Roberts, Brigham Henry

was born in Warring ton, England, March 13, 1857, came to America and settled in Utah, 1866. After graduating at the Deseret University (1878) he became an editor i at writer on Utah papers. Embracing Mormonism, he became an enthusiastic advocate of the doctrine of that sect, wrote several books on the swbject and married four wives, with whom he continues to hold marriage relations. He was a member of the Utah Constitutional Convention (1895) and was defeated for Congre the same year. He was nominated again in 1899, and this time elected by a plurality of more than 4,000 votes. A great popular protest was made sgainst permitting him to take bis seat in Congre . After the matter was thoroughly debated, as to the power of Congre to refuse a seat to a member-elect, it was decided by a large a majority that Roberts was disqualified because of his polygamous relations to four wives in violation of the Edmunds law and the Utah statutes making bigamy a crime. On February 17, 1900, a sixteenth amendment to the Constitution was proposed making polygamy a crime and disqualifying polygamists for election as Senators or Representatives. Roberts, Benjamin 8. (1811-1875), was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for services in the Mexican War. He served as chief of cavalry under General Pope in 1862, and fought at Cedar Mountain and Bull Run. 176