Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-12-17
HIM EXPELLED
Petitions to Congress from Forty
States Against Senator Smoot.
WHAT CONGRESS- DID YESTERDAY.
The House Adopteds Resolution 10 Investi-
gate Judge swavne. Of Fiorida-The
Pension Appropriation Bill APP
proved ~ Committee.

Washington, Dec. 11.-Chairmau
Burrows, Of the senate committee on
privileges and elections, has called O
meeting Of the committee for to-mor-
row to consider whether any action
shall be taken on the protests and pc
titions for the expulsion Of Senator
Reed Smoot, of Utah. There Is an i'm
mense mass Of petitions, coming from
40 different states.
Congressional callers at the white
house are manifesting increasing in
terest in the case involving the seat
Of Senator Smoot, Of Utah, and the in
dications now are that the contest,
which, 1t Is asserted, is certain to result
In the present agitation, will rival in
Importance and In earnestness the case
of Brigham H. Roberts before the
house Of representatives q few years
ago. While the president is familiar
with the developments thus far in the
Smoot case, no effort is being made
by either side to draw him into the
controversy, the realization being gen.
eral that 1t involves question which
the senate must determine for itself.
That thorough Investigation Of the
subject will be made by the senate COM
mittee on privileges and elections now
appears to be beyond doubt. BY those
who are pressing the investigation It |
10 said 1t will be more comprehensive |
and searching than any similar in
quiry ever has been. An effort will be
made to ascertain accurately the atti-
tude Of the Mormon church toward the
government of the United States, and
to learn whether or not a member Of
that organization is bound by any
pledge or oath, the taking Of which
Is Incompatible with his oath as SEN
ator Of the United States.
Proceedings In Congress Yesterday.
Washington, Dec. 11.-When the
senate met yesterday a number Of bills
we're introduced and reports presented.
Senator Hoar gave notice that as soon
IS practicable after the disposition Of
he Cuban bill he would call up his
introduced Wednesday re-
luesting information from the presi-
lent concerning the condition under
which the independence of Panama
vas recognized. The Cuban bill was
hen laid before the senate, but as no
me appeared ready to speak on 1t Sem
tor Hale moved an adjournment and
he motion prevailed.
The house yesterday adopted reso-
ution directing the judiciary commit
ee to inquire into the official conduct
{ Charles Swayne, Judge Of the United
'tates district court for the northern
istrict of Florida, and to report
vhether the action Of the house is re-
uisite." Mr.. Lamar, Of Florida, Of
cred the resolution, announcing that
Q desired to impeach Judge Swayne.
lively debate was had before the
esolution was adopted.
Mr.. Bell, of California, introduced
Ill to prevent the adulteration or mis-
randing of domestic or foreign wines
nd the manufacture Of impure wine
! this country. The bill is drawn so
lat retail dealers can be held for its
lolation as well az manufacturers.
The Pension Appropriation Bill.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE house
,mmittee on appropriations author 3
ed favorable report on the pension !
bill. It carries total
! $13s, $50, 100, which is $500 less than y
10 estimate submitted. The bill car
60 $1,697, 500 less than was appropri- .
ed for pensions last year. .