The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-14
FIRST WITNESS CALLED.
The Trial Of Brigham n. Roberts Has
Commenced.
RULES OF EVIDENCE ARE SET ASIDE
on Result of Immatcrinl and
Hearsay Testimony.

| Washington, December 13.--The COM
mittee of the house which Is investigating
the case OF Mr.. Roberts Of Utah. at 1880
today began the public examination Of wit
nesses. a large number of spectators
we're ON hand. including several ladies'.
| Mr.. Roberts occupied seat at the foot
of the committee table. while thanking
him was the delegation Of gentiles. Rev.
DR.. Ilifi. Mr.. Schroeder and others, here
to direct the case against the Utah mem
ber-elec When Chairman Taylor of
Ohio called the committee to order and
asked what witnesses would be heard. Mr..
Roberts arose and asked to be informed
as to his status before the committee. He
made short statement In line with his
brief which has already been published.
Mr.. Taylor responded that all of Mr..
Roberts rights had been fully looked after
and protected, and there was no proper
question which had not been raised. Mr.
Taylor then asked Mr.. Schroeder what
witnesses he would call.
Does this man appear as attorney?"
asked Roberts.
He Will examine Witnesses" explained
Mr.. Taylor.
Then l wish to introduce the court rec
ord relating to him." said Mr.. Roberts.
Mr.. Taylor said this had already been
passed on Saturday and Schroeder hao
been recognized.
Charles Austin Owen was then called
He gave his residence as Salt Lake City.
In responce to questions by Mr. Schroeder
he said he knew the general reputation in
salt Lake City of the status of
Roberts and DR. Maggie shipp Rob-
erts. Witness said that the gen
eral relation of the status of Roberts
lr
they maintained the relation of husband
and wife.
While the questions were being put as
to Mrs. Maggie Roberts, Roberts inter-
rupted with the objection: What this
lady may have done is immaterial."
In the absence of any evidence show
ing tnat 1t was at the direction of B. H.
Roberts, Mr.. Schroeder said later testi-
mony would bring out the materiality OF
the questions and Mr.. Taylor ruled that
the competency of the questions could be
Judged by the subsequent testimony
MI Roberts then cross examined the
witness. Mr.. Roberts questions brought
OUT mat the witness had no personal
knowledge as to Mrs. Maggie Roberts mr.
Mr.. Roberts based on talks with them
out his information, he said, was based on
general and common report
want to know said Mr. Roberts
II the general reputation you have been |
testilying to obtains since March 4, 1S99?"
1T does"
And what is that reputation?,
That Maggie Ship Roberts is the plu-
RAJ or polygamous wife of Brigham Fl.
Roberts,
'On what acts Is this general renuta-
ton based?" inquired Roberts
NO specific acts. but generally accept
ed reputation" responded Mr.. owens.
There was also considerable Testimony
on court prosecutions throughout the
state on which the witness had informa-
ton AS his evidence closed, Mr.. Rob-
erts asked to have all this testimony
struck from the record, as the witness II
was unable to testify to his own kuowl- |,
edge The chairman permitted the testt-
mony to stand.
Mr.. Schroeder stated that this was all
the evidence at hand until witnesses ar
rived from Utah.
Mr.. Roberts stated that United States
senator Brown, uon Mormon end a /
member of the republican organization
from Utah, was in town aud could fur
nish information on general conditions in
Utah; also T. c. Dunbar, clark Of the
court at Salt Lake, and Mr.. Glass of that
city.
Chairman Taylor said that The inariry
would he confined to matters affecting Mr..
Roberts and the broad :lell of general
conditions in Utah you'd not be e.tered !
Upon at present. At 1 o'clock tho com
nittee went into executive session prior
% adjournment for the hay.
In the course of the nsIring Mr. Taylo-
stated to Roberts that the latter's de- >
nurrer had been overruled, all qLcsi,ons
,eing taken into consilsra-t,n fer deter I
nination later.