The semi-weekly messenger., 1904-01-12

washington, January e.-The re-
sponse of Senator Reed Smoot. of Utah,
to the charges made against him was
presented to the committee on prlvi-
leges and elections today by Senator
Burrows, chairman OF that committee.
It was agreed that at the regular meet
ing of the committee to be held next
Saturday the attorneys for Mr.. Smoot
and also for the petitioners should be
heard. They will be expected to show
precedents and authorities and after
they shall have made their presenta-
ton. the committee will decide whether
TO go farther into the matter by calling
witnesses or dispose Of it on the show
ing which will then have been made.
Mr.. Smoot submits in answer to
charges against him the following:
'@This respondent is advised and
AYERS that but two Of the charges made
against him in said protests, either
directly or by implication, are such as.
if true could legally affect his right to
charges are.
81. That the respondent is a polyga-
mist. -.
"2. 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.
'sBoth these charges respondent de-
nies.
"As to the charge that he is d polyg-
amist. the respondent says that he was
married on the 17th day of September
1884, to Alpha May Eldridge. She is
st!ll his wife, and is the mother Of all
mis- children. He has never had anv
other wife, and has never cohabited
with any other woman.
'.As to the charge that the respondent
is bound by some oath or obligation
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 obliga-
ton. He holds himself bound to obes
and uphold the constitution and lava
OF the United States. including the con-
dition in reference to polygamy upon
which the State OF Utah was admitted
to the Union.
1.-The respondent denies that he il
one OF said alleged self perpetuating
body of fifteen men or that there is
any such body of men; or that the to!-
lowers or members of the Church Of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or
any Of them. accord the right to said
alleged body to claim supreme author
fly, either divinely sanctioned or 9th
fn he nr
the conduct of those under them in all
other matters, civil or temporal, or that
said church or such alleged body claims
or otherwise exercises any such alleged
rights, or that said church or said al
legged body, or any person or body ex-
ercises any authority or power to in
culcate or encourage a belief in the
practice of polygamy or belief in order
to practice of polygamous eohabitation
or that either countenances or con-
nives at any violation of the laws OF
the state of Utah or of the United
States, and this respondent for him.
self in particular denies that he's is one
of said alleged self-perpetuating body
of Is men or that there IS any sucn
body; or that said church or any part
thereof, or any person therein; incul
tice OF polygamy or belief in or prac-
tice of polygamous cohabitation; and
this respondent denies that he is guilty
of polygamous cohabitation; or that he
is a polygamist or that he ever has
been a polygamist or that he has ever
practiced polygamous cohabitation."
Mr.. Smoot denies that he has ever
connived at any violation Of any law
of Utah or the United States, and de-
clafes that "since the manifesto Of
president WilfoTd Woodruff was issued
in 1890, neither a belief in, nor q prac-
tice OF polygamy or polygamous coha b.
station has either been taught or en-
!, couraged.''
Mr.. Smoot admits that the first pres
idency Of the Mormon church is vested
with supreme authority in all things
spiritual and in all things temporal, so
: far as temporal things pertain to the
Continued on Page So