The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-10

erts case began at 2 o'clock. At that
hour the committee room was crowded
with members, representatives of the
press and delegates representing the
Gentle element of Utah. Mr.. Roberts
sat at the end of a long table with doc
uments piled up before him. His seq
retary was near at hand, bringing him
books and other data of reference.
Chairman Taylor announced that
persons who had participated in franz
ing the charges were present and he
asked that they be heard. A. T. Schroe-
der. one of the Gentle delegation from
Utah, then stepped forward and was
about to proceed, when Mr.. Roberts
rose hastily and raised his hand in
protest
Il object" he said. Il object to this
witness if he comes here as an attorney.
l object to him if he comes as wit
ness on the ground that he is unworthy
of confidence. And I propose to estab
lish by the records of the supreme court
Of Utah that be is utterly unworthy Of
belief
Mr.. Roberts said he would present
the 10th Utah supreme court report in
support of his allegations. Mr.. Taylor
answered that Mr. Schroeder was not
present as a witness or as counsel. but
merely to give the committee such in
formation as he could and the commit
| tee would treat the matter as it saw fit.
| Mr.. Schroeder remarked that he did
not understand that he was on trial.
Mr.. Roberts did not press his objection
further and Mr.. Schroeder proceeded.
Mr.. Schroeder said it could be estab-
lished that Mr. Roberts had maintain
ed, and IS now maintaining the status
| of polygamist: that in 1889 he pleaded
guilty of unlawful coha bitation and has
since that time continued in that rela-
ton.
Specifically, Mr.. Schroeder said it
could be esta blished that there had
been recently born children to his poly
gamous wives, among them being twins
born to Celia Dlbble Roberts, the re-
puted second wife of the congressman
elect. These children were represented
to be born, he said, Aug. II. 1897, and
until this morning he had understood
they We're acknowledged by Roberts as
his. 1t could also be shown that he had
been holding out Maggie Ship Roberts
as a wife and is now maintaining the
status of husband toward her: that
during all of these times he had living
| lawful wife, Louisa Smith Roberts.
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
witness.
Rev DR.. Iliff 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 il
the committee desired.
AT this point Representative McPher-
son, Iowa, member of the committee,
stated that he thought there was a
misunderstanding among members as
to the status of Mr.. Roberts. Some
| thought he had made his statement IN
order to frame an issue. Others thought
he had appeared as a witness and
should sbe Subject to cross examination.
He said he feared the committee WAS
gradually drifting to the point where
1t would have to go $500 miles to Utah
to hear witnesses, or else bring wit
nesses $500 miles to Washington.
Chairman Tayler stated Roberts had
not appeared as a witness and was not
under oath. Mr.. Roberts said this
statement was for the purpose of join
ing issues He rested and desired
ruling on his demurrer and time to
present authorities on this demurrer,
for he said he was not through with
that He stated also that as a witness
he would hardly be expected to give
evidence against himself
The public hearing then went over
until Tuesday morning at 10 O'Clock.
anu tle Couliiiiltee iSiu O Pii'otc 'SS-
! sion.
Mr.. Taylor of Ohio said after the ex-
| ecutive session that the committee was
| considering whether it should go to
| Utah or have the witnesses come here,
| and that no decision had been reached.
! MI Schroeder. against whom Roberts
| made his protests, said after the meet
| ing:
Mr. Roberts refers to a civil suit
brought to set aside an execution sale
| made by the sheriff of Salt Lake coun
| ty. I was the attorney of the judg-
| ment creditors and at the sheriff 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 rem
| dering his oral decision, expr7ssv cS-
| onerated me from all ir'pu:atior CT
| actual fraud. Mr.. Roher's goes 4 long
| ways to find means for distitctinS at
| tention from himself, but :he case is
| urgent and perhaps | oN"'nt to consider
him justified in going to any .A-
| treme."
| It is understood the opposition to Mr..
| 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 b-committee consisting of Messrs.
Morris, Littlefield and Miers has been
appointed to get up forms of subpenas,
| ETC.. in connection with the summoning
| Of witnesses.
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