The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-10
witness Schroeder, a Utah GENTLE
Bitterly Denounced by the Polyg-
amOus Representative.
STRONG TESTIMONY GIVEN
MIR. ROBERTS SHOWN TO BE MAIN.
TANNING THREE WIVES.
Suggestion Made that the Trio Be
Summoned to Washington-TayIer
Charges and ROberts's Reply.

WASHINGTON, Dec. !-Ine nrSt or the
public hearings in the Roberts case began
at 2 o'clock. At that hour the committee
room was crowded with members, repre-
sentatives of the press and a delegation
representing the gentle element of Utah.
Roberts sat at the foot of the long COM
mittee table with documents piled before
him. His secretary was near at hand,
bringing him books and other data of
reference. Chairman Tayler announced
that persons who had participated in franz
ing the charges were present, and he asked
that they be heard.
A T. Schroeder, one of the gentle dele
CATION from Utah, then stepped forward
and was about to proceed when Mr..
Roberts rose hastily and raised his hand
i'm waving protest. II object" he said. Il
object TO this witness if he comes here as
an attorney. I object to him if he comes
as witness, on the ground that he is I'M
worthy of confidence. l propose TO estab-
lish by the records of the Supreme Court
of Utah that he is utterly unworthy of be-
lief Mr.. Roberts said he would present
the tenth Utah Supreme Court report in
support of his allegation.
Mr.. Tayler answered that Mr.. Schroeder
was not present witness or as counsel,
but merely to give the committee such in
formation as he could, and the committee
would treat the matter as il saw fit.
Mr.. Schroeder remarked that he did not
understand that he was on trial. Mr.. Rob-
erts did not press his objection further.
Mr. Schroeder proceeded. He said it could
be established that Mr.. Roberts has main
tanned 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 1t could be established
that there had recently been born children
to his polygamous wives. among them be-
ing twins born TO Celia Dibble Roberts, the
reputed second wife of the congressman
elect. These children were represented to
be born. be said, Aug. IL, 1897, and until this
morning ne had understood were acknowl-
edged by Roberts as his. 1t could also be
shown that he had been holding out DIR.
Maggie Ship Roberts as 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 committee desired
TO summon them. He suggested that Miss
ertS, Was now in the city and might be
available as a witness.
Rev. DR.. Stiff, 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 Mcpherson.
OF Iowa, member of the committed
stated that he thought there was a mis-
understanding 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 witness, and should be subject to
cross-examination. He said he feared the
committee was gradually drifting to the
point where it would have to go $500 miles
To Utah to hear witnesses, or else bring
witnesses $500 miles to Washington.
Chairman Tayler stated that Roberts had
not appeared as witness, and was not
under oath. Mr. Roberts said his state
ment was for the purpose of joining issue
He rested and desired ruling on his de-
murrer and time to present authorities on
this demurrer, for, he said, he was not
through with that. He also stated as a
witness he would hardly be expected to
give evidence against himself. The public
nearing then went over until Tuesday
morning at 10 o'clock, and the committee
held private session.
Mr.. Tayler said after the executive ses-
sion that the committee was considering
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 protest, said after the meeting:
Mr.. Roberts refers to civil suit brought
to set aside an execution sale made by the
sheriff of Salt Lake county. / was the at
torney for the judgment creditors and at
the sheriff'S sale became the purchaser
in my own name with the consent of nv
clients. 1t is long story, but suffice 1t to
say that Judge Bartch, now on the SUI
preme Bench. who tried the case. in render
ing his oral decision, expressly exoner-
ated me from all imputation of actual
fraud. Mr.. Roberts goes a long ways to
find means for distracting attention from
himself, but the case is urgent and perhaps
l ought to consider him justified in going
to many extremes.
1t 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 wit
nesses. The first wife. 1t is said. would be
exempt from testifying against her hus-
band, as she has legal status as wife,
but this exemption would not extend be-
yond the first wife.
y subcommittee consisting of Messrs.
Morris. Littlefeld and Miers, has been ap-
pointed to get up forms of subpoenas, etc,
i'm connection with the summoning of wit