The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-26

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-The case OF
Brigham H. Roberts. the Mormon repre-
sentative-elect from Utah. which has oc-
cupied SO much of the attention OF the
house since the assembling of congress.
was decided today by the adoption of .
resolution to exclude him by vote OF
26s to go.
The exact language of the resolution was
as follows:
sThat under the facts and circumstances
Of the case, Brigham H. Roberts, repre-
sentative-e.ect from the state of Utah.
ought not to have or hold seat in the
house OF representatives, and that the seat
to which he was elected is hereby declared
vacant"
The amendment to expel Mr.. Roberts
without seating him, offered by Lacey,
was ruled out on a point of order. and the
house only voted on the resolutions Of the
majority and minority committee. The lat
ter-to seat and then expel Mr.. Roberts
was defeated, 81 to 244. An analysis OF this
vote shows that 170 Republicans, 70 Demo-
Gratis and two Populists voted against It
and II Democrats, six Republicans, two
Populists and two Silver Republicans for
It.
The majority resolutions-to exclude Mr..
Roberts and declare the seat vacant-were
adopted, 26a to 50. The Affirmative vote
was divided a. follows: Republicans. 1ss;
Democrats, 96; Popuhsts, 4; and the nega-
tive vote: Democrats, 81; Silver Republi-
cans, Q; Populists, L. ass
Several Able Speeches.
There were over score Of speakers to-
day, and the closing speeches on each side
were particularly able. Mr.. Lanham. OF
Texas, closed for the majority and De
Armond, of Missouri. for the minority.
Roberts Makes q Statement.
MIR. Roberts was present throughout the
day, and left the hall after the result OF
the last vote had been announced. AS he
did SO he gave out statement justifying
his retention of his plural wives on the
ground that his moral obligation was more
binding upon his conscience than techni-
cal obedience to statutory laws and say
ing that there was little excuse for the ex-
traordinary efforts to crush system al
ready abandoned and practically dead. He
said he was a martyr to ''spasm Of pref
udice" He would not. he said. attempt
to run for congress again, although he
would go back home with a light heart.
confident of the future.
Large Crowd I'm the Galleries.
Large crowds filled the galleries of the
house when 1t was called to order at II
o'clock. Some minor business was trans
acted before the debate was resumed.
Large Number of Speeches.
Sims was the first speaker today. He
made legal argument In favor of seat
ing and then expelling Roberts.
johnson advocated the expulsion OF
Roberts.
Brosius argued that metaphysical and
technical considerations should not deter
congress from doing its duty. In the first
crisis of the nations good name and fame
such considerations should be swept aside
and the will of the people executed.
Grout supported, the contention Of the
majority for exclusion.
Taibert said in case OF such abnormal
and defiant immortality technicalities
should not weigh.
Adamson said the violation of statute
against unlawful cohabitation entitled the
offender to membership In the penitentiary
rather than the house Of representatives.
Roberts came into the hall while Adam
son was speaking and listened to the de-
bate from lounge in the lobby behind the
rail-
Ray was in favor of the exclusion OF
Roberts for poIygamy and as an offender
against decency.
Freer also advocated exclusion.
Breck favored expulsion. He did not
want to make martyr OF Roberts, which
would win for him pity or sympathy.
Moody argued that the house had right
to exclude or expel, but 1t was expedient
that Roberts be excluded.
Grosvenor supported the views OF the
majority In favor of exclusion. He paid
high tribute to Littlefield's speech. He
said he had never heard an abler argument
on false grounds.
Morris. member of the special COM
mittee which investigated the Roberts
case and who signed the majority report,
advocated it's adoption in an hours speech.
De Almond Indorses Littleneld.
De Armond closed the debate on behalf
of the minority OF the committee with q
forty minute speech. He seid that Il
mattered little whether he spoke long or
briefly. The argument for the minority
resolutions had been made beyond the
power of any gentleman In or out OF the
house to answer when the gentleman
from Maine. Mr. Littlefield. concluded
his mastery effort on Tuesday. Any
thing he might say would be, In eject, .