The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-10

TESTIMONY FOR
SMOOT IS HEARD
Senate, Committee Has Too
Choice a Morsel for Open
Session.

WASHINGTON, d. c., March 81
Several officers of the Mormon church
today testified in the Senator Smoot
case that they had plural wives and
had continued to practice polygafnous
cohabitation since the manifesto of
1890. Just before adjournment for the
day, the committee held an executive
session for the purpose of having read
the unprintable testimony in the Teas
dale divorce case. The prosecution
stated that it had no more witnesses
readyNto put on the stand, on account
of the failure of several summoned Of
ficials of the Mormon church to ap-
pear. President Joseph F. Smith was
asked to use his influence with the
witnesses and promised to get into
communication with them If it was
possible to do SO.
Loren Harmer, formerly bishop of
the Mormon church, today gave the
first testimony in favor Of the defense;
that has been offered thus far. He said
he was convicted of adultery and that
he believed Reed Smoot was RESPONSE
BILE for his arrest. The charge against!
Harmer was unlawful cohabitation
with a woman who was not his wife.
1t was not a prosecution on account Of
cohabitation with his plural wives.
President Joseph F. Smith and a.
number of officials of the church who
had been witnesses in the case today
were excused from further attendance,
and they will return to Utah.
Mormon Officials Sensitive.
Mr.. Tayler asked President Smith:
""The officers of the Mormon church
are sensitive in regard to charges that
plural marriages have been performed
since 1890, are they not z"
Mr.. Smith said he thought they were
very sensitive on that subject. He was
asked then whether he had taken any
steps to run down the stories that the
laws had been violated by officers OF
the church. He answered that II he
took time to answer all the charges
made against himself and other Of
ficials of the church, he would not
have time to do other work.
Reference was made specifically to
the charges against George Teasdale,
an apostle, and Mr.. Smith was asked
if he did not feel called upon in that
particular case to make some inquiry
into the reputation of the church.
1T was not my business to do So"
he said.
Mr.. Smith explained that 1t Is the
duty of the bishops courts to pass
upon the morals of those who live In
their wards or districts.
When asked if the rule applies to
officials who are above the bishops in
authority, Mr.. Smith said 1t did not.
"Now that you are president, what
would you do If such charges were
nader" asked the chairman.
Mr.. Smith said he would not inves-
tigate the cases because it was the
duty of the lesser officials.
AS to Sealing !,
Chairman Burrows asked in regard
to the marriage ceremonies performed
in the church. He spoke Of marriages
for time, the marriages for time and
eternity, and the marriages for eterni-s
ty only, and asked if the latter is not
called sealing
"They are all called sealing" was the
response.
rs this sealing for eternity ever
performed for living persons ?"
Il believe I have heard of one or two
such cases." said the witness.
Are any polygamists ever sealed for
eternity?"
No, SIR
Does this service of sealing for eter-
nifty carry the right of earthly cohabi-
atation?''
mot that know Of"
Chairman Burrows asked the witness
to identify the Book of Mormon, and
then asked if polygamy was taught in