The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-21
Brigham II. Roberts Boldly Ad-
mits to Senators He Is Still
Practicing Polygamy.
WILL NOT BETRAY TRUST
Says He Could Not Tell OF En-
dOwment-T1ouse Ceremony
Without Losing Caste.
HE HAS PLURAL WIVES
Didn't Tell Nos. I and When He
Married No. 3 for Fear OF
Embarrassing Them.

WASHINGTON. April 2o-with the re-
opening OF the investigation in the Reed
smOot case. before the Senate committee
on privileges and elections, the prosecu-
ton devoted considerable time to drawing
from Brigham H. Roberts the character OF
the oaths which are said to be necessary for
Mormon official to take in order TO have
the support of the church for political
office. Members OF the committee showed
an equal interest In the obligations which
are said TO be taken by MOrmons who go
through the endowment house" Along both
lines much evidence was brought out 1t
was shown by Mr.. Roberts's testimony
that without the consent of the Mormon
Church he failed OF election TO seat in
Congress and later with church recOgni-
ton OF his candidacy, ne was elected. In
relation TO the endowment house oSliga-
ton Mr.. Roberts was extremely reticent.
He said that the sacredness of the cere-
mony was such that he could not reveal IL
to the world and that if he did he
would lose caste with the church as having
betrayed a secret.
Portions of the testimony given by Mr..
Roberts, especially in regard 10 his reasons
for maintaining polygamous relations with
his plural wives. was almost a duplication
VI the testimony given Dy otner pOlyga-
mists who have been on the stand He said
he regarded the laws OF God as higher than
the laws of the land and that his moral
obligation to his wives was greater than
both the laws of God and man.
In beginning his testimony, Mr. Roberts
said he elected to the position of one
of the first seven presidents in 1888 and en-
tered politics about 1889. His interest was
manifested in making speeches, but he
was not a candidate for office until 1894.
He then was elected as a member of the
constitutional convention and that he had
accordingly consented not to urge his can
didacy. He was nominated during his alb
sence and was informed that the order had
been rescinded. He said that Joseph +.
Smith was the member of the first presi-
dency who said the ruling had been modi-
efid- He explained fully certain criticisms
which had been made of an alleged infu-
ence which the first presidency and apos-
ties had brought to bear against the pres
ent aspirations of himself and Moses
Thatcher because their attitude was not in
harmony with the Democratic convention
which adopted a declaration of principles
against the church influences. Mr.. Rob
erts said he protested and later the church
defeated the FIRST time he ran for con.
gress. He thought the last child was born
three or four years ago.
GLOfSAL D1AhRlAGE-
In response to questions of Mr.. Tayler,
Mrs Roberts said his first plural marriage
was performed by d. II. Wells, counsel to
the apostles. and he thought the ceremony
performed at the nome of Mr..
Wells's son.
Senator Overman inquired of Mr. Roberts
whether his first wife and his second wife
had consented to his third wife.
ssNo air said Mr. Roharfs Co,tir,,sx.~
he said they did not learn of the marriage
for three four years.
"Hows that asked Senator Beveridge
do you mean to say that the marriage
was not known TO anyone?"
1T was known to some Of my friends,
but not to my. wives was the answer.
why this marriage concealed from
Them" asked Chairman Brown
Because l didn't want to embarrass
them
How embarrass them?"
''Well, we knew the marriage was illegal
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 DIR. Shipp and in regard
to his courtship he said he always had met
her at the house OF mutual friends and
had never called on her at her home He
also said that she continued to live in her
home, but that he never had called on her
there until she removed TO rooms on Main
street. Salt Lake.
Mr.. Tayler asked Mr.. Roberts if 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
NO RECORD OF MARRIAGE.
Senator Dubois asked in regard to the
secrecy of his marriage and declared that
he Dubois) believed Mr. Wells. who mar
ried him, represented the Mormon authori-
ties The witness believed that said Sem
ator Dubois, because of Mr.. Wels's posi-
ton as counsel TO the apostles. According
to Mr.. Roberts. he said, there is no record
of his last marriage, though the ceremony
is the same that which was used in his
other marriages
Chairman Burrows desired TO know
whether Mr.. Wells knew the witness had
wife living when he married the third
wife
He did, said Mr. Roberts. 'he mar
Mr.. Pettus asked IL the church ever had
reprimanded him or the high official who
nothing had been said TO him.
Mr. Taylor asked Mr.. Roberts why he
thought il incumbent upon him to take
From boyhood." he replied. Il had been
taught the rightfulness of plural marriages.
of God. | knew that this practice was con-
trary TO the mandates OF Congress- but be-
neyed-that the law of God the highes,
rule. and felt impelled to obey it
T, Chairman Burrows asked a number OF
pointed questions. which brought the CON
fession from Mr.. Roberts that he still be-
lieves in and Il practicing polygamy He
said that he believes the Woodruff mani
festo diviEeiy inspired. and that now
In practicing polygamy. he knew be Is dis
obeying both the laws OF the land and the
laws OF God.
He was asked why he continued To dis
obey the laws OF God IL he believed them tc
: be the highest laws. and with resigned
air he said. We'll, the manifesto left me
IN the midst OF obligations TO these wives
] am trying to do the best l can to live
within the laws, but these obligations
cannot shirk.
HIS CONVICTION IN 1889
Mr.. Tayler asked concerning Mr.. Rob.
ertss conviction In 1889 of the crime OF
posygamy
Senator Bailey objected TO the line OF
inquiry in regard To Mr.. Roberts's convic
ton and Mr.. Roherts's service In the pen
itentiary. He said he thought the ad
mission OF the witness that he had VIC
lated the laws was sufficient.
Mr.. Tayler said this was to determine
whether the authorities OF the Mormon
CONTINUED on PAGE 8. COL. 3D.