Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-23
POlYGAMOUS POSTMASTERS
Investigation Into the Matter by the House
Committee.
n Petition Put in Evidence
The Bricfing Clerks
Explanation.

Inc po!yeamy cases of the Utah post
masters came before the House committee
on post offices and post roads again today.
Inc object of the resolution before the
committee is to ascertain whether the
President appointed Orson Smith and las.
Gfaham to be postmasters, knowing them
10 De polygamists. or whether the officials
OF the post office were aware of their po'yg-
amy
The evidence thus far has shown that
letters were on file in the Post Office De-
partment alleging their polygamous reIa-
ions. These We're filed after their appoiut-
ment. in the recess of Congress bur prior,
to their nomination and confirmation by
the Senate. No evidence has been produced
to show that any official was aware of
these letters. or that even the subordi-
mates had examined them but that they
were overlooked in the great mass of cor
reSpondence in the Post Office Department
one OF The letters signed by Rev Mr.
Cicmenson, WAS published in The Star las
Friday.
Petition of Protest.
Another protest, in the form of a peti-
ton signed by a number of residents o:
Logan City, Utah. was put in evidence at
this mornings hearing.
The petition is dated December, G. 1sa7
Der 81 and docketed in the Post Office De-
partment December IS 1t sets forth that
orson Smith, the appointee is not a fl;
person to hold this position. or any other
position under the United States
First. Because he is an ecclesiastic of the
Mormon Church holding a high position
which takes up all mis- time.
second. That he is living in omen viola
uon OF the laws of the United St-tes and
constitution OF the state of Utah. in that
ne holdS poiySamouS relations with from
TWO TO liVe women, certainly two and prob
ably five women. that Two Of the women
nave young babies from three to six months
old.
Third. That he has married plural wife
within three months, thereby repudiating
all promises made by his church when the
state was admitted.
Mr. Drury's Testimony.
This petition was briefed in the depart
ment by Mr.. II. y. Drury. chief of the sec
tion which includes Utah. Mr. Drury was
examined by the committee today. a sum-
mary of his evidence shows that he has no
recollection of ever having read the charges
Of polySamy against Smith. The depart
ment was receiving at that time 1900
letters day. divided among fourteen
desks 1t was a physical impossbii;y to
read the whole of each communication
and it was evident that he had read the
beginning of petitions showing it to be a
protest against Smiths Mormonism. for he
had lndorsed on the jacket that the protest
was that Smith was IAN out and out Nor
mon.
Mr. Drury said he had no recollection of
ever reading the charges of polyg&my, and
ne was amozed when the charge came ont
about the pClygamist postmasters He said
that The protests against an appointment
did not go to the President nor 10 the SEN
ate. 1t was only customary to notify the
appointing powers when serious of criminal
charges were made. and there was nothing
on the jacket to indicate charges of such
character.
1t was brought out that Mr. Drury was
not a partisan republican, who might
nave a motive in suppressing the inforna-
tion. He was democrat
All Papers Submitted.
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow was present at the hearing. and de-
clared that he never knew of the polygamy
charges until recently. He submitted 10
the committee all the papers on file respect
ing these cases, but said that nothing re-
latinS to polygamy was contained therein
A subcommittee, consisting of Mr. Brom-
We'll Mr.. Mcpherson and Mr.. Swanson, was
appointed to examine these Dapers