Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-12-14
Number S5,
WIVES MAY Be WITNESSES
The Roberts Case to Cause a
Hard Fight.
ACCUSED MAKES DENIAL.
The Representative-Elect From Utah
Says He Has Not Lived Polyga-
nous Life-He Openly Denounces
One of His Accusers-Women Are
Likely to be Subpoenaed.

One of His Accusers-Women Are
Likely to be Subpoenaed.
Washington. Dec. 12.-The House In
vestigating Committee has heard Rep
resentative- Roberts deny for the
first time that he had been a polyg-
amist since 1890, lin violation of law"
He admitted a court charge against
him in 1889 The investigation has TAX
en- such turn that it may be neces
sary to send to Utah for witnesses CT
else compel the committee to go to that
State for evidence. In this connection,
it is pointed out that the second and
third wives may be subpoenaed.
The last session of the committee
was open, as will be remaining ones.
Mr.. Roberts said that his statement
was made for the purpose of joining is
sues, and he expected ruling on his
demurrer and time to present authori-
ties This caused a halt in the com
mittee work.
When the proceedings opened Mr..
Roberts was asked If he conceded the
existence of the court record wherein
he pleaded guilty in 1890 under the Ed
mundeS-Tu law. This he conced-
ed He was next asked whether about
1887 or since 1890 he had married plu
raj wives and had lived with them
since that time as wives. TO the whole
of this charge Roberts pleaded not
guilty, and then demurred to the juris
diction of the committee for the fol-
lowing reasons:
First-On the ground of violation of
constitutional rights, in that it at
tempted to try him for crime without
presentment of indictment by Grand
Jury and without trial before a jury
and due process Of law
Second-That it was an attempt to
deprive him of vested property that
he held in the emoluments of an Of
flee for the full term.
Third-That the only evidence that
could be considered in the committc"
was a court record establishing the
guilt, confessed or proven, of the Rep
resentative-elect and that the commit
tee has no right to consi6.. any oth4i.
evidence.
Fourth-That the crime ALLEGED,
namely, that of unlawful cohabitation.
even if proven would not constitute a
sufficient crime to bar a member or
deprive him of his seat, because in
nocence of polygamy or unlawful CO.
habitation is nowhere enumerated in
the Constitution as qualification for
the office of Member of Congress, nor
is it named in any United States law
applicable to Utah or any other State.
Mr.. Roberts argued these points for
nearly two hours. 1t was legal con-
troversy throughout. Mr.. Roberts ask
ed that his prima facie right to a seat
be considered at once.
The first of the public hearings be
gan at o'clock. The committee room
was crowded. Chairman Taylor an
nounced that persons who had par
ticipated in framing the charges We're
present, and he asked that they re
heard.
A. T. Schroeder one of the Gentle
delegation from Utah. was about to
testify when Mr.. Roberts protested. Il
object" he said. Il object to this wit
ness if he comes here as an attorney.
l object to him If he comes as wit
ness on the ground that he is unworthy
of confidence. I propose to establish
by the records of the Supreme Court of
Utah that he is utterly unworthy of be.
lief
Mr.. Tayler saids that Mr.. Schroeder
was not present as witness or as
counsel, but merely to give the cont
mittee such information as he could.
Mr.. Roberts did not press his objection
further, and Mr.. Schroeder proceeded.
Mr.. Schroeder said it could be estab-
lished that Mr. Roberts had maintain
ed, and is maintaining, the status of
polygamist; that in 1889 he pleaded
guilty of unlawful cohabitation. and
has since that time continued in that
relation.
Mr.. Tayler said, after an executive
session. that the committee was con-
sidering whether it should go to Utah
or have the witnesses come here
1T is understood that the opposition
to Roberts has suggested that the
wives be summoned as witnesses The
first wife would be exempt from test-
flying against her husband, as she has
a legal status as wife.