The San Francisco call., 1899-12-10
ROBERTS DENOUNCES
ONE OF HIS ACCUSERS
Sensational Incident of the Hear
ing Before the Special Com
mittee Of the House.

could and the committee would treat the
matter as il saw fit.
Schroeder remarked that he did not
understand that he was on trial. Roberts
did not press his objection further. and
Schroeder proceeded. He said IL could be
established that Roberts had maintained
and was now maintaining the status OF a
polygamist. In 1859 he pleaded guilty OF
unlawful cohabitation and has since that
time continued in that relation.
Specifically Schroeder said IL could be
established that there had been recently
born children to his pOlygamous wives,
among them being twins born 10 Cela
Dibble Roberts. the reputed second wlie
of the Congressman-elect. These chill
dren were represented TO be born, ne
said, on August IL, 1897. and until this
morning he had understood they were
acknowledged by Roberts as his. 1t could
also be shown that he has been holding
out DIR. Maggie Shipp Roberts as wife
and was maintaining the status or a nus
band toward her: that during all OF these
times he had living a lawful wife. Louisa
Smith Roberts, who also has borne MIN
children.
Schroeder said the witnesses were in
Utah, readily accessible II the committee
desired 10 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. Iliff Of Utah was asked If he desired
TO add anything, but said that Schroeder
had covered the general question suffi-
ciently and that the detailed evidence
sired It.
At this point Representative Mcpherson
of Iowa, member of the committee. said
that he thought there was a misunder-
standing among members as 10 the sta
tus of Roberts. Some thought he had
made his statement in order to frame an
issue Others thought he had appeared
as a witness and should be subject TO
croSs-eXamination. He said he feared the
committee was gradually drifting 10 the
point where II would have TO GO 800
mil 70 a 20 n . 80
bring witnesses 250O miles 10 Washington.
Chairman Taylor said Roberts had not
appeared as a witness and was not under
oath. Roberts said his statement was for
the purpose of joining issue. He rested
and desired a ruling on his demurrer and
time 10 present authorities on this de-
murrer. for, he said, he was not through
with that. He said also that as witness
he would hardly be expected to give EVIL
dence against himself. The public hear
ing then went over until Tuesday morning
at 10 o'clock and the committee held pri-
vate session.
Taylor said after the executive session
that the committee was considering
whether IL should go 10 Utah or have the
witnesses come here and that no decision
had been reached. Schroeder, against
whom Roberts made his protests, said
after the meeting:
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 5
name. with the consent OF my clients II Is a
long story. but suffice IL TO say that Judge
Bartch. now on the Supreme bench. who tried
the case, in rendering his oral decision. ex-
pressy exonerated me from all imputation OF
actual fraud. Mr. Roberts goes a long way
20 find means for dstracting attention from
himself. but the case is urgent and perhaps
/ ought 20 consider him justified in going 10
any extreme.
IL is understood that the opposition to
Roberts has suggested that the wives with
whom he is alleged TO have maintained
polygamous relations be summoned as
witnesses. The first wife. IL is said would
be exempt from testifying against her
husband, as she has legal status as
wife; but this exemption would not ex-
tend beyond the first wife A sub-com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Morris Lit
tleheld and Myers, had been appointed to
set up forms. etc. I'm connection with the
summoning of Witnesses