Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-03

church does not perform or sanction or
authorize marriage in any form that is
contrary to the laws of the land. The
assertion that prominent MofmonS
practice polygamy is evidently made to
mislead the public. Polygamy under
the law is the marrying of a husband
or wife while the legal husband or VIE
is living and undivorced. There is no
such offense committed by sanction OIL
the Mormon church. But when the pro-
hibition of polygamy was proclaimed
by the president of the Mormon cnurch
there We're many persons who had con-
tracted plural marriages. and that re-
lation has been continued in many IN
stances, because the men in that posi-
ton determined not to abandon their
families, but TO care for and provide
for them and educate and cherish their
children.
This is enormously construed as
pracucing polygamy and creates the
impression that polygamous marriages
are still permitted in and by the church.
1T was ascertained by careful CEN
sus in 1890, when President Woodruff
issued his manifesto against further
such families belonging to the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in
the United States.
In May, 1892, a complete and thor
ough inquiry showed that the original
number of 1890 had been reduced 63 per
cent, leaving then only S97, the great
majority of whom We're of advanced
age. and many of them have since de-
parted from this life. 1t is evident that
with no additions to this total, but a
rapid and continual decrease, the num-
Der of polygamous families will soon be
reduced to zero
President Smith was asked to define
the position of Mr.. Smoot in the church,
his position as an apostle having been
compared to that of q cardinal or arch
bishop in other churches.
THE two positions are not parallel"
President Smith said, IAN apostle of
seventy, or elder, or bishop in the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints is usually in secular vocation, or
laboring in some capacity for his daily
bread. He is ordained to the office he
holds in the priesthood so that he may
act in that calling when required. He
Sl'Ss SCI NiSSS Sidtuitously " lHS
church.
There are instances, of course, when
mans whole time is taken up with
some church duty that he receives re-
Enumeration therefor, but as rule men
holding positions in the priesthood are
engaged in secular callings and are men
OF affairs. Reed Smoot is a banker, the
manager of the largest manufacturing
institution in this state, and is interest
ed greatly in mining operations and
other temporal pursuits. He is recog-
nized as a capable and enterprising cit
izen, and his Lssition in the church
need not interfere in any way with his
services to the state or the nation in
any political office to which he may be
elected. 1t is not true that he has been
put forward by the church as a candi-
date for public Office, but he has the
same right that any other American
citizen enjoys to accept any Office which
his fellow citizens may elect him to oc-
cupy.
Mormon church officials have served
in congress for years, and no objection
has been offered on that account Every
Mormon official has been one holding
the priesthood, and that has never in
terfered with his official duties. The
objection in the present case is with
out substantial reason or foundation"