New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-06
ROBERTS HAS A HEARING.
ARGUING HIS OWN CASE BEFORE THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE.
HE ASSERTS HIS RIGHT TO A SEAT AND DECLARES
THAT HE is BEING 'HoUNDED'-Ex-sEC-
RErARY CARLIsLEs OPINION.

THAT HE is BEING 'HoUNDED'-
RErARY CARLIsI.E's OPINION.
Washington. Jan. 5.-The Roberts Investigating
Committee continued its session to-day with large
number of interested spectators present Among
these was Miss Roberts, who followed attentvely
the argument presented by her father. Chairman
Tayler said that he had received from exSecretary
John G.. Carlisle letter giving his views the
case. in part - follows:
has been abandoned, at least nothing is said
about it the The record Of Robe o
comply with the law as l understand 1t, and
State upon a certificate based upon that record
The resolution under which the committee d is
only upon Roberts's prima facie right, but on his
dence Unless it Shows that he was guilty of unlaw
full cohabitatior since March last, when he claims
the testimony shows prima facie that he has been
so cohahiting but this is not material in my oPn
TO inquire into conduct prior to March, 1893 be
a polygamist ever since he married his first plural
wife, within the meaning of that term as DENIED
Ramsey case. He is at this very moment a poiyga-
mist not having at any time bS fh 3a or
riages cohabtation with the alleged wives is not
whether the Committee will decide on the question
of final right that undoubted polygamist who
shall be allowed to hold a seat in the House
1t determined by the committee to ask Mr.
Carlisle for his views more at length on the gen
eral right of Congress to exclude member Mr..
Roberts then began his argument. AS stand
face to face with the task of presenting this case
he said. Il could we'll wish to have some master
hand, one trained in legal argument and per-
suasive ability I fully conscious that do not
have that training knowledge Of the law ana
have been compelled throughout to get along as
best I could with such general information or the
law and presidents as 1 possessed
Mr.. Roberts dwet with special emphasis on the
right Of a constituency to determine the moral
capacity of a member. 1T is left to those con-
stituents determine" he said, what shall be
the moral status of the man they wish to send to
Congress as their representative. and not to the
houses Of Congress" He declared that to Utah,
one of the great silver producing States repre-
sentation had been denied of late, while the I'M
portant financial bill, vitality involving Utah's sill
yer mining and silver industry, was considered
and passed. He analysed the evidence OF wit
nesses and in general questioned the dlrectness
and conclusiveness of the testimony 1T has not
even been established" he said, that B, III. Rob-
erts was ever married to Margaret c. Shipp Rob-
erts."
How do you account for your picture being
found in her house?" inquired Chairman Tayler.
Il don't know how to account for IT, answered
He challenged the charge that he had contracted
Mr. Tayier said he had never heard of such a
charge. three polygamous marriages Woulu
"a ch h9IE th said Mr. Roberts
it is one of the charges on which excitement has
been worked up"
When Mr.. Roberts sought to read published com
ment tending to show the motive of the crusade
and cause" against him. Chairman Tayler stopped
him. The committee had nothing to do with any
crusade Mr. Tayler said. but was trying to ascer-
tain whether Mr.. Roberts is a polygamist.
Mr.. Roberts Vehemently acclaimed against those
who had 'hounded" him. They were not the bank,
ers merchants. lawyers and other substantial
citizens of Utah, he said. but were in the main
missionaries who had gone to Utah to oppose
Mormonism.
At one point Representative Mcpherson asked;
'UTnder faith, the taking or plural wives
merely allowable 1t required?''
1T was mandatory replied Mr.. Roberts, "ac-
cording to the view of leading Mormon authori-
ties
Mr.. Roberts continued until 4:3o p. m, when he
asked that the hearing go over. The committee
adjourned until 10 a. m. tomorrow, when Mr..
Roberts will finish his argument.