The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-21
DOMINATE STATE POLITICS.

The Mormon Church. holding the bal
| ance Of power and dominating the poll.
/ tics of Idaho. as well as of Utah. was
| described by Calvin Cobb publisher OF
| the Idaho Daily Statesman" of Boise
| City In his testimony before the Senatl
/ Committee on Privileges and Elections
1 in the course of the Smoot investiga-
ton today.
He told how the chairmen Of botH
political parties went to Salt Lake City
just before each election, and on theIr
return always said, Its all right ?
when the election was over. however
it was always found that somehow OT
other cog had slipped. witness add.
ed, "and one side had been fooled
The witness started to repeat what
people had tGId him of the visit of a
delegation from The Idaho legislature 10
w. +. Borah, candidate for United
States Senator, and of their demand
that Borah define his attitude. if elect
ed, toward Senator Smoot's retention
in the Senate. Borah refused to COM
NIT himself beyond saying he would
judge the case on it's merits, in a judi
cial way and re was defeated
Further inquiry along this line was
objected to by Mr. Worthington, and
Mr.. Boran will be sent for to speak for
himself
In further substanti ntiation of the. claim
of Mormon domination in Idaho, witness
declared Republicans and Democrats
alike had Joined in telegram of con-
graduation TO Senator Smoot on his
election TO the Senate, both political
parties wishing to retain the support
and good viii of the Mormon element.
Roberts Resumes Stand.
At the opening of the session today,
Brigham II. Roberts. who was on the
witness stand all day yesterday. was
recalled. he began his testimony at ten
minutes before II o'clock. Mr.. Van Cott
taking up the cross-eXaminaucn
Political conditions In Utnh were first
considered. Mr. Van Cott-eadeavoring
TO show that with four noteworthy ex-
ceptions. all the general officials elected
in Utah since e;tatehood was granted.
were Republicans. TO this Mr.. Roberts
assented.
Mr. Tayler asked whether ali the
Democratic successes had been referred
TO. Witness thought they had. Further
queries led TO some uncertainty on the
part OF the witness. who could not re-
call when various candidates had run.
Then you are not very good expert
on political matters, anyhow, are you?''
asked Mr. TayIer
Perhaps not. briefly replied wit
ness
Church Influence.
Mr.. Dubois inquired into church in
iuence in elections and asked:
ssTl, t.nr, xoo,Iloot ap~r c,oo .fo,, ,,r1,or,
candidate having the backing Of the
church. irrespective Of the party he afil-
lated with, was beaten?''
II have no recollection on the sub
ject," responded the witness.
Mr. Tayler. opening a large volume of
the daily editions of the salt Lake
Tribune OF October, 1885, read a polit-
ical statement which witness recalled.
having written il In the form of an in
teryiew. Counsel read, at length, the
article showing the position of church
leaders in political matters and OF wit
ness own participation.
Witness said he recOllected the article
and felt sure 1t was correct as read by
Mr.. Tayler.
Mr. Tayler asked whether witness had
not been again prosecuted for unlaw-
ful cohabitation in 1900. after his return
home from his unsuccessful attempt to
claim his seat in the House Of Repre-
sentatiVeS.
Witness replied in the affirmative. and
said he was once convicted and then
acquitted. the case having gone TO sew
eral courts on statement Of facts
agreed on by counsel.
Mr.. Dubois inquired of witness as to
the identity OF Ben L. Rich. OF Chat
tanooga. Tenn, referred TO yesterday
afternoon in the course OF testimony
He was identified as the agent of the
Mormon Church in charge of Southern
missions The question was merely for
the purpose Of completing the record OF
evidence.
Much Light on Idaho.
Calvin Cobb. ofsBoise City. Idaho. was
the next witness. He is publisher Of
the Idaho Daily Statesman" a Repub-
lican paper, has lived there since 1855
and Is acquainted with general political
and social conditions fbrouRhouf the