The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-11
CRITCHLOW ON STAND.
Former q. s. Attorney Testi-
fies in Reed SMOOt Case.

Washington, March He. B. Critchr
low of Salt Lake City, formerly assist
ant United States attorney in Utah,
was the first witness today in the
Smoot case. He resumed his statement
il. regard to conditions in Utah and the
prosecutions of poIygamists. An open
letter from Moses Thatcher to Presi-
dent Snow in regard to the platform on
which he had waged his campaign for
senator was introduced and Mr. Critch-
low testified to threats which had been
made against Thatcher in editorials
in the Deseret News. In the legislature
of 1901 was introduced the Evans anti
polygamy bill to limit prosecution for
certain classes of offenses. President
Snow and Joseph F. Smith were in
favor of the bill, said Mr.. Critchlow,
and Mr.. Smoot was quoted as recon-
mending that the matter be left to the
good sense of the people. The witness
told of the passage of the bill, by a vote
of 20 to IT, in the house, the veto by the
governor and the sustaining of the
veto.
| In answer to questions, Mr.. Critchlow
said the governor was a Mormon but
the sentiment of the country demanded
the veto on the grounds that it would
defend the presence of polygamy and
prevent prosecutions of violations of
| the Law against polygamOus cehabita-
ton. The veto by the governor was
put into the record. 1t shows that the
governor feared the passage of the
measure would be followed by a gem
eral demand for a constitutional
amendment directed solely at condi-
tions in Utah and that the demand
would not be ignored. Governor Wells
said the result would be that the whole
state would be put under ban.
The Evans bill prohibited prosecutions
for polygamy except when the husband
or wife filed complaint. Following the
history of the state down to Mr.. Smoot' s
candidacy for the senate, Mr.. Critchlow
said Smoot announced his candidacy
first in 1900 and that the announcement
met @Nith decided opposition from Re-
publicans and others.
The objections were manifested, ac-
cording to the witness, at the Salt Lake
City elections for members OF the leglS-
| lature and in expressions from the min
isterial association of Utah. Mormons
as well as on-MormonS were opposed
to electing an apostle to the senate and
| it was well known to all that the can
! didacy of Mr.. Smoot was not received
with favor. The witness said that lay
men in the Mormon. church felt that
the candidacy of an apostle would be
un wise when it was charged that a
quorum of the first presidency and apos-
ties we're living in sopaf defiance of the
I laws against polygamous cohabitatien-
| Mr. Critchlow referred to an alleged
! interview with Reed Smoot, which was
printed in the Salt Lake City Telegram,
! November 26, 1902, in which Mr.. SmoOt
] is charged with saying that he had no
I knowledge that any apostles of the
church were living in polygamous CO.
habitation. It was stated by the Tele-
gram that Mr.. Smoot was told that if
/ he wanted the information it would be
furnished, accompanied by all dates and
| facts concerning the marriages.
/ Mr.. Worthington objected to the state
ment on the ground that the interview
was denied by Mr.. Smoot, and a long
colloquy followed between counsel and
members of the committee which the
official reporter was directed to ignore.
Later the entire matter was put in the
record.
The committee took a recess until
! afternoon