The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-11
THE SMOOT CASE
Plural Wives and Had Continued to
Practice Polygamous Capitalization
Since the Manifesto OF 1S9O-The
Senate Committee Has An Execu-
tive Session to Hear the Reading OF
Some Unprintable Evidence-First
Evidence for the Defense.

Washington, March 9.-Several Off
cials Of the Mormon church were today
put on the stand in the Senator Reed
Smoot case, before the Senate commit
tee on privileges and elections, to testi-
| fy that they had plural wives and had
continued to practice polygamous CO.
habitatio since the manifesto Of 1890.
The large number that have continued
| that practice formed the feature OF the
| evidence brought out Just before ad-
journment for the day, the committee
held an executive session. for the pur
pose of having read the unprintable
testimony in the Leasdale divorce case
The prosecution stated that it had no
more witnesses ready to put on the
| stand, on account Of the failure of sew
eraI officials of the Mormon church to
respond to the summonses issued for
their appearance.
President Joseph F. Smith was asked
| to use his influence to have witnesses
| to get into communication with them
if it was possible to do so.
| Loren Harmer, formerly a bishop Of
the Mormon church, was on
the stand today, and gave the first tes-
/ timony in favor OF the defense, that
has been offered thus far in the eight
| days of the hearings. He said he was
i convicted Of the crime Of adultery and
| that he believed Reed Smoot was re-
| sponsible for his arrest.
] President Smith was recalled ard ad-
mitted having urged the election of
Reed Smoot as Senator in an interview.
lMr. Smith said he was acquainted with
Benjamin C1ough. Jr., president Of the
| board OF faculty OF the Brigham Young
academy, and that he is reputed to be
a polygamist- Mr.. Smith was question
ed as to whether he would investigate
l charges against church officials of vio-
lation OF laws. and said that was not
his business, but the duty OF lesser Off
cials.
| the marriage ceremonies performed ir
the church. He asked If the marriage
for eternity only was not called seal
ing"
"They are all called sealing was the
response.
. rs this sealing for eternity ever per
formed for living perSons?"
II believe I have heard OF one or tw'
: such cases." said the witness.
Are any polygamists ever sealed TO
= eternity?'
r mo. sir
Does this service of sealing for eter
nifty carry the right of earthly cohabita
y | tion?'
Y mo"
r 'Is the practice ever exercised as
: right?''
e Not that I know Of
ol Chairman Burrows asked If polygam
g was taught in the Book OF Mormon
and Mr.. Smith answered that II wa
e eInphatically forbidden.
r Mr. Smith took the book and read
e verse which declared that when tn
4 Lord wanted his seed propagated h
% would command it. This the w.tnes
n declared. justifies polygamy when
v person is commanded by the Lord
e enter that state. He said the CON
mands come to individuals, as revels
q tons from the Lord
J. Have you received any individu
= revelation?" asked Senator Dubois.
D 'T can't say that have the witne:
l. replied
Speaking Of the endowment oath, NJ
II Smith said in reply to Mr.. Tayler TIL
- the obliga ton is the same as it has
q ways been. but that it was not an oat
se I'VE abjure oaths."
I'd Mr.. Smith said that ne was abse,
from Utah during the prosecutions u
ad der the Edmunds Act, that he was n
e therefore prosecuted.
Of "Was there a warrant out for you
no asked Senator Dubois.
nv II can present it to you now r
sponded the witness with some sna
- cit was returned to mei'
Il Mr. Smith said he considered tn
On conditions in the state OF Utah justifi
-, him in the course he has pursued. Z
ov the other hand he said, I've ha
~ agreed not to solemnize any me
plural marriages. and / don't believ'
he added, bringing his c.enched ha
down on the table, that THAI und'
standing has been violated
Replying to questions relating TO
by former testimony, concerning Apos
Teasdale's plural marriage since 1s
Mr.. Smith said il was his understar
a. ing from Mr. Teasdale that at the IL
OF that marriage, Mr.. Teasdale v
IL. sealed for eternity to an elderly WON
c. who had been his housekeeper.
m Teasdale understood. said the witne
that the woman was in no sense
legal wife, when he married Mar
uis Scales.
ev- .sIIis relation with her was Just
cen chaste as with his sister,?
lay Precisely so," the witness repl
ent He added that he had personally kno
ast OF two other cases OF sealing for e'
cfl- nifty and that the church sealed d
for time and eternity.
toL Andrew Jensen assistant historien