The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-04-24

AH lAl-Ns <AIllll o. w men .tifs
wv investigation of the Smoot case
opened today Judge o. w. Pow
ers was again called to the stand. He
had received a petition prepared by
supporters Of Moses Thatcher for sen
ator, addressed to the senate Of the
United States alleging that church in
Guences had been used in the election
and asking for an investigation. An
other instance of church interferen -
had been shown, he said, in the may
orally contest at Provo. when Reed
Smoot favored the candidacy Of George
Sutherland. The witness said SmOOt
was held in disfavor with the church
and charged with going 10 the Liberal
party.
Senator Overman asked If women
We're elected to the Legislature in Utah.
The witness answered in the aftirma-
tive and said Il woman was chairman
of the judicial committee Of the house
in the legislature which elected Mr..
Smoot as senator.
Did she vote for Smoot?" asked
Senator Overman-
4 understand she did.
Manifesto of 1896.
Senator Dubois-Judge Powers. what
do you regard the chief exhibition e
church domination over political at
fairs that has come to your notice.
1T occurred at the April. 1886. con
ference when the political rulc-that
iS. the manifesto against Mormons en-
tering politics without consent Of
church authorities-was adopted This
I1Ilo was adopted without a dissenting
vote and at the same conference Moses
Thatcher was dropped from the rolls
Il NJ. la "a ion fsf
any character was made.
Senator NCCumas-Huw do the young
men in the Mormon church regard the
practice Of polygamy2
Young Mormons Oppose Polygamy.
II think the young Mormon mon. md
women, too, are opposed To the prdc-
ticc-strongly opposed. although l con-
Tess Canno: understand the power the
u church is able 10 exert over them ]
\ believe however that If the churcn
authorities SHOULD attempt 90 re-estab-
lish polygamy. by revelation or other
wise. there would be trouble.
In regard 20 continuation Of polyg-
amous cohabitation. Judge Powers said
that some look uDOn this cOndiu IN
with tolerance and others with open
hostility.
Several senators engaged in the dis
cussiou Of the future Of polygamy. and
Judge Powers said he believed ne
practice could not last any more than
could slavery. Continuing. he said:
Interference in Business.
But 1 do not regard polygamy as
Tho worst feature Of the Mormon reli-
zion. What I object To most is its an
American domination by the hierarchy
Of the people OF that belief The belief
in the right Of the church aUthori SIS
10 haffRF fn.4
head Of the church is inspired. and IN
\ reference OF the church in poliu
and commercial affairs
Senator Hopkins-Thc same charge
about commerce can be made about
other churches in a limited way. can
it not?
Not as I make the statement here.
said M Powers. Il do not know of
any other church that conducts bath
ing beaches. street railways, electric
light and power plants, banks. mines
and mills and that attempts 20 control
in local politics for the purpose of OBJ
tanning concessions and franchises
Methodists Dragged In.
senator Hopkins-There is the Meth
Cdist church Of Chicago of which j am
a member. IL engages i'm business and
] have always supported that idea.
Attorney worthington-And the Trim
fly church I'm New York also owns and
rents property.
But. as ] understand IL, Judge Pow
ers means that the Mormon church is
:. trust and owns and controls great
commercial institutions said Senator
NfcCOmaS.
THAT is it; it is a trust" said Judge
Powers.
Senator Bailey asked Senator Hop
kins and Mr. Worthington If the Meth
odist church in Chicago and Trinity
church iu New York engaged In NOR
camille fairs and both admitted that
the busiaess consisted mostly i'm own
ing property and receiving rents Sen
ator Dubois, suggested that if compari-
sons Of the Mormon and Methodtst
church were To be made IL would be
well 10 summon the bishop Of the
Methodist church TO testify.
IF you were as we'll acquainted with
Methodism as ] am it would not be
necessary TO summon bishop re-
torted Senator Hopkins. However,
may not be so well acquainted with
WormOnism."
Made 1t Clear.
Judge Powers continued in the line
Of making II clear that the Mormon
church controlled business IN Utah 10
a large degree. and that il was pro-
tected by secrecy which was hard TO
get at.