Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-03-03
SENATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
BEGINS HEARING IN CASE .
OF UTAH SENATOR.
PRESIDENT SMITH THE FIRST WITNESS Il I:
HEAD OF MORMON CHURCH GIVES
EVIDENCE IN FAVOR OF |
THE DEFENDANT.

GaL1On WHICH is 10 QeclQe whether
Reed Smoot of Utah is to retain his
seat in the United States senate and
incidentally define the political status
of the Mormon church was formally
begun during the day before the sem.
ate committee on privileges and cleo
lions. Great interest attaches to the
hearings because of the dual purpose
of the inquiry. Other Investigations
have been directed at the rights of
certain contestants to seats in con-
gress, but never before has there been
inaugurated an inquiry into creeds or
political factors to determine whether
an unlawful influence is being exerted
in the political affairs of the nation.
Such is the nature of the Smoot in
quiry and at the opening session it
was conceded the hearings would ex-
tend over several weeks and precipi-
tate contest in which noted legal
talent will fight every inch of the way
Interest increased with the announce
ment that Joseph F. Smith, president
of the Mormon church, would be the
first witness and, in all probability
occupy the attention of the commit
tee for two or three days. The attor-
neys for the defense, A. S. Worthing-
ton of this city and Waldemar van
Colt of Salt Lake, arrived early and
engaged in consultation with their
client. j. G. Carlisle, former secre-
tary of the treasury, and r. w. Tay-
Ter, former representative in congress
and the attorney who prosecuted the
successful contest against Brigham
Roberts retaining his seat in congress
on the ground of his having violated
the anti-polygamy law, are the coun-
sci for the protestants. Half q dozen
witnesses, nearly all of them officials
OF the Mormon church, occupied seats
In the rear of the large committee
room.
Quite a number of ladies were N
attendance and watched the proceed
inss with interest. Chairman Bur-
rows, after ascertaining by roll call
that a quorum of the committee was
present, directed MIR. Tayler to pro-
coed with the case.
President Smith Called.
Mr.. Tayler announced his readiness
to proceed and asked that President
Joseph Smith be sworn. After that
had been done Franklin S. Richards,
Salt Lake attorney, stated that he
was present as an adviser of the wit
nesses in the event any improper ques-
tons were asked.
The first questions asked brought
out that Mr.. Smith is president of the
church. He was born in Missouri in
1888 and went to Utah in 1S4S. He
has always been in the Mormon
church.
Mr.. Tayler asked Mr.. Smith if he
was prophet, seer and revelator.
The witness said he was $50 sus-
tanned"
Further questions along the same
line brought out the statement that
ne received his powers by reason OF
the position he holds in the church.
He said the apostles of the church
were sustained" In the same powers
rs prophets, seers and revelators. He
was asked to name his predecessors
as president Of the church and gave
them in order back to the first presi-
dent, Joseph Smith, Jr. The witness
said he sustains the same powers as
his predecessors. sssssl35.ss III.
A list Of first presidents or the
twelve apostles governing the church
was read by Mr.. Tayler and identified
by Mir. Smith. This list Included the
name of Reed Smoot.
After further questioning the COM
mittee adjourned until p. m. and Mr..
Burrows announced that thereafter
+ the hearings would be held every day
until concluded, beginning at 1870
o'clock. 98 4 Ere ...E: nj $$sE 5
An executive session Of the commit
tee was ordered to determine on GER
tain lines of conducting the case.
During the progress OF the hearing
in the afternoon Pesident Smith stated
that norwiths the second rev
esation stopping polygamy he believed
the first revelation. permitting 4. Was
correct. Il.
= cannot help my BELIEF. r he sid.