The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-11
AYERS MORMONS
OPPOSED ShOOT
Utah Attorney Declares Inquiry
Was Foreseen by Mayhem
Of Church.
Candidacy Of Apostle Scored as
Unwise While Polygamy
Was Practiced.

I Washington, March 11.-E.s B.
CritchloW Of Salt Lake, formerly as
sistant United States attorney in Utah,
was the first witness to-day In the
smoot case. He resumed his state
1rent in regard to conditions in Utah
and prosecutions of polygamists.
An open letter from Moses Thatcher
to President Snow. in regard to the
platform on which he had Waged his
campaign Tor senator, was introduced
and Mr.. Crjtchlow referred to threats
which had been made against Thatch-
err in editorials in the Deseret News.
In TIL" legislature OF 1901 was In
trodliced the Evans .antipolygamy bill
to limit prosecution for certain classes
Of cffenses. President Snow and Jo-
seph F. Smith were in favor Of the
bill, said Mr.. Critchlow, and Mr..
Smoot was quoted as recommending
that the measure be left to the good
sense Of the people. The witness told
Of the passage of the bill by a vote
OF rs to II in the house, the veto by
the governor and the sustaining Of the
veto.
In answer to questions, Mr.. Critch-
low said the governor was a Mormon,
but that the sentiment Of the coun-
try demanded the veto on the grounds
that it would defend the presence Of
polygamy and prevent prosecutions Of
violations Of the law against poly
gamous cohabitation.
Veto by the Governor.
The veto by the governor was put
into the record. It shows that the
governor feared the passage Of the
measure would be followed by a gem
era1 demand for a, constitutional
amendment directed solely at condi-
lions in Utah. and that the demand
could not be ignored.
Governor Wells said the result
would be that the whole state would
be put under a ban. The Evans bill
except when the husband or wife filed
complaint.
Mr.. Critchlow said Smoot announced
his candidacy for the senate first in
1900, and that the announcement met
with decided opposition from republi-
cans and others.
The objections were manifested, ,ac-
cording to the witness, at the Salt
Lake elections for members Of the
legislature and in expressions from the
ministerial association Of Utah.
Candidacy Opposed.
Mormons as we'll as non-Mornons
were opposed to sending an apostle to
the senate, and it was well known to
received with favor.
The witness said that, laymen in the
Mormon church we'll knew the candi-
dacy of All apostle would be unwise,
when it was charged that quorum Of
the first presidency and apostles were
living in open polygamous cohabita-
ton. t@.l
Mr. Critchlow referred to an inter
view with Smoot, printed in the Salt
Lake Telegram, Nov. 26, 1902, in
which Mr.. Smoot is charged with say
ing that he had no knowledge that
any apostles were living in polygamous
cohabitation. S*sSa Ns3s
The telegram added that Mr.
Smoot was told that if he wanted the
information it would be furnished, ac-
companied by all dates. and facts con-
corning the marriage.
| Mr.. Worthing objected on the
ground that the interview was denied
/ by Mr.. Smoot, and a long colloquy
ensued. But finally the entire matter
was put in the record.