The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-09
AN ANSWER TO
ROBERTS ADDRESS
Delegation Representing Gentle EIe-
ment in Utah Charge That He is
a Fugitive From Justice.

WASHINGTON. Dee. S.-Au answer TO
ar. Brigham Roberts address to the
American people was issued to-day by a
delegation representing the gentle element
ia Utah. who are here 20 oppose Mr. Rob
ert.. The answer IS. in part. as follows:
"In this morning papers Mr. Roberts
makes an appeal for sympathy, in which
are many statements needing correction,
while many facts are suppressed.
"Mr. Roberts says Doe has not been con-
v.cted since statehood DC does not follow
that be is Innocent DE is now fugitive
from justice 100 Salt Lake county ON a
charge of unlawful C0na1itati0n. and in
Davis county Utah. where resides one OF
his pO.yglmOus wives with her iiieg.ti-
mate twins born August 18th. 1895. a
charge of adultery felony under th.
laws of Uah-hls been for two months
geon-holcd by 10 Mormon prosecuting
attorney
"Mr Roberts. I'm his attempt TO belltue
his crimes insists that g. is only charg q
with a. misdome4uOr. Tie knows better.
He knows THAT he has been. under oath
and before the proper pros cutting officers.
charged with the felony VI adultery. as
Wei as the m.sdemetuor OF unlawful c0-
hIbitdt.0n.
"Mauy sentimental people are being mis-
le1 by Mr. Roberts very iug ui0us sug-
estions from which some people infer
thar he took his p0iygam0us wives when
be- was iaW.u. to DO $50. This is a mis-
take.
"EN-Congress W. IT. King was and
is now a Mormon. and no claim 0f inel-
glbuity WAS ever made against him. We
point 20 this fact as show ng that we 0p-
pose Mr.. Roberts. not upon the ground
OF any religious opinions entertained by
him. bgt because OF bis criminal practices.
Neither is this "a matter OF rel gious or
political persecution or prejudice The
undersigned include men OF different
churches and men who belong 10 no
church those who are Republicans and
those who are Democrats.
COMPACT VIOLATED.
"Ar Roberts denies and We assert that
the compact between Utah and the other
states has been violated
AS evidence thtt this compact has
been brokeB We point 90 the following.
THAT in Utah lOJl iiiegltimate children
aaye been born 90 p0lysamOus wives since
a.NNtNoNNs
THAT about two thousand poygamoIs
households now exist in Utah and that
the attempt t0 secure "a punishment OF
ffese offenders is denounced by the major
it,. as wc believe. W Utah.s citizens.
That tho circums,antiai evidence un-
10 STA kably points to the existence of new
wives .n nolys households.
"That the very men who interpreted the
manifesto o. ls.o 90 prohibit unlawful CO.
haiitatlon with prior acquired wives, now
publicly justify rs continuance
"All this IS by necessary implication en-
dorsed by a majority OF Utahs people In
The election o. Brigham n Roberts who
during hts campaign for election was pub
licly CHARGED with being vio'ator Of the
laws. as evidenced by his inesitimafe pro
geny. and IN spite OF these undenied
charges he was elected by an oyerwhelm-
ing majority.
THAT Mr. Roberts himself understood
trat contract to mean the discontinuance
~ unlawful % hsbliaiion. We point 10 nj
registration oath - 1896. IN which he swore
it TO be his Intention 20 obey the law pro
hic,ting unlawful co-habitation