The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1904-04-21
REED SMOOT CONTEST
BRIGHAM n. ROBERTS TESTiFiES
BEFORE SENATE COMMIT
TEE ON ELECTIONS.
TELLS OF HIS PLURAL MARRIAGES
KEPT FIRST AND SECOND WIVES
IGNORANT OF EXISTENCE
OF THE THIRD.

Washington. April 21.-What may
be termed the second round of the
Reed Smoot contest opened during the
day before the senate committee on
privileges and elections. 1t was an
nounced that seven witnesses would
be heard before the adjournment OF
congress and ii is practically certain
that the committee will then adjourn
to convene iii Salt Lake, Utah, on July
lis AT that time will be examined
witnesses who were unable to come
to Washington and others who could
not be reached with summons to come
here Important testimony for the
prosecution is expected TO be deVel-
oped at this session Of the committee.
The hearing opened without formal
ity of any character. Brigham III.
Roberts was called TO the stand by Mr..
Tayler. He was questioned TO bring
out statement OF his official connee-
ton with the church. Mr.. Roberts
said he was elected to the position or
one of the first seven presidents III
1888 and entered politics about 1889.
His interest was manifested IN max
ing speeches, but he was not a candl-
date for office until 1894 lie then was
elected as a member of the constitu-
tional convention. He explained fully
certain criticisms which had been
made of an alleged influence which
the first presidency and apostles had
brought to bear against the polltlcal
aspirations of himself and Moses
Thatcher because their attitude was
not in harmony with the Democratic
convention which adopted declara-
tion of principles against the church
influence.
Mr. Roberts said he protested and
later the church took up his protests.
Mr. Roberts was defeated the first
time he ran for congress.
In response to questions of Mr.. Tay-
ler Mr. Roberts said his first plural
marriage was performed by d. II.
Wells. counsel to the apostles, and he
thought the ceremony was performed
at the home OF Mr. Wells son.
Third Marriage Kept Secret.
Senator Overman inquired of Mr..
Roberts whether his first wife and his
second wife had consented to his third
wife.
mo, sir" said Mr.. Roberts.
Continuing, he SAID lney dlu Hot
learn of the marriage for three or four
years.
"Iiow was that?" asked Senator
Beveridge. DO you mean to say the
marriage was not known to anyone?'
1T was known to some of my
friends, but not TO my wives" was the
answer
why was this marriage concealed
from them" asked Chairman Bur-
rows
because did not want TO embar-
rass them"
"How embarrass them?"
"Well, we knew the marriage was
illegal and IL might be embarrassing
to them If they should for any reason
be called on to testify"
Mr. Roberts said his third wife was
the divorced wife of Or. Shipp and In
regard to his courtship he said he al
ways had met her at the house or mu-
tual friends and had never called on
her at her home He also said that
she continued to live in her home, but
that ne never called on her there untll
she removed to rooms on Main street,
Salt Lake.
Mr. Tayler asked Mr.. Roberts II he
knew that Maggie Shipp Roberts lived
in a house where lived her divorced
husband and two of his divorced
wives.
Mr. Roberts said he was not aware
OF that fact.