Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-26

ing the MINORITY Mt44kH&fMU&
Both Efforts Received Close aaa
Respectful and Both
Speakers Were Conmratuiated
and Appiaudcd ~ Their col-
leagues.
Special to the Register.
WASHINGTON. ID. C.. January &
The exciting debate which took place
in the House to-day over the Roberts
case was signalixed among other things
by the maiden speech Of Representative
Freer, who is a member of the commit
tee having the case IN charge.
Mr.. Fresr talked for upwards of
quarter of IN hour. speaking in behalf
of the majority report Of the commit
tee. He was followed throughout By
the members on each side and by the
throngs in the galleries with the closest
attention, and at the close OF his speech
was greeted by a round of applause.
AS a matter of fact the effort of the
West Virginia member OF the commit
tee was from an o~ratorical point CT
view n OF the hits OF the Cay.
The law. Mr.. Freer argued. warrant
ed Roberts exclusion from the House.
For twenty years he had openly and
persistently violated II. Utah had also
broken her contract with the United
States when she was admitted to state
hood, and should be rebuked by the
exclusion OF any polygamous represents
alive whom she might send to WASH
ington.
After paying a tribute to the woman-
hood Of West Virginia, and after touch
ing on the overwhelming sentiment In
the State against Roberts being seated.
Mr.. Freer said:
Public opinion is the highest law.
In the houses. In the homes and In che
hearts Of people there is an over
whelming sentiment against the seat
ing of this man. Il "a everywhefe.
has rolled over this land from the At-
lanttc to the Pacific, and 1t will nevegA
stop until it has one day broken dow
the throne of the sulta1oMn
sun-kissed lies of the eastern ge5s.
Representative Johnston was recc
nized by the Speaker for q five mind )
speech on the Roberts case. He read
from manuscript a carefully prepared
address. He went into the question OF
the constitutional right Of the Honae
to prevent Roberts taking his seat and
in a forcible argument pointed out the
dangerous precedent which was being
set by the too hagty action OF the ma
jority. His line OF reasoning closely
conceded with that OF Judge Dear
mond. who spoke later.
The impression made by Mr.. john
ston's speech was excellent, and he was
congratulated afterwards by the mostg
OF the Democratic leadera
All OF the West Virginia memberal
were in their seats when the Queati0
finally came TO a vote. The three n
publlcans voted first against the mind
ity and afterwards supported the ma
jority report of the committee. while
Mr.. Johnston voted for the minority
report first and upon its failure vutsa
| for the majority report.
Roberts was turned out Today ~
the adoption of a L~esolntion to exclude
him by a vote of 2T8 10 80.
The exact language Of the fesDzar
ton was as follows:
THAT under the facts and elrcum-
stances of the case. Brigham H. Rob-
erts, Representative-eIect from the
State Of Utah. ought not to have or
hold a seat In the House OF Repreaen-
t~atives, and that the seat 70 which he
was elected. Is hereby declared va
can't"
The amendment TO expeE Mr.. Roberts
without seating him. offered ~ Mr.
Lacey was ruled u on q point 81 ord
er and the House only voted upon tho
resolution of the minority IND tbs ma~
jority OF the committee.
The former-to seat and then exp1a
Mr.. Roberts, was defeated 81 "a "a.
An analysis OF this vote sh0wH lAAk
ITO Republicans. ~ DefnotfaU All
two Populists against it and n Dsmo-
Gratis, six Republicans. W PobuIIsIs
and two silver Republicans for II The
majority resolutions 70 exclnAe NJ
Roberts and then declare the seat ~
cant-were adopted, 27s to "a. the -
hrmatiye vote was divided ali ~foiIoppaf
Republicans 1ef; Democrafs d. pppus
! lists 4 and the negative yOEe. Usrn0-
Gratis AZ; Silver Republicans z popax
lists /. There were over 4 score q
speakers to-day aad the closing
speeches on each SIDE were particulars
" able. Mr.. Lanhan. III rexas closed
for the majority. and Mr.. DeArrnonsl
Of Missouri for tho minority
Mr.. Roberts was present thrpughoak
the day and only left the hall after shs
result Of the last vote ssas announced
AS he did % he gave out d states
ment justifying his fetentio1 81 hl4
| plural wives on the grp1cd khAf hls
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