In the House of Representatives in 1900, we have a Polygamist, Republicans, Democrats, Populists and Silver Republicans, so much for a two party system.
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1900.
ROBERTS’ SEAT DECLARED VACANT
By a Vote of 268 to 50 the House Excludes the Polygamist.ROBERTS’ SEAT DECLARED VACANT
By a Vote of 268 to 50 the House Excludes the Polygamist.
The Turned Down Utah Statesman Declares He Is a Martyr to a “Spasm of Prejudice,” and Will Not Run for Congress Again.
WASHINGTON: Jan. 25.— The. case of Brigham H. Roberts, the Mormon Representative-elect from Utah, which has occupied so much of the attention of the House since the assembling of Congress, was decided to-day by the adoption of a resolution to exclude him by a vote of 268 to 50. The exact language of the resolution was as follows:
That, under the facts and circumstances of the case, Brigham H. Roberts, Representative-elect from the State of Utah, ought not to have or hold a seat in the House of Representatives, and that the seat ,to which he was elected is hereby declared vacant.
The amendment to expel Roberts without seating him; offered by Lacy, was ruled out on a point of order, and the House only voted on the resolutions of the majority and minority of the committee. The latter, to seat and then expel Roberts, was defeated, 81 to 244. An analysis of this vote shows that 170 Republicans, 72 Democrats and 2 Populists voted against it, and 71 Democrats, 6 Republicans. 2 Populists and 2 Silver Republicans for it. The majority resolutions, to exclude Roberts and declare the seat vacant, were adopted, 268 to 50. The affirmative vote was divided as follows: Republicans 168, Democrats 96, Populists 4, and the negative vote Democrats 47, Silver Republicans 2, Populist 1. There were over a score of speakers to-day, and the closing speeches on each side were particularly able. Lunham of Texas closed for the majority and De Armond of Missouri for the minority.
In the same edition:
AUSTIN, Tex., Jan. 31.— To-day in the House of the Texas Legislature a resolution was introduced condemning Congress for its action in the Brigham H. Roberts case. The resolution was introduced by Representative Wells and occasioned some debate, hut was finally referred to a committee, to be reported on as soon as possible.
That, under the facts and circumstances of the case, Brigham H. Roberts, Representative-elect from the State of Utah, ought not to have or hold a seat in the House of Representatives, and that the seat, to which he was elected is hereby declared vacant.
The resolution In part says: “While we are opposed to the practice of polygamy, at the same time we commend said Roberts for his manly course in refusing to abandon his plural wives and their children, and it is the opinion of this House that if all the members of Congress who are guilty of violation of the moral code of the character of the charge against said Roberts would vote to seat said Roberts there would not be found a corporal’s guard opposing the same.”