Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-13
Hearing Resumed Before
the Senate Committee.
More Light on Peculiar State Of
Affairs Out in Utah.
Plural Marriages Since Enactment Of
United States Laws.


nesses were heard. today, in the case
of Senator Reed Smoot. before the Sen
at committee on privileges and cleo
tons. the committee resuming its in
vestigation after long recess.
The. first witness was the Rev. J. NJ.
Buckley, editor of the Christian Advo-
cate Of New York. who told of a Nor
mon meeting he attended in Salt Lake
Utah. last summer. in which President
Joseph Smith declared he would not
give up his plural wives.
George Reynolds, a high official of the
church, testified in regard to the cere-
monies that have taken place in the en-
dOWment house and concerning eccles-
iastical divorces granted by the church.
John Henry Hamlin told of the plural
marriage of his sister, Lillian Hamlin
to Apostle Abram Cannon, which cere-
mony, he said, he understood to have
been performed by President Smith
since the manifesto of 1890.
Most of the testimony related to the
inside policy. but did not connect Sem
ator Smoot with any of the alleged vio-
lations of state or national statutes.
The committee adjourned until tomor-
row.
Washington. Dec. 12.-Hearings of
the protest against Reed Smoot, Junior
senator from Utah, retaining his seat
in the United States Senate were re-
sulned, today. before the committee on
privileges and elections. The room was
crowded, women predOrlinating among
the spectators, as was the case last SEES
sion. Senator Smoot was accompanied
by Waldemar Van Colt, a Salt Lake.
Utah. attorney. who is assisting s.
Worthington Of this city in the conduct
of the defence. Judge Franklin s. Rich
ards of Salt Lake, adviser to Mormon
witnesses and Mr.. Worthington also
were present. Former Repres antative r
w. Taylor of Ohio acted again as the
counsel for the professionals. When the
hearing opened the Democrats of the
committee We're Senators Burroughs,
chairman, Foraker, Dubois, Pettus and
Overman.
The first witness called by Mr.. Tay-
Ter was Rev. J. NJ Buckley Of Norris
town. N. j., editor of the Christian Ad-
vocate of New York.
DR.. Buckley told of visits to Utah in
1901 and again last June. At that time
he attended a joint convention of the
Young Mems and Young Women's I'm
ions Of Mormonisn. Those who spoke
were Brigham H. Roberts, Elmira S.
Taylor and President Smith. The line
of inquiry introduced by Mr.. Taylor
concerning the meeting was in refer
ence to what had been said at the con-
ventior about polygamous cohabitation.
H..
had written concerning the convention
and quoted from the speech of Presi-
dent Smith on subject Of marriage
The witness said Y that President
Smith discussed the responsibilities Of
marriage and how the contract is re-
garded by many persons. Then" said
DIR. Buckley, President Smith drew
himself up to his full height and spoke
Of. the subject of divorce. He said that
the mothers of his own children had
been given him by God and We're saints
of God. He deplored the mother-in-law
jokes and said that his own mothers
in-law were the best friends he ever
had; that they We're true women,
worthy of their daughters" DR.. Buck |
ley read from another article on this |
meeting which said that President |
Smiths voice rang out as "strong as
William ]. Bryan's." as ne defended the |
Mormon marriage and declared that
polygamy was not adultery but was a
system of marriage.
DIR. Buckley said he had made in |
quiries concerning Senator Smoot and |
that he found no one who said one word |
against him. Everywhere the witness |
said Senator SmOOt was given an ex- |
cellent character.
George Reynolds. n Mormon living in |
Salt Lake. testified that he is the first |
assistant superintendent of the Mormon
church Sunday school and secretary Of
the missionary committee Of The Apostles |
and formerly clerk or recorder of the en- |
down house. This relation was sew
cred about 1871. Mr.. Reynolds told the |
committee that he has given certificates |
of marriage since he ceased to be record |
er of the endowment house. in cases
where widows sought to obtain pensions. |
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