Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-08
No CONCLUSION REACHED.
The Roberts Committee Discussing n
Method of Procedure.

The Roberts committee spent the forenoon
today discussing method of procedure in
the case. but reached no conclusion. and at
noon took an adjournment until o'clock.
Mr.. Roberts appeared before the COM
rnittee III person and later had an extended
conference alone with Chairman Taylor.
Mr.. Roberts says he will not employ
counsel, but will argue his own case. The
auxiliary counsel for the opposition are on
hand in force The corridor outside of the
committee room was threnSad today with
members OF ths reform associations which
have taken up the case against Mr.. Roberts
During the early hours of the meeting
Mr.. Roberts was present, accompanied by
his secretary, and made statement as to
his general wishes In connection with the
inquiry. He said he was specially DESTROYS
Of having the committee first go into his
prin1a facie right to a seat. afterward TAX
ing up the general merits of the subject,
He said he favored open sessions, as he did
not wish any of the testimony Kept from
the public. He Indicated also that he de-
sired to present testimony relative TO- the
manner III which the charges against him
were prepared. Mr.. Roberts then retired
and the committee continued in private ses-
sion until 12.3O o'clock, when recess was
taken until 2 pm
It Is said that Mr.. Roberts will probably
not make his fight for seat in the House
so persistent as to compel sweeping m
vestigation by the committee, which might
result in disclosures as to the extent of the
practice of poIygarny in Utah. 1t IS said
that the influence of the Mormon Church
will be adverse to an investigation broad
enough to involve the general question OF
the good faith of Utah in carrying out It's
compact with the federal government
For this reason 1t is said that Mr.. Rob
erts will probably follow course which
will render It unnecessary to extend the in
vestigatiOn and send for witnesses in order
10 determine the question of fact involved.
and that he will make his defense con-
~ t8y.0itt tod Il
not justify his being deprived Of his seat
The afternoon meeting was brief. and
was adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow
Inornin No announcement was made
except that Chairman Tayler said the
work was progressing satisfactorily ana
smoothly. II is understood that some cues
ton exists as to weather Roberts snail De
treated as q contesting member. or De
asked to plead as in trial. and the com
msttee will probably hear him further be
fore reaching conclusion
No Charge of PoIygamy Filed
There is no record at the Post Office De
Iartment of any complaints ever having
been made against the appointment of John
q Graham postmaster at Provo City,
Utah. and Orson Smith. postmaster at Lo-
gan, Utah These are the federal officers
named by Mr. Roberts in his speech in the
House declaring that polygaTnists have been
appointed 10 Office under President Nc
Hiniey. Mr. Bristow, fourth assistant post
master general. told reporter Of The Star
this afternoon that he had looked up the
cases and found nothing whatever in the
shape Of a protest at the time Of their APP
rtptntment
The only complaint IN the office bearing
mon Tbs. subject of polygamy IS with ref
,-r,.nce 10 one Of the applicants for the
strnaslership at Logan. OrsOn Smith the
postmaster, recently defaulted and left
,he CITY and one of the applicants for the
-,,-sition. has been charged with being d
rtt.y - mist.