The Washington times., 1904-01-10
ShOOT NOT ASHAMED
OF HIS MORMONISM
Senator's Reply a Defense
of Faith.
CHALLENGES PRoTEsTANTs
Utah Man Says He Is No Polygamist
Neither Does His Church Preach
Such Doctrine

Senator Shoots reply to the charges
against his retaining his seat in the
Senate was formally laid before the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
yesterday by Chairman Burrows. It
constitutes a document of 500 words.
The committee was In session behind
closed doors for nearly two hours. The
reply was read and subsequently an in
formal discussion or its subject matter
was entered into. II was then made
public.
The attorneys for those who have
made the charges and also the attorneys
Tor Senator Smoot will be asked 70 ap-
pear before the committee at its next
regular meeting on Saturday.
The committee desires to know what
the attorneys for the protestants mean
TO show and what answers will be made
I'm behalf of Ser ator SmoOt The COM
inittee desires especially 20 have point
ed out to IL the points of law which. it
is claimed. are involved. 1t has not
yet been determined whether or not any
witnesses will be summoned by the
committee.
Text of the Reply.
Mr.. Smoot's answer was sworn to be-
fore Notary Public r. B. Nixon. in
Washington. on January 4. In 1t there
are named as his attorneys. Augustus
S. Worthington. OF Washington; Waldo
mar Van Cott. of Salt Lake City. and
". E. Borah. OF Idaho. The Senator
declares. in part. as follows:
Summarized in Two Charges.
"This respondent is advised that but
two OF the charges against him in said
protests are such as, II true, could
legally affect his right TO hold his seat
in the Senate"
These two charges are:
y. That the respondent is a polyga-
mist
80 That he is bound by some oath or
obligation which is inconsistent with
the oath required by the Constitution.
which was administered to him before
he took his seat as a Senator.
Both these charges the respondent
denies.
AS to the charge that he is a polyga-
mist. the respondent says that he was
married on the nth day Of September
1884 to Alpha May Eidridge She is
still his wife. and is the mother OF all
his children. He has never had any
other wife.
Secret Oath Myth"
''As to the charge that the respondent
is bound by some oath or other obiiga-
tion controlling his duty under his oath
as a Senator. the respondent says that
he has never taken any such oath. or in
any way assumed any such obligation
He holds himself bound to obey and up
hold the Constitution and laws of the
United States. including the condition in
reference 10 poIygamy. upon which the
State Of Utah was admitted into the
Cn.cn.
The respondent denies that the
Church OF Jesus Christ of the Latter
Day Saints. or any part thereof, or any
person therein, inculcates or encourages
a belief in the practice of polygamy
and this respondent denies that ne is
guilty OF pclygamy. that he is a polyga-
mist, or that he ever has been a polyga-
mist
Defends Mormonism.
This respondent further denies that
he has ever cOuntenanced or cennived
at any violation OF any law. either Of
the State of Utah or of the United
States; or that he has ever protected
or horored any person or persons who
may have violated the laws of the
land.
Respondent further alleges that since
the manifesto Of President wilford
Woodruff was issued in 1880 neither a
belief in nor a practice OF polygamy has
either been taught or encouraged"
The answer then goes into lengthy
discussion of the principles of the Nor
mon Church, averring that there is moth
ing in its organization or doctrines
subversive of the Constitution or laws
of the United States. and that the
leaders Of the church have never as
lsurned the principle or practice of poll
fzicaI dictation.
Asks Dismissal of Protests.
After citing the circumstances attend.
ing his election as Senator. when such
Mormons who were Democrats voted
against him. he concludes:
s~The respondent. In conclusion, al.
leges that he comes to the high oficc
OF United States Senator as a Republi-
can. and was nominated as such by the
Legislature Of the State OF Utah on is
sues clearly mzde up and perfectly un.
defstood by all; that he stands here nov
with the highest ard keenest regard for
the patriotism and loyalty expected and
demanded from every United States
Senator
Wherefore II is prayed that the pro-
tests filed herein may be given such
hearing as may be proper; but this re-
spOndent protests against evidence be-
ing introduced on all OF any OF those
issues which are irrelevant, immaterial
and impertinent 70 the question OF the
qualihcati tions of this respondent and
his right TO retain his seat as a United
States Senator from the State OF Utah
Respondent further prays that said
protests may be acjudgec OF no effect '
KNITTING FOR CHARITY