Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-12-13
CONGRESS- TODAY.
Out Of His Own Mouth Roberts Convicted
of Polygamy.
THE HOUSE.

!; Washington December 13.-The hous
met at II o'clock. The speaker appoint
ed the committee for the joint commit
tee of the senate and District Of COum
bia in preparing plans for the centen
nial celebration of the establishment o.
the seat of government at Washington
Debate on the currency bill was re-
sumed, Mr.. Bell of Colorado being the
first speaker.
Mr.. Bell opposed the bill, devotine
,much time to argument against Its
banking features.
Mr.. Brundige Dem) of Arkansas, al.
so opposed the bill, as also Mr.. Wheeler
Of Kentucky.
Mr.. Fowler of New Jersey, a member
of the banking and currency committee
in the last congress, said he would vote
for the bill because of the gold declara-
tion in the first fourteen lines, notwith-
standing what followed.
| The house committee investigating
| the case of Roberts of Utah began the
| examination of witnesses to-day. When
| Chairman Taylor asked what witnesses
would be heard Mr.. Roberts asked to BE-
| informed as to his status before th-
committee. Mr.. Taylor responded that
all Mr.. Roberts rights had been fully
protected Mr.. Taylor then asked Mr..
| Schroeder what witnesses he would
| call. Charles Austin Owen was called,
He gave his residence as Salt Lake City.
The witness said the general reputation
| of the status of Roberts and DR.. Maggie
c. Shipp Roberts was that they main
tanned the relation of husband and wife
The witness was cross examined by
Mr.. Roberts, whose questions brought
out that the witness had no personal
knowledge as to Mrs. Maggie Roberts
or Mr.. Roberts, based on talks with
them, but his information was general
and Of common repute.
Mr.. Roberts asked to have all this tes-
timony struck from the record, as the
witness was unable to testify of his own
knowledge. The chairman permitted the
testimony to stand.
Mr.. McEwen, of the Philadelphil
North American, was examined as to
recent interview with Roberts, signed
by him (McEwem. In this Roberts
spoke Of his wives" as good and true
women" toward whom obligations had
been incurred prior to the enactment Of
the polygamy law.
Was not this conversation in refer
ence to general conditions?" asked Mr..
Roberts.
"Oh, no. Mr. Roberts," answered the
/, witness, directly addressing his inter-
rogator. You spoke OF the general con-
ditions, and used your own case to illus
trate."
Rev Dr. Iliff, Methodist minister Of
Utah, testified that the general reputa
ton as to the status Of Celia Dibble
Roberts was that she was the plural
wife of Brigham H. Roberts.
Rev. w. G. Martin, a Presbyterian
minister Of Manti, Utah, testified that
the polygamous status Of Roberts was
matter of common repute. 1t was also
reputed that twins had been born to
Celia Dibble Roberts.
At l o'clock the committee went into
executive session, prior to adjournment
for the day.
Mr.. Taylor stated to Mr.. Roberts that
the latter's demurrer had been over
ruled, and all the questions been taken
into consideration for determination
later.
THE SENATE.
Mr.. Gallinger of New Hampshire pre-
sented bill for the codlfication of pen
sion laws. 1t Is proposed for the COM
mission to consist of jurists and men,
bers of the G. A. r.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Mcmillan
Of Michigan, calling upon the secretary
Of war for information as to how many