New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-10

attorney l object TO him II he comes as d
witness on the ground that he Is unworthy OIL
confidence. and I propose to establish ps 'ne
records OF the Supreme Court or Utah 'hat "' 10
utterly unworthy of belief
Roberts said he would present the ten'"
sunreme Court report In support OF his allega-
ton
Mr. rsv,er answered that Mr.. Schroeder was
not present as a witness or as COUNSEL ou'
merely to give the committee such information
as he could, and the conii''ee "'
matter as II saw MT
Mr.. Schroeder remarked that ne oio no' "iO
stand that he was on trial.
Mr. Roberts did not press MS ooJecuoh LUZ
,ber and Mr. Schroeder proceeded.
WITNESSES FROM UTAH.
Mr. Schroeder said 1t could be estaoisneu
that Mr.. Roberts had maintained ana IS NJ"
maintaining the status Of a polysamist; 'hA' III
1880 he pleaded guilty Of unlawful cohaDita'io'
and has since that time continued IN tha' re-
lation. Specifically, Mr.. Schroeder said' IL couiu
he established that there had recently peoN
born children to his polygamous wives aliiohs
them being twins born to Celia Dibble hoper'S'
the reputed second wife Of the Congressman
elect These children were reported to be porn
10 said
ing he had understood they were Acknowledge
by Roberts as his. 1t could also be shown .ha'
he had been acknowledging Dr. Maggie SNIP
Roberts as wife. and is now ai,s al
status of husband toward her: that during an
OF these tim>s he had living lawlul VIZ
Louisa Smith Roberts, who also mas porhe MI"
children. J., Y,.oh
Mr. Schroeder said the witnesses were In Utah,
readily accessible If the committee desired "
summon them He suggested that MISS Adan
Roberts the daughter Of Mr.. Roberts, was nov
I'm the city and might be available as witness.
The Rev. DR.. Stiff, OF Utah, was asked II ne
desired to add anything, but said that MI
Schroeder had covered the general question SUI,
fciently. and that the detailed evidence "ouiu
be ready II the committee desired.
AT this point Representative McPherson' OF
Iowa, a member of the committee. SAID ne
thought there was a misunderstanding 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 APP
peared as a witness and should be supJect 10
cross examination. He said he feared tne Goa.
n1ittee was gradually drifting to the point where
1t would have to go $500 miles to utah TO near
witnesses. or else bring witnesses Z,ooo miles 10
Washington
appeared as a witness and was not under oath'
Mr. Roberts said his statement was TOT the
purpose OF Joining issues. He expected ana oe-
sired ruling on his demurrer ana time 10
present authorities on this demurrer for, he
said he was not through with that. He said
also that, as witness. he would hardiy De eA-
pected to give evidence against himself -
The public hearing was then adjourned until
Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, and the com
mittee held private session.
TALK OF VISITING UTAH.
Mr.. Tayler said after the executive session that
the committee was considering whether 1t should
60 to Utah or have the witnesses come here,
and that no decision had been reached.
Mr. Schroeder against whom Roberts made
n after the meeting.
Mr. Roberts refers TO a civil suit brought 70
set aside execution sale made by the Sherifr
Of Salt Lake County. I was the attorney Tor the
judgment creditors. and at the Sherins sale
became the purchaser In my own name, WIN
the consent Of my clients 1t is long story,
but suffice 1t to say that Judge Bartch, now on
the Supreme bench who tried the case, In rem
dering his oral decision expressly exonerated
me from all imputation OF actual fraud. Mr..
Roberts goes long way to find means FOR dis
tracing attention from himself, but the case
is urgent. and perhaps ought to consider him
justified in going to many extremes.
1t is understood that the opposition to Rob
erts has suggested that the wives with whom he
is alleged to have maintained polygamous rela-
tons be summoned as witnesses. The first wife,
it is said. would be exempt from testifying
against her husband, as she has legal status
as Wife but this exemption would not extend
further ~
A subcommittee, consisting OF Messrs. Nor
ris Littleheld and Mers, has been appointed TO
get up forms Of subpenas etc, in connection
with the summoning of witnesses.