, 1904-04-21
He TALKED FREELY
BRIGHAM H. ROBERTS UNBLUSH-
INGLY TOLD OF HIS THIRD
PoLYGAMoUS MARRIAGE.
Did Not Tell the First and Second
Wives of this Affair AS He Did Not
Care to Embarrass Them-Mrs.
Roberts Number Three was d.
vorced Wife of Doctor Ship.

Washington. April 2i.-What may be
termed the second round of the Reed
Smoot contest opened yesterday be-
fore the senate committee on privi-
leges and elections. 1t was announced
that seven witnesses would be heard
before the adjournment of congress
and it Is practically certain that the
committee will then adjourn to on
vene July IS. AT that time will be ex-
amined witnesses who were unable to
come to Washington and others who
could not be reached with
to come here.
The hearing opened without formal
ity of any character. Brigham H.. Rob-
erts was called to the stand by Mr..
Tayler.
Mr.. Roberts said he was elected to
the position of one of the first seven
presidents in 1883, and entered poll
tics about 1889. His interest was
ifested in making speeches, but he
was not a candidate for Office until
1894. He then was elected as a mem
Der of the constitutional convention
and that he had accordingly consented
not to urge his candidacy. He was
nominated during his absence and was
informed that the order had been re-
scinded. He said that Joseph F. Smith
was the member of the first presidency
who said the ruling had been modified.
He explained fully certain criticisms
which had been made of an alleged in
Huence which the first presidency and
apostles had brought to zeal against
the present aspirations of himself and
Moses Thatcher, because their attitude
was not in harmony with the democrat
ic convention which adopted the dec
laration 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-. He thought
his last child was born three or four
years ago.
In response to questions of Mr.. Tay-
Ter Mr.. Roberts said his first plural
marriage was performed by D. H.
Wells, counsel to the apostles, and he
thought the ceremony was performed
at the home of Mr.. Wells son.
Senator Overman inquired of Mr..
second wife had consented to his mar
riage to his third wife.
NO, sir" said MI. Roberts. Contin-
uing, he said they did not learn of the
marriage for three or four years.
How was that" asked Senator Bev-
eridge.
DO you mean to say that the mar
riage was not known to any one?"
1T was known to some of my friends,
but not to my wives" was the answer.
why was the marriage concealed
from them?" asked Chairman Bur
rows.
Because | did not want to embar-
rass them"
How embarrass them?"
We'll, We knew the marriage was II.
legal and it might be embarrassing tC
them if they should for any reason be
called on to testify"
Mr.. Roberts said his third wife was
the divorced wife of DR.. Ship, and in
regard to his courtship he said he al
ways had met her at the house of nut
ual friends and had never called OF
her at her home. He said she continued
to live in her home. hut that he neveI
had called on her there until she re
moved to rooms on Main street. Sal
Lake city.
Mr.. Tayler asked Mr.. Roberts if h,
knew hat Maggie Shipp Roberts lv
ed in a house where lived her divorced
husband and two of hir divorced wives
Mr.. Roberts said he was not awar,
of hal fact.