The Portland daily press., 1900-01-06
Defends Himself Before
Committee.
Challenges Statement That He Is q
POlygamiSt.
His State Sole Judge of
Character.
Mr.. Littleileld Favors Giving
Him Free Rein.

Washington. January 5.-The Roberts
Investigating committee continued its
sessions today with Q larger crowd Of
spectators present.
Among these was Miss Rob erts, the
daughter of the Utah mem ber-slsct. who
sat near him and followed attentively the
argument presented by her father.
Chairman Tayler said at the outset
that he had received from exSecretary
John q. Carlisle q letter giving his views
ON the case, saying: "It seems to me
that the question Of citizenship has been
aban donsd or at least nothing IL said
about It In the Il stimony. The record OF
Roberts's application and admission to
citizenship does not comply with the
law, as understand 1t, and do not
think he would be allowed to vote In any
state upon a certificate based upon that
record.
HThe resolution under which the COM
mittes Is proceeding directs It to ascer-
tain and report not only upon RoDerts's
prima facie right, bat ON his final right.
He seems to have objeotsd to the evil
denoe unless " shows that he was guilty
OF unlawful Capitalization aimee March 4,
last, when he claims to have become u
member OF the House. think the tes-
tiiuony shows prima facis that he has
been cohabiting, but this Is not material
in my opinion, even though the commit
tee had no Jurisdiction to inquire into
conduct prior to March 4, 1889, because
he IL undoubtedly a polygamist ever
since no married his first plural wife,
within the meaning Of that term As de-
fined by the Supreme Court Of the Unit
cd States In the Ramsey case. The ques-
tion IL therefore wht Their the committee
will decide upon this question of final
justified the doctrine and practices OF
poly gamy shall be allowed to hold seat
In the House"
MIR. Roberts the, began his argument.
He dwelt with special emphasis on the
right OF q constituency TO determine upon
the moral capacity of q member.
at Is left to those constituents to- de
termine," he said, "what shall be the
moral status OF the man they wish to
send to Congress rs their rsprssen tive
and not to both houses of Congress-.
In support Of this he read Congress
sionsl report signed by b. II. Butler.
Daniel W. Voorhees, and others, In the
course of which 1t 10 said that the House
Of Represan tAtives shall be composed of
ue n bers chosen by the people Of the state
and not by the representatives Of the 9th
or states according t, the notion Of ne
cessities Of self preservation and self
publication which might suggest them
selves to the reason or caprice Of mem.
bers from other states In any process of
'purgation of publication
Mr.. Roberts declared that Utah, one Of
the great silver Producing statsp, had
been denied representation OF late, while
the important financial bills. virtually
involving Utah's silver mining and sill
yer industry will be considered and
passed. at has not been established, "
he said, "that B. II Roberts was ever
married to Margaret q. Ship Roberts.
1t had been shown that he was seen near
the house and once In the House, but
there was no testimony Of marriage and
nothing as to their maintaining marital
relations,
show do you account for your picture
being found In her house" Inquired
Chairman Tayler.
81 don't know how to account for 1t. -
answered Roberts.
He challenged the charge that he had
contracted three polyagmous marriages.
Mr.. Tayler said he had never heard Of
such charge. ~ three poly gamous mar
riages would mean four marriages In all.
."I challenge this" said Mr.. Roberts,
"bscause 1t Is one OF the charges on
which e1citemsnt has baen worked up"
MIR. Roberts was still arguing when
at IL. 80 recess was taken until 3 p. m.
MIR. Roberts continued his argument
after recess. When he sought to read
published comment tending to show the
motive Of the Crusade" and "oause"
against him, Chairman Tayler stopped
him. The committee had nothing to
do with Any crusade Mr.. Tayler said,
but was trying to ascertain one tact,
namely, whether Mr.. Roberts 10 poly
gamist. The chairman said MIR. Roberts
line OF procedure was irregular.
There was some difference Of opinion
in the committee as to the course to puf-
sue.
LET us settle 1t here and now" said
MIR. Littlstsld, "as far a. am oancsrned,
am ready to hear anything he wants to
say"
Mr.. Taylsr said he wished to enter his
protest against bringing questions Of fact
into the arugmsnt ~ both improper and
ridiculous
Mr.. Roberts vshemsntly exclaimed
against thoss who had "hounded" him.
They were not the bankers, merchants,
lawyers and other substantial citizens
Ut Utah, but they were In the main mis-