The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-10
The Committee May Go to Utah Tor
Evidence.
MORMON IS READY FOR A FIGHT
He Said His Statement Was Made for
the Purpose of Joining Issue,
and He Desired Ruling
on His Demurrer

public hearings in the Roberts case began
at o'clock. AT that hour the committee
room was crowded with members, represen-
tatives of the press and a delegation rep
resenting the gentle element of Eaah.
Roberts sat at the foot of the long COM
mittee table with documents piled up be-
fore him. His secretary was near at hand,
bringing him books and other data of refer
ence.
Chairman Taylor announced that persons
who had participated in framing the
charges were present and he asked that
they be heard.
A. T. Schroeder, one of the gentle delega-
tion from Utah, then stepped forward and
was about to proceed, when Mr.. Roberts
rose hastily and raised his hand In waving
protest.
'I object he said. 'I object TO this wit
ness If he comes here as an attorney. I
object to him If he comes as witness on
the ground he is unworthy of confidence,
and because he is common swindler. And
1 propose to establish by the records of the
supreme court of Utah that he is utterly
unworthy of belief
Roberts said he would present the tenth
his allegation.
Mr.. Taylor answered that Mr.. Schroeder
was not present as a witness or as counsel,
but merely to give the committee as much
information as he could, and that the COM
mittee would treat the matter as 1t saw fit.
Mr.. Schroeder remarked that he did not un-
derstand that he was on trial.
Mr. Roberts did not press his objection
further and Mr.. Schroeder proceeded.
Said Roberts Was Polygamist
Mr.. Schroeder said it could be established
that Mr.. Roberts had maintained, and is
now maintaining, the status of a polyga-
mist; that in 1889 he pleaded guilty of un-
lawful cohabitation, and has since that
time continued in that relation. Specifical-
ly, Mr.. Schroeder said 1t could be establish
ed that there had recently been born chill
dren to his polygamous wives, among them
being twins born to Celia Dibbe Roberts,
the reputed second wife of the congress-
man-elect. The children were reported to
be born, he said, August II, 1897, and until
this morning he had understood were ac-
knowledged by Mr.. Roberts as his.
1t could be shown that he had been hold
ing out DR.. Maggie Shipp Roberts as wife
and is now maintaining the status Of hus-
band towards her; that during all of this
time he has living a lawful wife, Louisa
Smith Roberts, who has also borne him
children.
Mr.. Schroeder said the witnesses were in
Utah, readily accessible If the committee
desired to summon them. He suggested
that Miss Adah Roberts, the daughter of
Mr.. Roberts, was now in the city, and that
she be available as a witness.
Rev. DR.. Tiff, of Utah, was asked II he
desired to add anything, but he stated that
Mr.. Schroeder had covered the general
question sufficiently and that the detailed
evidence would be ready if the committee
desired.
At this point Representative MCPHERSON,
of Iowa, a member of the committee,
stated that he thought there was a misun-
derstanding among the members as to the
status of Mr.. Roberts. Some thought that
he had made his statement in order to
frame an issue. Others thought he had ap-
peared as witness, and should be subject
ed to cross ss-examination. He said he feared
the committee was gradually drifting to
the point where it would have to go $500
miles to Utah to hear witnesses, or else
Roberts Was Not a Witness
Chairman Taylor stated that Roberts had
not appeared as witness and was not un-
der oath. Mr.. Roberts said his statement
was for the purpose of joining issue. He
rested and desired a ruling on his demurrer
and time to present authorities on these de-
murers for, he said, he was not through
with 1t. He stated also, that as a witness,
he would hardly be expected to give evil
dence against himself.
The public hearing then went over until
Tuesday morning at 10 O'Clock, and the
committee held private session. Mr.. Tay-
lor said after the executive session that the
committee was considering whether 1t
should go to Utah or have the witnesses
summoned here.
Mr.. Schroeder against whom Roberts
made his protests, said after the meeting:
Mr. Roberts alludes to civil suit brought
to set aside execution sale made by the
sheriff Of Salt Lake county.
was the attorney for the judgment cred
itors and at the sheriff's sale became the
purchaser in my own name, with the con-
sent of my clients. 1t is a story. but suffice
it to say that Judge Bartieh, now on. the
supreme bench, who tried the case, in rem
dering his oral decision, expressly exonerat-
ed me from imputation of actual fraud"
It is understood that the opposition to
Roberts has suggested that the wives with
whom he was alleged to have maintained
polygamous relations be summoned as wit
nesses. The first, 1t Is said, would be ex-
empt from testifying against her husband,
as she has a legal status, as wife, but this
exemption would not extend beyond the
first wife.
A subcommittee consisting of Messrs.
Morris, Littlefeld and Myers has been ap-
pointed to get up forms of subpoenas, etc..
In connection with the summoning of wit
nesses.