The Washington times., 1904-04-20

Yes, suppose so, 'HAS the "
Following the line of the testimony
given by President Joseph F. Smith,
read of the Mormon Church, six weeks
ago. Mr.. Roberts coOlly admitted his
defiance of both church and state law.
and pleaded the same excuse his spir-
ituaI chief had given
In contrast to the testimony of Presi-
oent Smith as to his own acts, how
ever Roberts today told of having mar
rico a third wife. who for years con-
tmued TO &c by the name of her former
husband and continued to live in the
house where that individual made his
home In Salt Lake City. At last the
secret came out, but no punishment or
ever reprimand was visited by the
church or anyone concerned
Opening the Hearing.
The committee was called to order at
ten minutes before II o'clock. with the
following attendance: Senators Pettus,
Hopkins, Depew, Beveridge, Dubois,
Bailey, Overman and Burrows. chair
man; John c. Carlisle. and Robert w
Tayler. attorneys for the remonstrants;
Augustus S. Worthington and Waldemar
Van Cott attorneys for Senator Smoot;
Franklin s. Richards. attorney for the
Mormon Church; Senator Smoot and his
seeretary, c. E. Badger.
The witnesses present were Brigham
H. Roberts. the cfs1f ch elder who was
sent by Utah TO the House OF Repre-
sentativeS an,. denied seat there
through the efforts of Representative
Tayler. as attorney for the many or
ganizations opposing Roberts; Angus
Cannon. president of the salt Lake
Stake" and patriarch of the church,
and o. W. Powers. OF Salt Lake and
Calvin Cobb. of Boise, E5aho. both Gen
tiles. About fifteen women in fashion
able attire sat on one side of the com
mittee room. in the rear of Attorney
Tayler. Some of them represented the
organizations fighting Senator Smoot
Mr.. Roberts was called to the witness
chair and his examination was begun
by Attorney Tayler, with the usual pre-
liminary questions.
Entry Into Politics.
Mr. Roberts said he first entered poll
tics in 1889. when he began taking an
interest in such matters. In 1894 he was
first elected to Office, as a member of
the State constitutional convention,
AAANL St4N sun
mitted to the people of the State the
next year. In the same year, 1895. he
was a candidate for Congress. and was
defeated by G. Z. Allen.
Witness admitted he had had differ
enceS with the Mormon Church in this
campaign. There had been a contro-
versy whether any men nigh in the
church ought to go into politics The
general view was that such officials
should keep out OF politics Witness
was nominated in his absence from
! Utah and when he said he could not
accept because of the rule named, was
I informed the rule had been changed be-
cause it had eliminated too many OF the
prominent men OF Utah.
Smith Mentioned
Mr.. Roberts described how he inquired
from higher officials of the church
whether the former rule had in fact
! been abrogated. He was told it had
Chairman Burrows asked from whom
he had inquired. and witness replied:
| Pr esidenc Smith.
Witness described incidents following
| in the campaign. the controversy which
arcRs on the point whether officials of
| tE@ vhurch ought 10 seek political places
which would take them away from their
church 1usies, and the general disturb
ance of pubic opinion by the discussion.
Finally the convention was recon
XeleQ. MY. hODGllS WAS IN the GOfi-
var ton and spoke there. He denied he
had shown any bitterness. but said hs
I had spoken vigorously and earnestly
against the church's interference, and
tnat the high officials OF the church
spoke likewise against him.
Trouble With Church.
The recalcitrancy OF Roberts was af-
terward taken UP by the church. witness
said They took the position that his
attitude had mlsrepresented their inten-
rions and they wanted 20 reach an un-
derstanding. They said the preamble of
a declaration made in the campaign,
that they had no intention OF Interfering
in secular affairs. had creatSd A wrong
impression. disadvantageous to the
church
Passing 70 the question of ooIvgamy.
Mr.. Tayler said he presumed ''all intel
ligent men in Utah knew OF the various
laws of the land and of the State as
TO polygamy, and witness replied in the
dent Woodruff was briefly discussed by
attorney and witness 10 show the wit
ness knowledge TO its contents.
Roberts Three Wives.
Witness said he had been married to
his first wife in 1877, to the second in
1886. and to his third wife in. 1890 All
took place in Salt Lake City. His first
wifes name was Smith. the second
wife's name Tibban. At the tl-ird mar
riage, in AItril, 1890, there were no wit
nessec 10 the ceremon-.
At the time OF this third marriage
counsel or to the twelve apostles, witness