The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-01-05

Washington. Jan. 4-The Roberts in
vestigating committee resumed its ses-
sions today for the purpose Of hearing
arguments and bringing the inquiry to
an early conclusion. It was expected
ex-Secretary John G. Carlisle would be
present to sum up the case against
Roberts and that Mr.. Roberts, person
ally. would make the argument in his
own behalf Word came from Mr.. Car
Isle, however, that he had not under
stood his personal presence was desiT-
ed, but he was ready to submit written
arguments on any Of the questions in
vOlved.
Chairman Tayler of Ohio stated that
the statement Of witness, absent in
Utah. had been received, but as Mr.
Roberts declined 10 admit it in an in
formal manner. the matter would have
TO be taken up later.
Mr.. Roberts said he wished to pre-
sent a matter tending to show the un-
trustwOrthiness of witnesses appear
against him. II Included a publis2-1
card signed by Thomas J. Brandon, dis
claiming having given out certain IN
formation relative TO Roberts; also
court records. in which Roy Brandon
was a party
Evidence Is Refused.
Mr.. Roberts also offered a telegram
from the prOprietors OF The salt Lake
Herald concerning the testimony of Z.
A. Mcdaniel. Tayler excluded the
telegram, however, saying there was
no color OF right or prOpriety in receiv-
ing a telegram as testimony, in view Of
Mr.. Roberts refusal TO admit the state
ment Of the absent Utah witnesses.
AIr Schroeder. head Of the Gentle
delegation here to oppose Roberts, thea
opened the argument against Roberts
The argument was largely technical,
and was divided under three general
heads. viz: First, whether or not the
mamber-elect has the constitutional
qualifications including citizenship,
second, whether or not the constitution
al provisions as to citizenship includes
one who has impaired his citizenship by
crime or unlawful status and whether
Mr.. Roberts has 50 impaired his cii-
zenship; third, whether member-elect
has the statutory qualifications. and
whether the house has the power TO es-
tablish qualifications beyond those in
the constitution. ----
Mr.. Schroeder's Argument.
EIr. Schroeder read from many law
books concerning these propositions.
The evidence clearly shows. Pro
ceeded Mr.. Schroeder, that since 1850
Mr.. Roberts has been in the status Of
q pOlygamist, and the question is as 10
the effect of this status"
He said that while Utah vas a ter
ritory thsCe was no doubt as TO Roberts
Acknowledgement under the Edmunds-
Tucker act. And when Utah was ad-
mitted to statehood, Mr.. Schroeder con-
tended that Mr.. Roberts citizenship
was stlIl impaired. The status Of pOlyg-
amy was such that Roberts could rot
relieve himself from it without some
affirmative act As to the right Of the
house to exclude, Mr.. Schroeder said:
Suppose a raving maniac should pre-
sent himself at the bar of the house and
ask admission on proper credentials,
could not the house. in self-pTOtecJiOn.
deny him admission Suppose a man
afflicted with leprOsy presented himself,
would not the house have power to keep
him out2'
hIr. Schroeder said Roberts mad ad-
United his relationship with his plural
wives He had publicly said he would
be - if he would give up his wives.
This was an offense against the public
morals as again the law. and Mr..