The San Francisco call., 1899-12-14
WITNESSES HEARD
AGAINST ROBERTS
POlygamouS Status of
the Mormon.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The commit
tee Of the House of Representatives which
is investigating the case of Roberts Of
Utah began the examination of witnesses
al 1890 to-day. A large number of spec
tators were present. including many la
dies. Roberts occupied seat at the foot
OF the committee table, while thanking
him was the delegation of Gentiles-Rev
DR.. Iliff. Schroeder and others-here to
direct the attention of Congress TO the
member-elect.
When Chairman Tayler OF Ohio called
the committee To order and asked what
witnesses would be heard Roberts arose
and asked to be informed as TO his status
before the committee. He made a short
statement in lire with his belief, which
has already been published.
Tayler responded that all of Roberts
rights had been fully looked after and
protected and there was no proper ques-
ton which had not been raised.
Tayler then asked Schroeder what wit
nesses he would call
Does his man appear as attorney?''
asked Roberts
Tayler.
Then | wish to introduce the court rec
ord relating to him." said Roberts
Tayler said this had already been passed
on Saturday and Schroeder had been rec
ogniZed.
Charles Austin Owen was then called.
lie gave his residence as Salt Lake CITY.
In response to questions by Schroeder ne
said ne knew the general reputation in
gle c.. Shipp Roberts" The witness sad
that the general reputation of the status
OF Roberts and DIR. Maggie c. Shipp Rop-
erts was that they maintained the rela-
uon OF husband and wine. While he
questions were being put as 10 Mrs Mag
objection
What this lady may have done is i'm
material in the absence OF any showing
erts."
Schroeder said later testimony would
bring out the materiality of the questions
ana Tayler' ruled that the competency of
the questions could be judged by the sub
sequent testimony. The witness was then
cross-examined by Roberts, whose ques-
lions brought out that the witness had
no personal knowledge as TO Mrs. Maggie
ROBERTS or Roberts based on talks with
and of common repute
want 10 know" said Roberts. III the
general reputation you have been testify
ing TO obtains since March 4. 1899"
And what is that reputation"
mat Maggie G. Shipp Roberts is the
plural or .polygamous wife of Brigham H.
"On what acts is this general reputation
based?" inquired Roberts
NJ specinc acts, put generally accepted
reputation, responded Owen.
There was considerable testimony on
court prosecutions throughout the State
on which the witness had information.
have all this testimony struck from the
record, as the witness was unable to tes-
hfy TO his own knowledge The Chairman
permitted the testimony TO stand.
Arthur McEwen of the PHILADELPHIA
North American was examined as TO a
recent rec interview with Roberts, signed by
him lMcEwen). In this Roberts spoke OF
ms wives, referring to them as good
and true women" toward whom obiiga-
lions had been incurred prior TO the en-
ictment tn OF the polygamy law.
was hot tnis conversation in reference
10 general condttions?'' asked Roberts.
''On. no. Mr.. Roberts" answered the
witness, directly addressing his fnterro-
gator. You spoke of general conditions
and used your own case to illustrate
Captain Elias II. Parsons of the Quar-
Department L. s. A., testified
10 an incident occurring in 1896. while he
was was In Salt Lake City. About a m
telephone DR.. Maggie G. Shipp Roberts,
On going 10 the telephone and calling up
the house mans voice answered.
over the telephone.
"B II. Roberts" was the reply.
On cross-examination Roberts asked:
DO you know b. II. Roberts voice?''
II do not"
Did the answer over the telephone say
Brigham ii. Roberts," "
No, simply B. III. Roberts"
Lake City?'
Yes. but 1 would know Bolivar Roberts.
voice at any time and IL was not his
Roberts said he would later ask to have
his testimony stricken out as irrelevant
and not on personal knowledge.
Rev. DR.. lin, a Methodist missionary Of !
ctah, testlhed that the general reputa- !
Ion as to the status Of Celia Dibble Rob |