The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-18
ROBERTS A POLYGAMIST
STATEMENT BY THE SPECIAL COM
MITTEE OF THE HOUSE.
Utah's Representative Found to Have
Contracted Plural Marrfases-A
Division Of Opinion.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE special
committee of the House of Representatives
to investigate the case of Brigham H.
Roberts, of Utah, to-day reached final
conclusion. On the polygamous status of
Mr. Roberts the committee was unanimous
and agreed on a formal statement of facts.
On the question of procedure to be adopted,
the committee was divided. The majority,
consisting of all the members except Little
field, of Maine, and De Almond, Of Mis-
souri,, favored exclusion at the outset.
Messrs. Littlefield and De Almond will
make a minority report favorable to seat
ing Roberts on his prima facie rights and
then expelling him. The statement of facts
found by the committee follows:
I'VE 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
twenty-five years; that he had been for
more than seven years a naturalized citizen
of the United States and was an inhabitant
of the State of Utah.
I'VE further find that about 1878 he mar
ried 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.
About 1856 he married as his plural wife
Ceud D1DDle, WITH WnOm ne mas 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.
That some years after his said marriage
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 ex-
act date of this marriage. 1t does not ap-
pear that he held her out as his wife before
Jan. /, 1897, or that before that date she
held him out her husband or before
that date they were reputed to be husband
and wife.
'"That these facts were generally known
in Utah, publicly charged against him dur
ing his campaign for election and were not
denied by him.
facts was taken In the presence OF Mr..
Roberts and that he fully cross-examined
the witnesses, but declined to place him
self on the witness stand"
The eliminating session Of the committee
to-day followed many prolonged executive
sessions which left no doubt as to the at
titude Of the several members, with the ex-
ception of Mr.. Miers, of Indiana who had
been out of the city. He returned to-day
and 1t was determined to bring the matter
to a direct issue Accordingly when the
committee met, Mr.. Mcpherson. of Iowa,
offered a resolution for the exclusion of
Mr. Roberts. Mr.. De Almond Immediately
proposed a substitute recognizing the con-
stitutional rights of Roberts TO take his
seat on MS credentials ana providing Tor
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. The vote was
then taken on Mr.. MCPHERSON motion to
exclude, resulting as follows:
Yeas-Tayler, Freare, Morris and Nc
Pherson, Republicans; Lanham and Miers.
Democrats.
Nays-Littlefield. Republican,; De Almond.
Democrat.
Chairman Tayler was ordered to prepare
the majority report. II will be ready on
Saturday and the subject will be brought
before the House next Tuesday. Mr.. De
Almond will submit the views of the
minority. He will include the exhaustive
review Of the law, covering about seventy
typewriter pages, prepared by Mr.. Little
field. The main point OF this is that the
House cannot add to the requirements pro-
vided by the Constitution for admission TO
the House and the only constitutional rem
edy is to admit and expel on the finding OF
facts.