The National tribune., 1900-01-11
THE CASE OF ROBERTS.
Heard in His own Defense by the Special
Committee.

The snecial committee for the invostiga-
t.on of the case of Brigham II. Roberts H.
slmed its sessions last Thursday. Two
SESSIONS. one i'll the forenoon and one in the
Afternoon, were devoted TO argument Of the
evidence presented by various witnesses;
before the holidays.
a. r.. Shrocder, head of the Gentle
delegation here to oppose Roberts, then
Oroncd the argument against Roberts.
The evidence clearly shows" said Mr..
Schroeder, that since 1889 Mr.. Roberts
has Teen in the status Of Il polygamst.
and the question is as to the effect of this
etatus." He said that while Utah was q
Territory there was no doubt as to RoLcrts's
disframchisement under the Edmunds and
Tucker acts. And when Utah was ad-
mittcd to Statehood. Mr.. Schroeder con
tended. Mr.. ROLerts's citizenship was still
impaired; The status OF ploiygamy was
sich that Roberts could not relieve himself
from it without some affirmative act
The afternoon hearing was enlivencd
when Senator Rawlins, of Utah, was
drawn into a discussion of polygamy.
Senator Rawlins attempted to correct a
detail as to statement by Schroeder.
Chairman Taylcr thereuron asked Sena-
tor Rawlns, who was once a Delegate
from Utah, if it was not understood AT
the time the State was admitted that DO
lygdmy was at an end.
1t was my understanding" said Sena-
tor Rawlins, that the solcmni2ation of
rolygamons marriages was interdcted by
the Mormon Church and that this would
have Il salutary effect III terminating the
practice. But ! did not hold ont TO Cor
grcss that family relations already es-
tahiished would be broken up"
DO you think" continued Mr. Tayler.
that Utah would have been admitted ii
it had been understood that in Il few years
Utah would send tOt onEress man main
tniuipp UDlND1Fuo.4G TclIt tiDuSy"
Senator Kawlins said lie did not think
Congress believed the practice of poly
gamy would lie continued.
Chairman Taylcr read from the speeches
of Senator EaWlins OF those DAYS 10 the
effect That while pOlygamy had once ex-
listed the world was progressing, and that
the discussion was becoming ancient
history"
Mr. Roberts here asked the Senator if he
! thought Congress understood at the time
Utah was admitted that the President of the
M United States tat would APP appoint int to Federal
| pOlygamy? s-El -
Senator Rawlins should, answer the aues
/ ton. He finally prpceeded. saying that
for years polygamy had prevailed in Utah
Under it many people had established
the proclamation of the Mormon Church
forbidding further, cpolygamous marriages
had given general satisfaction, and it was
commonly accepted that the practice would
At Fridays and Saturdays sessions
Mr.. Roberts was heard, in his own defense
and was sharply called TO account by Chair
man Tayler for statements which, it was
claimed the evidence did not Justify
Mr.. Roberts took up IA typewritten state
ment reviewing in detail the proceedings
of his case up to date. He dwelt with specia
emphasis on the right of a constituency
to determine upon the moral capacity o
member. at is left to those constituents
TO determine" he said, what shall be tho
moral status Of the man they wish to senC
to Congress as their representative, and no
| to the II ouseS of Congress"
Mr.. Roberts took up the evidence of the
witnesses who appeared against him, ant
analysed in general questioning the direct
ness and conclusivenesS of the testimony
at has not even been established" he
said, that b. II. Roberts was ever mar
ried to Margaret C. Ship Roberts"
1t had been shown that he was seen neal
the house, and once in the house. But
| there was no testimony of marriage, moth,
| ing as to their maintaining marital rela
tions, nothing as to their being seen at the