Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-11
TO MEET AGAIN TOMORROW
Afhdavits Regarding Roberts Deposited
With the Committee.
POlygamOus Practices of the Accused
-Investfxation of Federal
AppOintees.

The special committee on the Roberts
case will meet tomorrow at 10 o'clock and
take up for consideration again the subject
of Mr.. Roberts right to seat in the
House. The committee has number of
affidavits of citizens of Utah respecting Mr.
Roberts polygamous life.
One of these afidavits is by ex-Judge
Brandon, who says:
POlyEamOus Relations.
That Brigham H. Roberts, in the third
judicial district court of the territory of
Utah, did, on April 20, 1889, enter plea of
guilty to charge of unlawful cohabitation
with one Celia Dibble, sometimes called
Celia Dibble Roberts, he then having
Louisa Smith Roberts his lawful wife.
"Affant further AYERS that his oppor
tunities for knowing the habit and repute
of the relationship of said Brigham H Rob-
erts arise from the fact that he lives in the
immediate neighborhood of the homes of
said Louisa Smith Roberts and Celia Dib
BILE Roberts, and that the formers father,
the late President William B. Smith, is the
deponent's brother-in-law.
That Celia Dibble has been recognized
in the community as the plural wife of
Brigham H. Roberts before the said Brig
ham H. Roberts pleaded guilty of unlaw-
ful cohabitation with her in 1889.
That after the said Brigham H. Roberts
was released from the penitentiary, Celia
Dibble left her fathers home in the neigh
boring village of Layton, and came to Cen
treville. where she was visited often and
openly by Brigham H. Roberts.
These visits were specially called to
this atlantis attention during the time that
said Brigham H. Roberts was sitting as
member of the constitution convention of
Utah, in 1895. about which time child
was born to Celia Dibble, sometimes called
Celia Dfbble Roberts
That 1t is matter Of common repute in
the neighborhood and among the mem
bers of the family of Louisa Smith Roberts
and Celia Dibble Roberts and their rela-
tives that Brigham H. Roberts is the father
of six children of Louisa Smith Roberts and
five living children of Celia Dibble Rob-
erts.
That on August II, 1897, Celia Dibble
Roberts became the mother of twins. That
these twins are, by common repute, in the
neighborhood and in the family and with
the relatives of Celia Dibble Roberts,
Louisa Smith Roberts and Brigham H.
Roberts, the children of the said Brigham
H. Roberts.
That during the past eighteen months
Brigham H. Roberts has frequently visited
and associated with both Louisa Smith
Roberts and Celia Dibble Roberts in the
habit and repute of marriage, and that
depOnent personally knows that said Brig
ham H Roberts has during this period
visited both said women, and that he IS
acknowledged by the children of both
their father"
investigation of AppOintees.
Representative Lentz of Ohio has pre-
pared the following resolution to be intro
duced in the House:
Whereas it is charged and generally
beeilved that John c. Graham, postmaster
at Provo City, Utah, a presidential ap-
pointee. is ineligible to hold federal office,
for the same reason that 1t is alleged Brig
ham Fl. Roberts is ineligible to seat in
the House of Representatives; and
Whereas it is charged and generally be-
lieved that Orson Smith, postmaster at
Logan, Utah, g. presidential appoIntee, is
ineligible to hold federal office for the
same reason that 1t is alleged Brigham II.
Roberts Is ineligible to seat in the House
OF Representatives,
Resolved. That said committee of nine
members heretofore appointed to inquire
Into the alleged polygamy of said Brigham
H. Roberts shall have power and be directed
TO send for persons and papers and examine
witnesses on oath in relation to said federal
appointees, John c. Graham and Orson
Smith, and that after said examination said
committee shall report TO this House of
Representatives whether it is true, fire.
quently alleged. that said John c. Graham
and Orscn Smith, presidential postmasters,
respectively. at Provo City, Utah. and Lo
gan, Utah are now and for some months
have been under Indictment as polygamists.
and whether il is true that at the time of
their appointment, more than two years
ious pOlygamtsts, and whether or not at
the time Of their appointment or prior
thereto afidavits and papers evidencing
such polygamy or both or either of them
were on file"
VIII Go to Utah.
A member of the committee stated that
there was little doubt subcommittee, and