The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-09

been, | was there to answer the
charges. I was willing to face item
and submit to the penalty Whatever
it might be. a
"You must oraw. diStinctiol be-
tween unlawfCl cotaoitation aud
plural marriages. - lie continued. The
State law in regard to tEe latter has
been complied with. No marriages
have been performed with the sanction,
approval, consent, knowledge or con-
nivance of the church or its officials.
But the other law is the one I have
presumed to disregard and which, as [
have said, I am ready to face rather
than disgrace myself or degrade my
family by turning them Off"
sMr. payler resumed his questioning
WYoE say there is State law forbid
ding polygamous cohabitation and
YOU have been continuing to violate it
in utter disregard to the conse-
quences?" he asked.
ST think I have," was the answer.
s'Your have caused your plural wives
to bear you new children in violation
of the law you know to exist'
stThat is correct,'' said Mr.. Smith.
..Do you consider it an abandonment
of your family not to maintain mar
riage relations?" Mr.. Tayler asked.
Mr.. Smith faced Mr.. Tayler and in
a low but penetrating voice said: |
don't like to be impertinent, but L
should like you to ask any woman who
is a wife"
At that point Mr.. Foraker and Mr..
Beveridps objected.
Resuming the inquiry concerning
Mr.. Smiths personal polygamous re-
lasions Mr. Taylor asked: How
many Children have you had since the
manifesto Of 1902"
'tEleven since 1907 said Mr.. Smith,
Continuing, he said: Each of my
five wives has borne me children.
.'Slnce that time'' asked Mr.. Bur-
roughs.
peated in answer.
Senator Overman: Did SenSaor
Smoot ever advise you to persist in
your polveamous cohabitation?''
Mr. Smith: "I think not. [ Fave
never, SO far as remember, discussed
my private affairs with him.
Mr.. Smith was asked about the
domestic relations of the l2 apostles.
He said Charles Teasdale, John ".
Taylor, Heber j. Grant, John b.
Smith, F. M. Lyman and Apostles
Merrill and Cowley were reputed
polygamists,
ssWhen your deacons are sent out and
make converts in other lands do they
not present the rightfulness of polyga-
my as a religious virtues" This
question was put by Senator Horn and
was answered in the negative: ''They
never discuss polygamy," Mr.. Smith
said, ssunless compelled to do so to
meet attacks. They do not advocate
polygarny in any way. Indeed, the
elders are instructed not to advocate
plural marriages at all; it is thing
of the past.
After recess Mr.. Tayler began in
quiry concerning instructions given to
missionaries as to the teaching Of
polygarny. Mr. Smith said the book
called Ready References is used by
missionaries. .'This books he said,
"contains chapter on polygamy de-
claring thatsspractice to be divine. The
marginal note on the chapter on
polygamy was given as polygamy right
IN tie sight Of God, . Mr.. Simth
aided, however, that the use of this
book is almost entirely abandoned by
the Mormon elders doing missionary
work. The standard works of the
church, he said, were the books taken
with them. ----.
INQUIRY having been mace by several
members of the committee as to what
Mr.. Tayler expected to prove by Ger.
tain questioning. the latter said: II
expect TO prove that MI. Smoot could
not by any possibility put himself up
against his associates in his actions. -
"Nct even in his vote as United
States Senator?'' asked Mr.. Beveridge.
"No, not even in his vote a a
senator,'' responded Nh. Tayler.
Mr.. Tayler said Mr.. Smoot would be
bound to follow the direction of the
church not only in spiritual affairs.
but also in temporal things because
under the definitions of the church it
is impossible to distinguish between
the two. He would have to obey OF
resign his apostleship.
A rule of tire church was quoted in
regard to the release from duties of
certain members of the apostles OF
others in high positions in order to
perform other duties and Mr.. Tayler
asked: "Was it necessary for Mr..
Smoot to get consent to run for sena-
tor?''
"He had to get the consent of his
| associate apostles and the first presi-
dency," said MT. Smith, in order to
go before the legislature He obtain
| ed that consent"
The celestial marriage, or the mar
riage for eternity, was discussed and
Mr.. Smith said it was one Of the
things which the Mormon church be-
| lieved in, but that the practice had
been in disuse for 20 years or more.
| The committee adjourned until to-
morrow.