Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-01-26
56th CONGRESS-.
Roberts Denied Right to a
Seat in the House.
Investigating Committees Majority
Report Adopted, 268 to SO.
Report Of the Minority Lost by a Vote Of
81 10 244

Washington Jan. 25-The case of
Brigham Fl. Roberts, the Mormon rep
rcSentativc elect from Utah, which has
occupied so much of the attention of
the House since the assembling of
Congress, was decided, today, by the
adoption Of Il resolution to exclude
him by vote Of 26S to 50. The exact
language of the resolution was as fol-
lows:
THAT under the facts and circum-
stances Of the case of brigham H. Rob
erts. representative-clec from the
state Of Utah, ought not to have or
hold a seat in the House of Rcpresen-
tatives and that the seat to which he
was elected is hereby declared va
cant"
The amendment to expel Mr.. Rob
erts without seating him. offered by
Mr.. Lacey. was ruled out on i point
of order land the House only voted on
the resolutions Of the majority ana
minority Of the committee. The mi
npritN resolution to seat and then "X-
psl Mr.. Roberts was defeated. II To 24i
An analysis of this vote shows that
no Republicans II Democrats ana TWO
PopuiS,s voted against it ana II Dem
ocrats, six Republicans. two Popu-
lists ana two Silver Republicans for
it, The majority resoluton-to ex-
clude Mr.. Roberts ana declare the seat
Vacant-Was adopted, 26S IL 30 tn"
affirmative vote was divided as fol-
lows: Republicans. 16S: Democrats. 90.
Populists. 4 and the negative Vote:
Democrats A.; Republicans. >, Popu
lists. !.
There were over a score If speakers.
today. and the closing speeches on
each side We're particularly able. Mr.
Lanham Of Texas. closed for the ma
jority ana Mr.. DtArmcnd If Missouri
for the minority.
Mr. Roberts was present throughout
the day and only left the hall after the
result Of the last vote had been an
nounced. As hc did 90 hc gave out
statement justifying his retention Of
his plural wives on the ground that his
moral obligation was more binding up
on his conscience than technical obedi-
cncc t. statutory law and saying that
there was no excuse for the extraOrdi
nary efforts to crush "A system already
abandoned and practically dead. He
would not he said. attempt t. run for
iI-lf'SS ~, AIN, dllI'iitSIl lt W pulu ~
back home with a light heart, conf
dent Of the future.
February 10th. was set aside for
paying tribute t. the memory Of the
late Representative Settle Of ken
lucky.
Sims. Dem. Tenn. was the first
speaker today He made a lengthy
argument in favor Of seating and then
expelling Roberts.
Johnson. Dem. W. Va. advocated
the expulsion of Roberts.
Brcsius. Rep, Penna.. argued that
meta physical and technical considera-
tions should not deter Congress from
doing its duty. In this crisis of the
nations good name and fame such con
siderations should he swept aside and
the will Of the people executed.
Grout. Rep, VT. supported the con
t"ntIon Of the majority for exclusion.
Talhert. DEM S g. said that in a
case Of such abnormal and defiant i'm
morality, t"chnicalitics should not
weigh. Representing the constituency
he did. he said. he should vote against
Roberts first. last and all the time,
Adamson Dem. Ga. said violation
Of the statute against unlawful cohab-
itati)n entitled the offender To member
ship in the pcnitentiary rather than
the House of Representatives.
Roberts came into the hall, while
Adamson was speaking and listened to
the debate from a lounge in the lobby
behind the rail.
Hay. Rep. \. Y. was in favor of
the exclusion of Roberts
.Freer. Rep. Va. also advocated ex-
clusion.
Brick. Rep. Ind. favored expulsion.
Confined on page q.