The San Francisco call., 1904-03-03


TO unearth secrets of the Mormon faith
was manifested in the first days pro-
ceedings before the Senate Committee
on Privileges and Elections which is in
vestigating the protests against Reed
Smoot retaining his seat as a Senator
from Utah. President Joseph F. Smith.
the highest official of the church, was
on the stand all day. He was ques-
toned closely in regard to the prin-
ciples Of divine revelations. He said
he adhered absolutely to all the teach
ings of the church in that regard and
that he himself had been visited with
divine inspiration from God directing
him as to details in matters pertaining
to the welfare of the church, though no
angels had come to him as in the case
of the revelation TO his uncle, Joseph
Smith Jr.. the founder of the church.
He subscribed to the standard of au-
thOrity for the church in relation TO the
revelation commanding polygamy ds
made known to the first president in
visit from IAN angel in black" He also
said he still believed in polygamy.
The testimony was directed in a slight
degree at Senator Smoot and no at
tempt was made by the defense to cur
tail the admission OF testimony until
President Smith was questioned in re-
lation TO polygamous conduct of GER
tain officials of the church before the
manifesto Of 1890. The attorneys then
objected and much time was devoted to
the testimony. The committee then
went into executive session and after
full discussion determined to allow
the utmost latitude to the hearings
which means that court practices Will
be avoided. The protestants said they
regarded thN as victory for them
The committee will hear practically all
the prosecution has to offer and de-
termine itself what is competent
At an executive session of the com
mittee following the afternoon hearing
it was decided to meet every day at
1880 a. m. and remain in session until
u noon, meeting again at p. m. and
continuing throughout the afternoon.
Five members, including the chairman,
will constitute a quorum.
PRESIDENT SMITH is CALLED.
The attorneys for the defense, A. s.
Worthington of this city and Waldemar
Van Cott of Salt Lake, Utah, arrived
early and engaged in consultation with
their client. J. G. Carlisle. former Sec
retary of the Treasury, and r. w. Tay-
Ter, former Representative in Congress
and the attorney who prosecuted the
successful contest against Brigham
Roberts retaining his seat in Congress,
on the ground of his violating the anti
polygamy law, are the counsel for the
protestants. Half a dozen witnesses,
nearly all of them officials of the Nor
mon church, occupied seats in the rear
Of the large committee room.
Tayler announced his readiness to
proceed and asked that President
Joseph F. Smith be sworn.
The first question asked brought out
that Smith is president of the church
and was born in Missouri in 1888, went
to Utah in 1S4S and always has been in
the church.
Tayler asked Smith if he was a
prophet, seer and revelator.
The witness replied he was: 80 sus-
tanned"
SMITH is KEPT VERY BUSY.
Further questions along the same line
brought out the statement that he re-
ceived his powers by reason of the po-
sition he holds in the church.
Questions directed TO ascertain the
business occupation of Smith in addi-
tion to the presidency of the church
brought out the following list of con-
Germs of which he is president:
with a capital stock of more than 81. 600. 600;
State Bank of Utah, Zion Savings Bank Utah
Sugar Company Consolidated Wagon and Ma
cline Company, Utah Light Railway Com
psny. Salt Lake and Los Angeles Railway
Company. Saltair Beach Company and Salt
Lake Knitting Company.
He said he was president of a num-
Der of other small concerns, the names
of which he could not recall, and that
he is a director Of the Union Pacific
Railway Company, editor of the I'M
provementer and Juvenile Instructor