The record-union., 1899-12-14
Taking Of Testimony Begun Before
the House Committee.
Several Witnesses Against Accused EI-
amined at Yesterdays Hearing.
Chairman Tayler Announces In the
Course of the Proceedings That
Roberts Demurrer Had Been
Overru1ed, All the Questions
Being Taken Into Consideration
for Determination Later

&SSAOAA
for Dissemination Later.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The COM
mittee of the House of Representatives
which is investigating the case of ROD
erts of Utah began the examination OF
witnesses at 1880 to-day A large num-
Der of spectators were present, includ-
ing many ladies' Roberts occupied a
seat at the foot of the committee table.
while thanking him was the delegation
of Gentiles, Rev. DR.. Tiff, Mr.. Schroede:
and others, here to direct the attention
of Congress to the member elect.
When Chairman Tayler 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 line with
his brief, which has already been pub
lished.
Tayler responded that all of Roberts
protected. and there was no proper
question which had not been raised.
Tayler then asked Schroeder what
witnesses he would CALL
Does this man appear as attorney"
asked Roberts.
He will examine witnesses" ex-
planned Tayler.
Then 1 wish to introduce the court
record relating to him. said Roberts.
Tayler said this had already been
passed on Saturday, and Schroeder had
been recognized.
Charles Austin Owen was then called.
He gave his residence as Salt Lake
City. In response to questions py
Schroeder, he said he knew the general
reputation in Salt Lake City of the
status of DE. Maggie C. Ship Rob-
erts''
The witness said that the general
reputation of the status of Roberts and
DR.. Maggie C. Shipp Roberts was that
they maintained the relation of hus-
band and wife, While the questions
were being put as to Mrs. Maggie Rob-
erts, Roberts interrupted with the op-
lection.
What this lady may have done is
immaterial in the absence of any show
ing that it was at the direction of B.
H. Roberts,
Schroeder said later testimony would
bring out the materially of the ques-
lions. and Tayler ruled that the COM
potency of the questions could be judged
by the subsequent testimony.
The witness was then cross-examined
by 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.
II want to know" said Roberts, Il
the general reputation you have been
testifying to obtains since March 4,
1892
ct does"
"And what is that reputation"
THAT Maggie c. Shipp Roberts is the
plural or polygamous wife of Brigham
H. Roberts
ION what acts is this general reputa-
ton based?'
mo specific acts, but the generally
accepted reputation responded Owen.
There was also conside- able testimony
on court prosecutions throughout the
State on which the witness had infor-
nation. AS his evidence closed, Rob-
erts asked to have all this testimony
struck from the record, as the witness
was unable to testimony to his own
knowledge.
The Chairman permitted the testi-
mony to stand.
Mr. McEwen Of the Philadelphia
North American was examined as to
a recent interview with Roberts, signed
by him (McEwen). In this Roberts
spoke of his wives" referring to them
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 Rob-
ertS.
"Oh. no. Mr.. Roberts" answered the
witness, directly addressing his inter-
rogator You spoke of general condi-
tons. and used your own case to illus
trate.'
Captain Elias H. Parsons of the
Ouartermaster's Department, U. s. A.,
testified to an incident occurring in
1896. while he was in Salt Lake City.
About 8 a. m. some one asked him to
call up on his telephone DR.. Maggie c.
Shipp Roberts On. going to the tele-
phone and calling up the house,
mans voice answered
"Who is this?'' Captain Parsons
asked over the telephone.
"B. H. Roberts, was the reply" Cap
tain Parsons testified.
On cross examination, Roberts asked:
do you know b. H. Roberts voice?"
At do not.
did the answer over the telephone
say Brigham H. Roberts?'
mo, simply B. H. Roberts,
"Is there not Boliver Roberts in
Salt Lake City,"
Eyes; but / would know Boliver Rob-
erts' voice any time, and it was not
his"
Roberts said he would later ask to
have this testimony stricken out as ir-
revelent, and not on personal knowl-
edge.
Rev Dr. Tiff, Methodist missionary
Of Utah, testified that the general rep,
utation as to the status of Celia Dbl
BILE Roberts was that she was the plural
wife of Brigham H. Roberts.
On cross-examination Roberts sought
to show that DR.. Tiff was hostile to the
Mormons, the witness stating that his