The Van Buren press., 1900-01-20
BRIGHAM A.ROB[RIS' CASE
Report of the Committee of Investi-
CATION Will be Adverse to
the Utah Man.
A Difference AS REGARDS PROCEDURE.
A Minority Of Two Members Think
Mr., Roberts should be Permitted
to Take His Seat and Then be Ex-
PEELED Majority Think tie
shouldn't be Seated Mt All.

washington, Juu' io'ih he SPN~
committee of the house of representa-
tives to investigate the case OF Brig
ham IL. Roberts, Of Utah, reached
6nul conclusion. On the polygamous
status of Mr.. Roberts, the committee
s was unanimous, and agreed upon
formal statement of facts. On the
& question of procedure to be adopted,
the committee was divided.
A Difference as to the Procedure.
The majority, consisting OF all the
members except Littlefeid, OF Maine,
and De Almond, of Missouri, favored
I5exclusion at the outset. Messrs. Lit
ltleileld and De Almond will make
minority report favorable to seating
Roberts on his prima facie rights and
these expelling him.
The statement of facts found by the
committee is as follows:
The Committees Findings.
eve find that b. H. Roberts was
elected as u representative to the Fif-
ty-siyth congress from the state OF
Utah and was, at the date Of his elec-
tion, above the age of 25 years; that
ne had been for more than seven years
o naturalized citizen of the United
s.6tates, and was an inhabitant of the
btate of Utah.
wife No. 4.
"We further find that, about 1873,
b. married louisa Smith, his aTst G...aa
lawful wife, with whom he has ever
since lived as such, and who, since
their marriage, has borne him six
children.
wife No. 2.
"About 1885, he married, as his
plural wife, Celia Dibble, with whom
he has ever since lived as such and
fwho, since such marriage, has borne
fhim six children of which the last were
Twins, born August II, 1897.
wife No. 3.
"That some years after his said mar
tiage to Celia Dibble he contracted an
bther plural marriage with Margaret
o. Shipp, with whom he has ever
pincc lived in the habit and repute of
marriage.
"Your committee is unable to fix the
rxact date Of this marriage. 1t does
hot appear that he held her out as his
wife before January /, 1907, or that
before that date she held him ont rs
her husband. or that before that date
lhey were, reputed to be husband and
wife.
Facts Generally Known.
"That these facts were generally
Known in Utah, publicly charged
nganst him during his campaign for
Election, and were not denied by him.
"That the testimony bearingon these
kncts wns taken in the presence Of Mr..
Roberts, and that he fully cross-eX-
lininod the witnesses, but declined to
place himself on the witness stand"
The eliminating Session,
The eliminating session OF the COM
mittce followed many prolonged cX-
Cutlve sessions. which left no doubts
" to the attitude Of the several mem-
bers, with the exception OF Mr.. Micrs,
d Indiana, who had been out of the
clty. He returned and II was deter
: mined to bring the matter to a direct
issue. Accordingly, when the commit
, tee met Mr.. Mcpherson, OF Iowa, Of
lercd resolution for the exclusion Of
Roberts,
M De Almonds substitute.
Mr.. De Almond Immediately pro-
| bbsed substitute recognizing the con-
/, ututionnl right OF Roberts to take his
2 uent on his credentials, and providing
: fpr his expulsion.
/. There was no discussion beyond in
trmnl remarks, and vote was first
y token on Mr. DcArmond's affirmative,
Q Nd the others voting In opposition,
a HE vote wns then taken on Mr., Nc
o phcrson's motion TO exclude, result
Q lng os follows;
}. 'Ycus- -rayler (09, Freor, Morris and
q Mcpherson, republicans Lnnhnm and
Micrs, democrats.
Il Mays LittleHeld, republican; De-
a Armond, democrat
II AN TO Prepare Reports,
"A Chairman Tayler was authorized to
I. pfcparc the majority report 1t will
:. " ready In u few days, and the pros
"A ects nrc TINT the subject will be
!, Wrought before the house early next
b Mfck, Mr.. DeArmond will submit the
"A views OF the minority.
''WN ===sss--=.ss.-=-=
IL senator Gears Recollection.
w NJ l1tas Aotohu In Inn iaAt nono