The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1899-12-09
BEFORE TIE COMMITTED
Roberts Appears and Presents His
Side of the Case.
Denies the Charge as "a Whole That
lie Is Guilty of PoIyrnmy-A Reply
10 the Statement Issued by the
Itab DeIegation-Ciuims Protection
Under the Federal Constitution.

10 the Statement Issued by the
Under the Federal Constitution.
Commenting on the statements given TO
the press by the committee which came
here TO oppose his right 10 a seat in the
House. Brigham H. Roberts said today, 1t
was nothing but mass OF unfounded
charges. He also said it was irrelevant,
incompetent. Eongensical, and incapable of
proof The men vino gave out the state
ments. he said were personal enemies and
absolutely untrustw orthy as TO their evil
dence. They were men without character
and he Cnly wanted an opportunity, he
said. 10 meet them face to face before the
committee and demonstrate that all they
have charged is without the slightest
foundation of fact.
Members of the special committee in
vestigating the charges against Mr.. Rob-
erts were 4 little slow in arriving this
morning. Chairman Tayler was the first
to put in an appearance. He walked into
the committee room about $3.50 O'Clock. He
was followed few minutes later by Mr..
De Armond Then came Mr. Mcpherson
ard Mr. Freer. and few moments before
10 O'Clock Messrs. Lanham, Littleieid,
Mers. Morris. and Lands arrived, thus
making the full committee.
Mr.. Roberts with his secretary carrying
several law books was on hand p. omptly at
the hour set for the hearing. He entered
Ihe room alone. taking the books with him,
and at 1o:15 a. m he began his statement
10 the committee The hearing was be-
hind closed doors.
Mr. Roberts confined his remarks to the
legal questions involved contending that
the committee was without jurisdiction in
the matter He practically rehashed ev-
erything contained in his statement pub
lished yesterday and covered much of the
ground reviewed in his address to the
House on Tuesday. He was very earnest
in his statements.
This line of enquiry pursued by the COM
mittee was informal. He conceded the
court record that he pleaded guilty to
misdemeanor in 1890. The second question.
however. was the one that called forth
lengthy argument from him. When asked
if in 1870 or 1890. he had plural wives. and
lived with them. as wives. he pleaded not
guilty as to the whole of the question, and
demurred to the jurisdiction OF the COM
mittee on the ground of violation OF the
Constitution in that il was an attempt to
Try him for crime without presentment
of an indictment OF a grand jury.
II was also an attempt on the part OF
the committee. he said to deprive him Of
the vested right in the salary and emol-
uments attached to his Office. The only
evidence he said the committee could
rightfully consider, a court record OF
guilt or confession. He argued that the
crime, if proved. was not such as to de-
prive him of his right to his seat. as 1t
was not mentioned in the Constitution
nor in statute law as disqualification to
holding a seat in the House of Repre-
sentatives. He wanted the committee to
take up and consider his prima facie right
TO his seat. for by denying him this right,
great injustice would be done Utah. for
vital measures affecting the rights of the
people might be acted on. and the only
Representative authorized TO speak for
Utah could not be heard.
Mr.. Roberts spoke for about an hour. at
the conclusion of his argument he left the
room, and went downstairs.
The following statement was issued by
The committee late in the afternoon:
Rob,rls comedies the fact established by the
records ot the Third United States Judicial dis
Irict court. in sud fer the Territory Of tah, sub
nitted Tor his Inspection, to Wit: That in 1859,
in the Territory ui rah he pleaded guilty to the
"iel, meIhur 'hilG'u against MN "t uhiaWiui
'"!iahit'u'h
III the testimony si'ialltsf II nowhere aP-
pears That there i any affidavit other testi-
in"h!' uHel'u n'1oit tiie ohhhitcc, that ROBERTS
about iss.. previous October. lsg1. since.
contracted plural marriages. further than may
be inferred from lii confession to The misdc-
meanor q unlawful co9ahitation IN lss'' as set
M h NJ, ~. Ir. ,h"r - 'a ,r s,,ao
ar rrstimorv alleging it.
In the papcr- submitted. which are supposed
10 sustain the loose and irregular charges against
km3erts' II rowhere appears That there Is any
- o,''S, '',lii.IH Ii"L h"peIas' tltlcf
In, ~. +. The apa,;, ~ ihs rdn,,i,an o III:
.ubicct he ,pecHt;Ily denic, tIt1t since octol,cr
ls1l. he has contracted any plural marriages
I" the charge thar eYor since lss9. when Rob.
,iN bL,"ISa au,LF 70 nnia"iui SohIhit1tlon IN
pli5ds .''l not guilty I''@ III '''''0" o' ii"' lie
before tie committee on the ground that The