The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-12
Much Darker Than Usual.

plant.
Much Darker Than Usual.
Indeed the prosecution is keeping its
side of the affair much darker than has
been customary. George Z. Hill, pri-
vate secretary to Mr.. Roberts. visited
Mr.. Putnam yesterday and asked for a
list of the witnesses for the prosecu-
tion- The request was denied very
promptly by the county attorney.
The prosecution of Mr.. Roberts at this
time is in line with predictions hereto
fore made by The Herald that Com
plainant Owen would wait until con-
grsSs was about to convene before tax
ing any action in order to influence z
decision on Mr. Roberts case there. The
congressman is now in the east and the
nations lawmakers will assemble for
business just three weeks from tomor-
row.
Mr. Hill was asked for a statement
regarding the matter yesterday He did
not seem surprised at the beginning of
the prosecution at this time because it
was what he had been expecting tire
political opponents of his chief to do.
Went East On Business.
Mr. Roberts went east originally on
private business and for the purpose
of looking after his interests in con-
gresS" he said. He is now actively en-
gagged in meeting members and pre-
pairing for the opening of congress. 1t
was suggested to him. before he left,
that the storm starters, who failed to
attempt proceedings against him dur
ing the past year, would take advan-
tage of his absence as soon as he de-
parted, by pretending that they desired
to institute proceedings against him, in
good faith; hence to avoid delay he ar
ranged to appear by attorney and plead
in ne of Oh Of nj
cOhabitation being preferred against
him, and such would have been done
had the conspiratOrs against him not
delayed the matter until it would now
require all of the remaining time-three
weeks-which they know is invaluable
to him, between now and the converting
of congress, to come here. prepare for
and attend a preliminary Investigation
and return to Washington, without
having an opportunity of trying the
case.
Personally. l am surprised that the
county attorney has permitted the use
of his office, at this late date. in so un-
fair, if not illegal proceeding; for it is
m.anifestly intended only to put Mr..
Roberts at a great disadvantage, and.
if possible, deprive him of the time and
opportunities which will be most SER
Viceabie TO him. 1t is a violation of the
spirit and also the letter of the con-
stitution of the United States. to at
tempt to arrest or prosecute him for a
misdemeanor, such as unlawful cohab-
itation is, while either in attendance
upon or on his way TO congress. Mr..
Roberts is either now in Washington
or on his way there. as many ether
congressman are, and performing or
preparing to perform their official du-
ties.
Little Time Left.
IF this prosecution had been COM
menced two or three weeks earlier,
when Mr.. Roberts could have come
here and proceeded with the trial. there
is no doubt but what he would have
done so; but ii is now entirely unrea-
sonable and unjust to expect that the
short time intervening before the OPEN
ing of congress would be devoted to
travelling and in an unnecessary inves-
tigation, without an actual trial. and
thus spend his time in meeting charges
that have been trumped up at this late