedlngly dramatic Taking advantage of
the issue raised by the division in the
committee, as to the method Of ousting
him, he appropriated to himself the argu-
ment of the minority, that he was consti-
tutionally entitled to be sworn in, and the
argument of the majority, that once
sworn in he could not be expelled He
defended the action of the Mormons in
lighting the authority of the United States
for years because they believed that senti-
ment would change, and dramatically
stated that in those days he would rather
have his flesh hewn from his bones than
to have renounced his religious tenets. He
concluded with an elaborate peroration in
which he said he had never been conscious
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 kissing him at every
opportunity.
The speech made today by Mr.. Little
field, who succeeds the late Mr.. Dingley,
In defense Of the minority proposition to
seat and then expel Mr.. Roberts, was
masterful effort, and stamped 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
Jumped him into the front rank of de-
baters in the house. The speech made a
deep impression. In fact 1t is predicted
by many members that the majority res
olutions for exclusion cannot now carry.
Mr.. Lacey, of Iowa, has a proposition,
which he will submit, to expel Mr.. Rob-
erts by a two-thirds vote without seat
Ing him, which will have supporters, and
this may lead to compromise PROPOSE
ton.
Miss Roberts. daughter of Mr.. Rob
4 ers, was in the reserved gallery through
out the debate today. The debate will
close next Thursday at 4:30
EAGER FOR REPORT.
4 Nearly every member was in his seat
q few minutes later, when Mr.. Tayer
| (O), chairman of the special committee
which investigated the case, arose from
behind a desk stacked high with legal au-
thorities and manuscript and called up
the case. Mr. Tayler is a young man,
Slight and pallid, but with energy and
!, alertness stamped upon every feature Of
III his countenance. He asked that the
N agreement made between the majority
II and minority of the committee for vote
n on the case at 4:S0 p m on Thursday be
" ratified by the house.
N MI Lacey (O) objected, unless it be un-
NJ derstood that substitute resolution
IA which he desired to offer should also be
" considered pending.
"a To this Mr. Tayler objected. He also
IN objected to having Mr.. Lacey's PROPOSE
N ton read, although appealed to by Mr..
II Bailey (Tex) and Mr. Richardson
8 (Tenn). This proposition, as 1t subse-
" quently developed, was for the expulsion
gl of Mr.. Roberts without swearing him in.
al The majority resolution to exclude him
N and the minority resolutions to permit
Nh him to be sworn in and then expelled
HI were laid before the house, and without
HI any agreement to a vote Mr.. Tayler
m CO.. opened In support of the majority
resolution. He spoke clearly and with
great earnestness. When he began Mr..
k Roberts changed his position to one near
u the center aisle on the Democratic side,
NJ where he could hear with more ease.
~ Mr.. Tayler was emphatic In his asser-
Is tion that exclusion was in harmony with
II precedents; expulsion in violation of It,
n He ampliied the grounds for Mr.. Rob-
3N erts exclusion: First, because of his vlo-
Ia Iation of the Edmunds act; second, be-
cause he was living in open, fragrant and
III notorious violation Of the statutes of
II the congress he seeks to enter, and, third,
A because his election was violation of the
n compact by which Utah was admitted
to the Union. Continuing, he said:
A MANY may entertain opinions as to the
wisdom of certain laws and a hope that
these may be erased from the statute
books, but in the very nature of things
they cannot stand for defiance of law
And, as they cannot stand for defiance
of any law, how much more must they
stand as respecters Of and obedient to
4 such laws as have proceeded from the
lG people, at the peoples initiative, and
sustained by the deliberate and intelligent
\ | approval of substantially all the people, -
Mr.. Tayler quoted precedents and law
W and concluded:
= ''Mr. Speaker, do not hesitate to sub
i nit the proposition to the candid judg-
4 ment of this house and before the bar of
III history. 1 am profoundly convinced that
III # is right and that history will so de-
/ clare 1t; the house can no more safely
part with this power than it can part
with any other power it possesses. This
E touches its very vitality. If it loses it,
w II is in certain conceivable instances,
iN absolutely without power. But we are
II told that 1t is a power that may be
N abused. What does the house possess
N3 that 1t has not at some time abused
HN What branch of the government is it
n 4 that, having power, has not at some time
Ap abused it? What man, what body Of
men, clothed with little brief authority,
MI has been free from an unwise abuse Of
M that authority? And shall they, there
fore. be shorn of power?
" ut is a mighty question. 1t is a ques-
4.o- ~ governmental life 1t Is NOT RI he