The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-01-19

at the outset. Messrs. Littlefield and
De Almond will make a minority re-
port favorable to seating Roberts on
his prima facia rights and then ex-
polling him.
Facts Found by Committee.
The statement of facts found by the
committee is as follows: 1--WE find
that B. II. Roberts was elected as
representative to the Fifty-sixth con-
gress from the state Of Utah and was
at the date of his election above the
age Of % years; that he had been for
more than seven years naturalized
citizen Of the United States and was
an inhabitant Of the state Of Utah.
"We further find that about 1878 he
married Louisa Smith, his first and
lawful wife, with whom he has ever
since lived as such, and who, since
their marriage, has borne him six chill
dren. About 1885 he married as his
plural wife, Celia Dibble, with whom
he has ever since lived as such and
who, since such marriage, has borne
him six children, of which the last
were twins, born Aug. II, 1897.
Marriage with Margaret G. shipp.
THAT some years after his said mar
riage to Celia Dibble he contracted
another plural marriage with Margaret
@. Shipp, with whom he has ever since
lived In the habit and repute Of mar
rage.
Your committee is unable to fix the
exact date of this marriage. It does
not appear that he held her out as
his wife before Jan. /, 1897 or that
before that date she held him out as
her husband, or that before that date
they were reputed to be husband and
wife. That these facts were generally
known in Utah, publicly charged
against him during his campaign for
election and were not denied by him.
That the testimony bearing on those
facts was taken in the presence of Mr..
Roberts and that he fully cross-exam-
ined the witnesses, but declined to
place himself on the witness stand"
The eliminating Session.
The eliminating session of the COM
mittee followed many prolonged exec
utive sessions, which left no doubt
as to the attitude Of the several men,
bers, with the exception of Mr.. Miers
of Indiana, who had been out of the
city. He had returned, and it was de-
termlned to bring the matter to a d.
rect issue. Accordingly when the COM
mittee met Mr.. Mcpherson of Iowa
offered a resolution for the exclusion
of Roberts.
Mr.. De Almond Immediately pro-
posed substitute, recognizing the con-
stitutiOnal rights Of Roberts to take
his seat on his credentials, and pro.
viding for his expulsion. There was
no discussion beyond informal remarks
and the vote was first taken on Mr.. De
Almonds substitute, Mr.. Littlefield
Joining him In the affirmative and the
others voting In opposition.
Result of the Vote.
The vote was then taken on Mr.. Nc
Pherson's motion to exclude, resulting
as follows: Yeas-Tayler of Ohio.
Frear, Morris and Mcpherson, Repub-
licans; Lanham and Miers, Democrats.
Nays-Littlefield, Republicans: De Ar
mond, Democrat. Chairman Tayler
was authorized to prepare the major
ity report. 1t will be ready in a few
days and the prospects are that the
subject will be brought before the
house early next week. Mr.. De Ar
mond will submit the views of the
minority. He will include the ex-
haustive review Of the law. covering
about seventy typewriter pages, pre-
pared by Mr.. Littlefield. The main
point Of this is that the house cannot
add to the requirements provided by
the constitution for admission to the
house. and that the only constitutional
remedy Is to admit and then expel on
the finding OF facts.