The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-20
.UTAH'S MORMON OFFICIALS.
INQUIRY INTO THEIR POLYGAM0us
STATUS ny COMMITTEE.
GrOsvenor Flatly Denies That He
Ever Used the Language Attrib-
uted TO Him by Lents-Resents Be-
ing Dragged into the Discussion.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1s.-The inyesti-
cation of the alleged polygamous status
OF several Federal officers In Utah was
Offices. In view of the statement made
Of the resolutions OF Investigation. the
erai smith; j. Addison Porter. secretary
to the president. and Representative
Grosvenor to be present. Before the
formally the right and propriety Of ask
ing the presidents secretary TO- submit
to interrogation, Chairman Loud main
tanning that such ,bs %Sm,d of the
president and an inquiry into executive
affairs.
Grosvenor Flatly Contradicts LentH.
Mr.. Grosvenor made fiat denial Of the
statement made by Mr.. Ientz as TO the
under our feet" In reference to the char
ges. The conversation was informal, MIR.
Grosvenor said, and he would have as
soon expected that a private conversation
with a member of his family would be
brought before the committee as to have
this talk brought here. Mr. Grosvenor
substance tnat the investigation would fall,
there was nothing in the charges. and that
he had taken steps TO learn the facts at
the time of denying them on the floor OF
the house. His denial was based on his
knowledge OF the character of the presi-
dent. He said he had also said to Mr..
Il
was no scrap Of evidence to sustain the
charges. Subsequently. during call at
the White House on another matter, MIR.
Grosvenor said the president remarked to
those present that he had never had a
suspicion that he was appointing any one
guilty of poygamy, as he had never heard
of the charge until 1t was made In the
house.
TO many questions Mr.. Grosvenor en-
phasized his sweeping denial of the lam
guage and differences attributed to him by
NJ 49, tad hn q N Y10 n n
No Attention Directed to Changes.
Postmaster General Smith detailed the
circumstances as far as they had come
to his knowledge, although the two ap-
pointments under consideration were
found, however. that attention. had not
been directed to any charges prior to the
appointment, although subsequently pa
brought to the attention of the higher Of
ficials. One of them was a letter from N.
T. Clemonson: pastor Of the Presbyter,
Personal to the president" stating that
Mr.. Smith, the postmaster at Logansis a
high ecclesiastic of the Mormon church,
also n petition ss reeeived Mr. smith pres s
scented a letter from Mr.. Porter, secretary
to the president, dated yesterday. saying,
receipt Of any letters, petitions or protests
concerning the appointment of John Ora
ham as postmaster at Provo City, Utah.
4 letter addressed to the president, under
vember %. 1897, by N. T. Clemenson, pas
tor Presbyterian church. was referred to
your department. and an acknowledge
writer on November q, 1897. Subsequent
ly petition dated Logan, Utah. December
6, 1897, signed f. w. Nelson, John w.
Boyle, William Braugham and Others re-
lating to the same subject, was received
and acknowledged December II. 1897. This
petition was referred to the postoffice de-
ont rhnr
The hearing went over until next Tues
day.