The record-union., 1899-12-10

papers and facts do not state facts suf-
ficient to constitute a charge against
me that is in any way regular and ten
able or sufficient to deprive me of my
prima facie right to take the oath OF
office and occupy the seat in the House
of Representatives to which / have
been duly and legally elected, and which
election and right is not contested.
'"Third-That said papers and evil
dence are ambiguous, unintelligible and
incompetent, and of such character as
to make the same not worthy to be con-
sidered by the committee, and I ask
be now considered"
THE PUBLIC HEARING.
The first of the public hearings in the
Roberts case began at 2 o'clock. AT
that hour the committee room was
crowded with members, reporters of the
press and delegates representing the
Gentle element of Utah. Mr.. Roberts
sat at the end of a long table, with
documents piled up before him. His
Secretary was near at hand. bringing
him books and other data of reference.
Chairman Tayler announced that per-
sons who had participated in framing
the charges were present, and he asked
that they be heard.
A. T. Schroeder, one of the Gentle
delegation from Utah, then stepped for
ward and was about to proceed, when
Mr.. Roberts rose hastily and raised his
hand in protest.
IT object" he said, Il object to this
witness, if he comes here as an at
torney. / object to him if he comes
as witness, on the ground that he is
unworthy of confidence. And I pro-
pose to establish by the records of the
Supreme Court of Utah that he is ut
terly unworthy of belief"
Roberts said he would present the
Tenth Utah Supreme Court report in
support Of his allegations.
Mr. Tayler answered that Mr.. Schroe-
der was not present as a witness or as
counsel, but merely to give the COM
mittee such information as he could,
and the committee would treat the mat
ter as it saw fit.
Mr.. Schroeder remarked that he i'd
not understand that he was on trial.
Mr.. Roberts did not press his OBJ
lection further, and Mr.. Schroeder pro-
ceeded. He said it could be established
that Mr.. Roberts had maintained and
is now maintaining the status of a
polygamist In 1889 he pleaded guilty
of unlawful Capitalization and has since
that time continued in that relation
Specifically, Mr. Schroeder said, it could
be established that there had been re-
Gently born children to his polygamous
wives, among them being twins born
to Celia Dibble Roberts, the reputed
second wife of the Congressman-el elect
These children were represented to be
born, he said, August IL, 1897, and un-
til this morning he had understood they
were acknowledged by Roberts as his
1t could also be shown that he has
been holding out DR.. Maggie Ship
Roberts as a wife, and is now maintain
ing the status of a husband toward her;
that during all of these times he had
living a lawful wife, Louisa Smith Rob
erts, who also has borne him children.
Mr. Schroeder said the witnesses were
in Utah, readily accessible if the COM
mittee desired to summon them. He
suggested that Miss Adah Roberts, the
daughter of Mr. Roberts, was now in
the city, and might be available as a
witness.
Rev. Dr. Tiff of Utah was asked if
he desired to add anything, but stated
that Mr.. Schroeder had covered the
general question sufficiently, and that
the detailed evidence would be ready
if the committee desired.
At this point Representative Nc
Pherson of Iowa, member of the COM
mittee, stated that he thought there
bers as to the status of Mr.. Roberts.
Some thought he had made his state
ment in order to frame an issue. Others
thought he had appeared as witness.
and should be subject to oss-exami-
nation. He said he feared the commit
tee was gradually drifting to the point
where it would have to go $500 miles
to Utah to hear witnesses. or else bring
witnesses $500 to Washington.
Chairman Tayler stated that Roberts
had not appeared as a witness, and was
not under oath.
Mr.. Roberts said his statement was
for the purpose of joining issues. He
rested, and desired a ruling on his de-
murrer and time to present authorities
on this demurred, for, he said, he was
not through with that. He stated also
that as a witness he would hardly he
expected to give evidence against him
self
The public hearing then went over
until Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock,
and the committee held a private ses-
sion.
Mr.. Tayler said after the executive
session that the committee was consid-
ering whether it should go to Utah or
have the witnesses come here, and that
no decision had been reached.
Mr.. Schroeder, against whom Roberts
made his protests, said after the meet
ing: s'Mr Roberts refers to a civil
suit brought to set aside an execution
sale made by the Sheriff of Salt Lake
County. I was the attorney of the
judgment creditors, and at the Sheriff's
sale became the purchaser in my own
name, with the consent of my clients.
1t is a long story, but suffice it to say
that Judge Bartch, now on the Su
preme Bench, who tried the case, in
rendering his oral decision, expressly
exonerated me from all imputation of
actual fraud Mr. Roberts goes long
way to find means for distracting at
tention from himself but the case is
urgent, ana perhaps ought 10 coiiSluet
him justified in going to any extreme"
1t is understood that the opposition
to Roberts has suggested that the wives
with whom he is alleged to have main
tanned polygamous relations be sum
moned as witnesses. The first wife, it
is said, would be exempt from testify
ing against her husband, as she has
legal status as wife, but this exemption
would not extend beyond the first wife.
A subcommittee consisting of Messrs
Morris, Littlefield and Myers have
been appointed to set up forms, ETC.,