Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-20

twenty-five years president of the Salt Lake
stake, the largest Mormon stake I'm Utahl
L. e. Abbott, former sheriff of Davis coun-
ty, Utah, and a Mormon; Judge o. w. Pow
ers, formerly of the Utah courts, who has
sentenced number of Mormons upon their
conviction of polygamy; Calvin Cobb, pro.
prietor of the Boise, Idaho, Statesman: d.
Barthell of Nashville, Tenn, and Moses
Thatcher, eN-apostle of the Mormon
Church, who was disciplined by the church
because of his political aspirations. At the
former hearing more than dozen witnes sses
were examined.
was a large number of persons at the
door seeking admission. AS many as pos
sible OF these were taken care OF, but on
account of the limited capacity OF the
room 1t WAS necessary again to have
member of the Capitol police on guard,
in order to maintain a passa geway TO
and from the room. Among the specta-
tors were visiting members OF the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution, which
society yesterday adopted resolutions
protesting against Mr.. Smoot retaining
his seat in the Senate.
Brigham H. Roberts Called.
The hearing opened without formality
of any character. Brigham II. Roberts
was called TO the stand by Mr.. Tayler.
He was questioned to bring out a state
ment of his official connection with tho
church.
Mr. Roberts said he was elected to the
position of one of the first seven presi.
dents in 1888 and entered politics about
1889. His interest was manifested in
making speeches, but he was not cam
didate for office until 1894. He then was
elected as a member of the constitutional
convention, which met in 1898. He ex-
planned his candidacy for Congress and
the opposition that had developed from
Mormon sources. He said the church had
opposed the election OF high officials Of
the church to membership of the con-
stitutional convention and that he had
accordingly consented not to urge his
candidacy.
He was nominated in his absence and was
informed that the order had been rescind-
ed. He said that Joseph f. Smith was the
member of the first presidency who said
the ruling had been modified. lie explain
ed fully certain |eriticisms which had been
made of an alleged influence which the first
presidency and apostles had brought to bear
against the present aspirations of himself
and Moses Thatcher, because their attitude
was not in harmony with the democratic
convention which adopted declaration of
principles against the church influence.
Mr.. Roberts said he protested, and later
the church took up his protests. MIR. Rob-
erts was defeated he first time he ran for
Congress, but was elected the second time,
owing to the withdrawal of the church op-
position
Mr.. Roberts said he has three wives. one
married in 1877, the second in 1856 and the
third in 1890. He said he has had children
wife since his election to Congress He
thought the last child was born three or
four years ago.
In response to questions of Mr.. Tayler
Mr.. Roberts said his first plural marriage
was performed by d. III. Wells, counsel to
the apostles. and ne thought the ceremony
vas performed at the home of Mr.. Wells
SON
Did Not Tell His Other Wives.
Senator Overman inquired of Mr. Rob-
erts whether his first wife and his second
wife had consented to his third wife
mo, sir" said Mr.. Roberts Continuing
he said they did not learn of the marriage
for three or four years.
How was that?' asked Senator Rever-
idge. do you mean to say that the marri-
age was not known to any one?"
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 Burrows.
Because / did not want to embarrass
them"
How einbarrass them7"
.sWell, we knew the marriage was Il
legal and Il might be embarrassing TO them
IL they should for any reason be called on
TO testify"
Mr. Roberts said his third wife was the
divorced wife of DR.. Shipp. and in regard
to his courtship he said he always had msa