The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-18
Littlefield and Dear
mond Would Expel.
Maine Man viii Prepare and
Opinion on Matter.

Washington, January 1.-THE special
committee OF the House Of Representa-
tives to Investigate the case Of brigham
II. Roberts of Utah. today reached con-
ciusion. On the polysamous status Of
Mr.. Roberts the committee was unani-
nous and agreed upon formal state
ment Of facts.
On the question Of procedure to be
adopted, the committee was divided. The
majority, consisting Of all the members
except Littiefieid of Maine and De Ar
mond OF Missouri, favored exclusion ut
the outset. Messrs. Littlefield and De
Armond will make minority report
favorable to seating Mr.. Roberts on his
priins facie rights and then expsiling
him.
Tie statsmsn snt OF facts found by the
committee Is as follows;
"We lnd that B. II. Roberts was
elected as representative to the Fifty
sixth Congress from the State Of Utah,
and was at the date OF his election above
the age of 25 years; that he had oeen for
more than seven years naturalized ciu-
zen of the United States and was an in
nabitant OF the State of Utah.
"we further find shat about 1878 he
married Louisa Smith, his first and law
full wife, with whom he has ever since
lived as such and who, since their mar
riags has borne him six children.
"That about 1885 he married, as his
plural wife, Celia Dibble, with whom no
has ever since lived as such and who,
since such marriage has borne him six
children, of whom she last were twins,
torn Augutt II, 1887.
"That soiae years after his said msrri-
age to Celia Dibbls he contracted another
plural marriage with Margaret 9. shipp,
with whom he has since lived In the
habit and repute of marriage. Your COM
mittee is unable TO fix the exact date of
this marriage. 1t does not appear that he
held her out as his wife before January,
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 bis campaign for election and
were not denied by him.
"That the testimony bearing on these
facts was taksn in the presence Of Mr.
Roberts and that he fully cross-exsmined
the witnesses, but declined to place HIM
self on the witness stand"
The eliminating session OF the COM
mittas today followed many prolonged
execl tive SESSIONS which left no doubt
as to the att tude OF ths several member
with the exception of Mr.. Miers Of Indi-
ana, who has been out of the city. He
eturDed today and 1t was determined to
bring tine matter to direct issue. Ac-
cordingly, when they met, MIR. McPher-
con of Iowa offered resolution for the
exclusion of Roberts. Mr.. DeArmond
immediately proposed substitute recog-
nizing the constitutional right of Roberts
providing for his expulsion.
There was no discussion beyond infor
NAL remarks, and the vote was first
taken on Mr.. DeArmond's substitute, Mr..
Little1eld joining him In the affirmative
and others voting in opposition. Inc
vote was then taken on Mir. McPherson's
motion to exclude, resulting as follows:
Yeas-Messrs. Tayisr of Ohio, Frear,
Morris and MCPHERSON, Republicans;
Lanham and Miers. Democrats.
Nays-Messrs. Littlsfleld, Republican;
DeArmond, Democrat.
Chairman Tayler was authorized to
prepare the majority report. 1t will lie
ready in few days and the prospects ars
that the subject will be brought before
the House early next week.
Mr.. DeArmond win submit the views
OF the minority. HS will include an
exhaustive review OF the law, covering
about 20 typewriter pages, prepared by
MIR. Little1sld. The main point Of this Is
that the House cannot add to the require
ments that the only constitutional reme-
dy is TO admit and then expsl on the
finding OF facts.
Chairman Tayler says the report Of the
committee win be made on Saturday
and that the subject win be taken up In
the House next Tuesday.