The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-04
Says He Has FIUe Vices and Con-
hnues to Lice with Them, DESPITE Lazv

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
l preferred to face the law. l could not
disgrace myself, L could not degrade my
do you consider it an abandonment of
your family not to maintain marriage rela-
tions?' Mr.. Tayler asked.
MR.. BEVERIDGE OBJECTS.
Mr.. Smith faced Mr.. Tayler, and in a
low but penetrating voice. said II don't
like to be impertinent, but L should like
you to ask any woman who is a wife"
At this point Mr.. Foraker and Mr.. Bev-
eridge objected, and in discussing the ques-
tiOns both expressed the opinion that the
witness had stated fully that he had
violated the laws and that he had been
frank in regard TO his reasons and finally
that the committee was advised on that
subject. Mr.. Foraker said that after such
a statement as had been made by Mr..
Smith 1t was unnecessary to ask the wit
ness concerning his opinions on the sub
ject OF good morals.
Mr.. Burrows asked Mr.. Smith if he had
married any wives between the first and the
last that he had mentioned during his state
ment to the committee.
Il have said Mr.. Smith.
How many?'
Three"
Then you have five wives now?" said
THAT is correct" was the response
Mr.. Burrows ruled that the question OBJ
JeCleu 10 WAS III order ana directed the
stenographer to read the question.
How many children have you had since
the manifesto of 1902 was read.
Eleven since 1890 said Mr.. Smith Con-
tinuing he said: Each of my five wives
have borne me children
Since that timer" asked Mr.. Burrows
Since that time the witness repeated in
answer
II rather think" he added. that one of
them had three children, could tell you a
little later"
-ogI IL,
had attended the dedication exercises at.
the st. Louis exposition and had been ac-
companied by plural wife, Edna Smith,
by name. Senator Smoot had been with
them on that occasion when they had been
photographed in a group.
In reply TO a question by Senator SmoOt
he said: Each of my, families has home
OF its own, in Salt Lake City and compar-
atlvely near to each other. Since the man.
1feSto my custom has been to live with my
flrst wife at her home, but L have visited
my other families"
THE TEASDALE CASE.
Asked about Charles Teasdale, one of
the twelve apostles, Mr. Smith said he
knew nothing of his present domestic re-
lations. He thought, however, that until
two or three years ago Mr.. Teasdale had
had two wives. Mr.. Smith was asked
about Apostle John w. Taylor. and he said
he is reputed to be a polygamist II could
not say of my own knowledge"
Gould an apostle be polygamist with
out your knowledge" asked Senator Du-
bOis.
|. mo. sir; not unless he violates the rules
| or the church, and L don't think any of
| them would do that"
Then why say think and Il suppose %
Because, replied the witness, Il never
saw any OF them married to any woman
Mr. Smith said that Apostles Merrill and
Heber J. Grant are reputed to be polyga-
mists; he had seen two women who were
| pointed out Mr.. Grants wives Mr.
| Grant is now in Europe in the interest of
| the church. He has with him his second
wife John Henry Smith is. the witness
also said, the husband of two wives He
| is kinsman of mine," he said, land L
know positively about him.
did you ever advise him to desist from
| the polygamous practice?"
Il never did; l could not consistently do
so while L myself was practicing the sys-
tenn"
| Mr.. Smith was asked about other apos-
| ties. Mr.. COWley is, he said, reputed DO
| lygamist. Roger Clason is not. He was
| especially questioned concerning +. NJ.
| Lyman, president of the apostles and in
| said that Mr.. Lyman being present should
| answer for himself, but the committee in
| sisted and he replied that Mr.. Lyman was
| reputed to have two wives.
| Have any of these men taken plural
wives since the manifesto of 1902" asked
Senator Beveridge
| II repeat said Mr.. Smith, bringing his
| hand down on the table with some en-
| phasis, that since the manifesto of 1880
| no man has entered into plural maria ge
with the knowledge or approval of the
| church."
Mr.. Tayler asked how many wives Mr..
! Smith had in 1890.
Five said Mr.. Smith He was ques-