The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-01-20
BRIGHAM A.ROBERIS' 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 He
houIdn be Seated ut All.

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE special
committee of the house of representa-
tives to investigate the case of Brig
ham II. Roberts, of Utah, reached a
final conclusion. On the polygamous
status of Mr.. Roberts, the committee
was unanimous, and agreed upon a
formal statement of facts. On the
question of procedure to be adopted,
the committee was divided.
A Difference ms to the Procedure.
The majority, consisting Of all the
members except Littlefield, of Maine,
and De Almond, of Missouri, favored
exclusion at the outset. Messrs. Lit
tlcfield and De Almond will make n
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.
"We find that b. II. Roberts was
elected as a representative to the Fiji
ty-siNth congress from the state of
Utah and was, at the date of his cleo
ton, above the age of 25 years; that
he had been for more than seven years
n naturalized citizen of the United
States, and was an inhabitant of the
state of Utah.
wife No. 1.
"Wc 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
children.
wife No. 2.
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 August IL, 1897.
Wife No. 3.
THAT some years after his said mar
other plural marriage with Margaret
c. Shipp, with whom he has ever
since lived in the habit and repute of
marriage.
Your committee 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.
Facts Generally known.
"That these facts We're generally
known in Utah. publicly charged
against him during his campaign foi
election, and were not denied by him
"'That the testimony bearingon these
facts was taken in the presence Of Mr.
Roberts, and that he fully cross-eN
nmined the witnesses, but declined Il
place himself OIL the witness stand
The eliminating Session.
The eliminating session of the cor,
nlittee followed many prolonged eX
e%cutive sessions, which left no doubt
as to the attitude of the several mem
beers, with the exception of Mr.. Miers
of Indiana, who had been out OF tn
city. He returned. and it was deter
mined to bring the matter TO a direc
issue. Accordingly. when the commit
tee met Mr.. Mcpherson, of Iowa, of
fered a resolution for the exclusion o
Roberts.
De Almonds Substitute.
Mr.. De Almond Immediately pro
posed a substitute recognizing the con
situtional right of Roberts to take hi
seat on his credentials, and providini
for his expulsion.
There was no discussion beyond in
, formal remarks, and Il vote was frs
, taken on Mr.. DeArmond's affirmative
and the others voting in opposition
, The vote was then taken on Mr.. Mo
Pherson's motion to exclude, result
ing as follows:
Yeas-Tayler (O.), Frear, Morris an
Mcpherson, republicans; Lanham an
Miers, democrats.
> Nays-Littletield, republican; d.
Almond, democrat.
/, To Prepare Reports.
Chairman Tayler was authorized I
; prepare the majority report. 1t wi
he ready in a few days, and the pro
poets are that the subject will |
| brought before the house early ne'
vypeL Mr. De Armond will submit II