The Washington times., 1904-04-26

The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections, in executive session to-
day, decided unanimously to ask au-
thority of the Senate TO sit during the
summer recess of Congress and con-
tinue its investigation of the Smoot
case and the general workings OF the
Mormon Church. This resolution covers
permission for the full committee or any
subcommittee of 1t TO go to Utah
The resolution was prepared by Chair
man Burrows and presented to the com
mittee- Mr.. Depew moved that il be
adopted as the sense OF the committee
This was seconded by Mr. Foraker. and
all the members present voted in favor
Of it. The other votes. in addition TO
those named. were cast bv Hopkins and
Dillingham;. Republicans. and Pettus,
Dubois, Bailey, and Overman, Demo-
Gratis.
Significance is attached TO the fact
that the committees decision was unan-
imous- Although the Democratic mem
bers Of the committee have been ac-
tive in their suggestion of questions TO
prove the interference Of the Mormon
Church in political matters, others OF
the committee have been regarded as
rather favorable to the Smoot side. This
has been indicated in the questions sub
mitted by them to various witnesses
Moses Thatcher concluded his testi-
mony today. Tomorrow the witness will
be L. E Abbott, ex-sheriff OF Davis
county. Utah. just north of Salt Lake
City. He IS expected to prove, by reason
OF his former official position and his
general knowledge of affairs. the polyga-
10 Of Ill
lor. whose attendance here has been
much desired So far. Taylor has kept
out Of the way of the official subpoena.
Mr.. Thatcher's testimony today was
strong against the church at times. bu;
in other portions of his testimony he
seemed extremely reluctant to criticise
mis- former Mormon associates.
Thatcher Testifies Again.
Moses Thatcher resumed the stand
when the committee was called to order
at 1910 o'clock this morning. A few
minutes were spent in picking up the
threads of the testimony at the close
of yesterday 5 session.
Witness called attention to some let
ters in his possession referring to his
difficulties with the Mormon Church au-
thorities. and suggested that he might
save time by marking the pertinent por-
tons of them. A printed pamphlet con-
tanning the letters was put into evidence.
Attorney Tayler took up the subject
of a pamphlet by Calvin Reasoner, on
practical workings of the Mormon
Church. referred TO by the witness yes
teTday. In answer to a query from
Sera atOr Dubois. witness said Reasoner
was a political friend OF his, that he
knew in advance of the preparation Of
the document, and that it accurately
rel resented his .own opinions on the
matters mentioned.
Reasoner's argument seemed cOnSis-
tent to the witness at the time it was
printed, December %, 1896. but later. o.
August IA. 1897. the high council of Salt
Lake Stake took action which caused
witness to alter his views in some re-
spects. He did not think there had
been the slightest intention to misrep-
resent matters in the pamphlet.
Discusses Famous "Rule"
Attorney Van Cott took UP the cross
examination, and inquired as TO the
witness view of the political manifesto
or rule" issued on October 8. 1885, rel
ative to permission TO run for office. TO
which witness did not assent, and which
was the beginning of his trouble with
the Mormon Church. The decision OF
the high council in 1897, the letter writ
ten by the witness on the subject, and
his acceptance of the councils inter-
pretatio OF the rule. were discussed
by the witness.
Nothing nas come TO the knowledge
of the witness, he said. In answer to a
query frOn, Colonel Worthington. to
show that the church imposed its will
upon people who wished to run for Of
fee
Best Lumber, $3.50 Per 100 Feet.