The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10
SMOOT NOT POLYGAMOUSi
ONE WIFE ONLY, HE SAYS
Strenuous Defense Made by the
Utah Mormon to Retain His
Seat in Senate.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-The response Of
Senator Reed Smoot, of Utah, to the
charges made against him was presented
to the Senate committee privileges and
elections by Senator Burrows, chairman
of that committee. The document was in
printed form and the members of the COM
mittee did not go through the formality Of
reading it during the session. 1t was agreed
that at the regular meeting of the COM
mite to be held next Saturday, the attor-
neys for Mr.. Smoot and for the petitioners
should be heard. They will be examined
to show precedents and authorities, and
after they shall have made their presenta-
ton, the committee will decide whether
to go further in the matter of calling wit
nesses or dispose of it on the showing which
will then have been made.
In his response Senator Smoot claims that
but two charges are made against him, the
protest that could legally affect his rights
to hold seat in the Senate, viz: That the
respondent is a polygamist, and 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.
Both these charges he denies.
In regard to the first charge, Mr.. Smoot
says ne was married on the 18th day OF
September. 1884 to Alpha May Eldridge. She
is still his wife. and is the mother of all
his children. He has never had any other
wife.
AS to the charge that he Is bound by
some oath obligation controlling his duty
under his oath senator, he says that
he has never taken such oath or IN any way
assumed any such obligations. He holds
m nd m
stitution and laws of the United States,
including the condition in reference to poly
gamy upon which the State of Utah was
admitted into the Union.
Mr.. Shoots attorneys ask to have all
other charges stricken out Of the protests
except the two specified. on the ground
that they do not affect his right to retain
a seat in the Senate, but at the same time
each or the charges are answered in detail.
He denies being one of a .self-perpetuat-
ing body of fifteen men who shape and con.
troll the temporal and spiritual conduct OF
the Later Day Saints, and denies the exist
ence of such q body.
He also denies that he has ever coun..
tenanced or connived at any violation of
any law, either Of the State of Utah or of
the United States; or that he has ever pro-
tected or honored any person or persons
who may have violated the laws OF the
land.
He then goes on to say that the president
of the Mormon Church and his two coun-
selors constitute the first presidency and is
and the same has control Of the spiritual
and temporal affairs of the church. but not
Of the temporal affairs either Of the State
or of any members of the church and that
the next highest governing body is the
twelve apostles. consisting of twelve MEM
bers of the church, who are under the d.
rection of the first presidency
Mr.. Smoot further alleges that since the
manifesto of President MILFORD Woodruff
was issued in 1890. neither a belief in nor
practice OF polygamy or polygamous con-
duct has either been taught encouraged.
Mr.. Smoot admits the charge that he is
director of Brigham Young Academy, but
alleges that he is not familiar with details
of the employment of instructors,
Concerning the political significance of his
election United States senator, Mr.. Smoot
says that in 1902 he announced he would be
a candidate before the Legislature to be
elected and that such declaration was OF his
own judgment, and that the members of the
Legislature were elected on that issue by a
large majority, and that most of the gentle
Republican legislators voted for him for
senator, while all of the Democratic Nor
mon legislators voted for his opponent.