Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-12-09
GIN MAKE HIS OWN PLEA.
Congressman Elect Roberts to
Meet With Committee.
SESSIONS MAY BE SECRET
The Discussion of Family Matters
Likely to be Held Behind Closed
Doors--Roberts Draws Portion of
His SaIary--Petitions Presented in
Senate Against Polygamy.

Washington, Dec An initial meet
ing OF the committee appointed to i'm
vestigate the charges against Brigham
II. Roberts, the member-elect from
Utah, on which the accused is barred
from taking his seat in the fifty-sixth
Congress. has been held TO decide up-
on a plan of procedure by which the
matter can be finally disposed of AT as
early date as possible The proceeds
ings OF the committee were not aito-
gether Of public character, but
enough has been learned OF what tran
spired TO warrant the statement that
Mr.. Roberts will be granted the priyi-
lege of making a personal plea before
the committee and he VIII also be all
lowed counsel at the committee hearing
of his case.
In discussing this important matter
after the meeting had adjourned Reps
resentativc Taylor, of Ohio, chairman
OF the committee, declared that he
could not say how soon the committee
would be able to report. although he
expressed the opinion that the inquiry
would proceed with all due expedition
as the claimant was entitled to an early
decision. There are many witnesses
here and some in Usah, but Ii Is like
~ that the committee win not leave
Washington, although there are some
presidents for extending an inquiry to
other points.
Mr.. Taylor said the arguments In
election cases were Usually open to the
public but he had some doubt as TO
whether the hearings particularly such
parts az involved family matters,
should be open.
These details are yet to be determine
ed. Mr.. Taylor saying that the essen
tial question was to secure calm and
unprecedented consideration Of the eligi-
biity OF the claimant.
Mr. Roberts WAS about the House
| during Wednesday. There was no scs-
sion and ne was engaged most OF the
time in chatting with groups of mem
bers and visitors. wins showed a friend
ly disposition toward him. He said he
had no comment to AXE on the course
of the House He viii likely look after
his interests in person before the Com
mittee OF inquiry.
Whether the pay cf Mr.. Roberts, OF
Utah, Is stopped as . result of the ac-
ton of the House Ia refusing him a
seat has not been passed upon by the
arise until the January pay certificates
are issued by Speaker Henderson. by
which time il Is expected that the case
will be permanently settled
Mr. Roberts drew bis pay up to De-
cember 8. the day be fore Congress as
sembled, on the certificate OF Clerk Nc
Dowell that he was a member-eIect.
With the opening Of Congress the is
suance OF certificates developes on the
Speaker, the monthly certificate read
ing that there is due the member a
stated sum ''as member OF the House
of Representatives of the Fifty sixth
Congress"
Whether this certificate could be is
sued to Mr.. Roberts as "a member" IL
oren to doubt. but H. Is believed that
the final action OF he House in the
case will remove all ioubt before Jan.
3. when the next cert fcates are issued.
Mr.. Rawlins. Utah. presented reso-
luton providing for fun investigation
of alleged polygamous practices in the
United States and or the charge that
the President has nv pointed polygam-
lists to federal offices 1t was referred
to the Judiciary Con mittee
Mr.. Jones, Arkansas, offered a resolu-
tion that Senator N. B. Scott, of West
Virginia, is not enti led to a seat In
the Senate. The resolution, together
with Il memorial Of John McGraw on
the subject. was referred to the Conn
mittee on Privileges nd Elections.