The Van Buren press., 1899-12-16
Fighting FOR HIS PLACE.
Open Session of the COMMITTEES
Investigating the Case of
Brigham H. Roberts.
| QUESTION OF GENERAL REPUTATION.
ur. Roberts Wanted witnc&s' Tes-
timony stricken Out Because He
Could Not Testify of Personal
knowledge ns to Roberts PCIyE-
amous Relations.


tee of the house of representatives
which is investigating the case of Mr..
Roberts, of Utah, began the eNamlna-
ton of witnesses.
A large number of spectators were
present, including several ladies'. Mr..
Roberts occupied a seat at the foot of
the committee table, while thanking
him was the delegation Of Gentiles,
Rev. DR.. Ilif1, Mr.. Schroeder and 9th
prs-here to direct the case against
the Utah member-eleet.
All Rights Looked After.
When Chairman Taylor called the
committee to order and asked what
witnesses would be heard, Mr.. Rob
erts arose and asked to be informed as
to his status before the committee. lie
made short statement in line with
his brief submitted Tuesday.
Mr.. Taylor responded that all of
Mr.. Roberts rights had been tully
locked after and protected, and there
was no proper question which had not
been raised.
Already Passed Upon.
Mr.. Taylor then asked Mr.. Schroeder
what witnesses he would call
"Does this man appear as attorney?
asked Roberts.
"He will examine witnesses" ex-
planned Taylor.
"Then wish to Introduce the court
records relating to him. said Roberts.
Mr.. Taylor said this had already
been passed on Saturday, and Schroe-
der had been recognized.
Charles Austin Owen was then
called. He gave his residence as Salt
Lake City. In response to questions
by Mr.. Schroeder, he said he knew the
general reputation, in Salt Lake City,
Of the status of "Dr. Maggie c. Shipp
Roberts,
Matter of General Reputation.
The witness said that the general
reputation of the status of Roberts
and DIR. Maggie .. Shipp Roberts was
that they maintained the relation of
husband and wife. While the ques-
tions were being put as to Mrs. Mag
gle Roberts, Roberts interrupted with
the objections:
what this lady may have done is
inmaterial in the absence to any
testimony showing that it was at the
direction of b. IL. Roberts"
Would show Later.
Mr.. Schroeder said later testimony
would bring out the materiality of the
questions, and Mr.. Tayler ruled that
the competency of the questions could
be judged by the subsequent testi-
mony. The witness was then cross eX-
amined by Mr.. Roberts, whose quHs-
tions brought out that the witness had
no personal knowledge as to Mrs. Mag
pie Roberts or Mr.. Roberts, based on
talks with them, but his information
was general and of common repute
A PoIygamous Wife.
81 want to know" asked Roberts,
"if the general reputation you have
been testifying to, obtains since March
4, 1892"
at does"
"And what is that reputation?"
''That Maggie C.. Shipp Roberts is
the plural or polygamous wife of
Brigham II. Roberts,"
'On what acts is that general roy
utation based?" inquired Roberts.
No Specific Acts.
"No specific acts, but generalally-ac
cepted reputation responded NJ,
Owen.
There was also considerable testi-
mony on court prosecution through
out the state,o which the witness had
information. As his evidence closed,
Mr. Roberts asked to have all this tes
timony struck from the record, as this
witness WAS unable to testify to his
own knowledge.
The chairman permitted the testi
mony to stand.