The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-04-28
Crafty Mormons Still Facing lnteffo'
cation Points
SOME WARM TESTIMONY IS GIVEN
Briebam II. Roberts Examined AS to
the Relations Existing Betwee the
Church and Politics.

| committee on privileges and elections
the prosecution devoted considerable
time to drawing from Birmingham n
Roberts the character Of the oatns
which are said to be necessary for
Mormon official to take in order tc
have the support of the Church for po'
l;tical office. Members of the committee
showed al equal interest in the otliga'
tions which are said to be taken by
Mormons who 'go through the endow-
nent house" Along both lines much
evidence was brought out which is ey-
pected to have considerable bearing al
the fitness of a Mormon Church OIL
cial to hold seat in Congress.
| It was shown by Mr.. Roberts tes-
timony that without the consent OF
the Mormon church he failed of elec-
ton to a seat in Congress and later
with Church recognition of his candi-
dacy he was elected. In relation to the
| endowment house obligation Mr.
Roberts was extremely reticent.
Mr.. Roberts said he has three wives
one married in 1877, the second in 1856
and the third in 1890. He said he has
had children by all CT the wives and by
the first plural wife since his election
to Congress.
Senator Overman inquired Of Mr.
Roberts whether his first wife and his
second wife had consented to his third
wife.
mo. sir" said Mr.. Roberts. They
did not learn of the marriage for three
or four years
How was that?" asked Senator Bev-
| eridge. do you mean to say that the
marriage was not known to any one!
ut was known to some OF my
friends, but not to my wives" was the
| answer.
why was this marriage concealed
from them?' asked Chairman Bur
rows.
Because l did not want to embarrass
| them"
How embarrass them?
We'll, we know the marriage was IL
legal and it might be embarrassing to
| them if they should for any reason be
called on to testify"
Mr.. Taylor asked Mr.. Roberts why
| he thought it incumbent upon him TO
take plural wives.
From boyhood." replied the witness.
81 had been taught the rightfulness
| of plural marriages and / believed this
practice to be the law Of God. / knew
| that this practice was contrary 10 the
mandates of Congress, but believed
that the law of God was the highest
rule and l felt impelled to obey
Chairman Burrows asked number
of pointed questions which brought
out the conversation from Mr.. ROBERTS
that he still believes in and practices
uolygamy. He said that he believes the
Woodruff manifesto was divinelT In
inspired and that now in practlcing
polygamy he knows he is disoDeyiAg
both the laws of the landsand the laws
Of God. He was asked why he contin-
ued to disobey the laws OF God II ne ne-
lieved them to be the highest laws
and with a resigned air. he said: "Well.
the manifesto left me in the midst OF
! obligations to these views. l am trying
to do the best can to live within tne
laws. but these obligations | cannon
| shirk.''
At the afternoon session Mr.. ROD
erts said no action had ever been taken
| nv the Church in respect to his living
with more than one wife.
Questions were asked respecting Mr.
! Roberts view regarding the manifesto
ri 1890 against plural marriages and
living in polgygamy cohabitation, ana
the witness said he regarded the mani
| festo as an administrative act OF the
Church and of binding force upon all
members He admits thatsto dlsobey
ary OF those laws would subject the
| member to liability to Church dlscl-
pline The witness was asked then IN
re gard TO polygamous cohabitation. and
seid that he and many others were llV-
| ing in polygamy at the time the rules
was made against such cohabitatlon
and that they considered themselves
under moral obligation to live with the
wives they had married.
"Do you think you are morally oound
| tc cohabit with all or your wlves:'
Chairman Burrows asked.
81 do"
How many children have you?"
Thirteen living"
"How many not living?'
Two
when was the last one born?'
About two or three years ago.
Mr.. Vancott in cross-eXamlnatlon
asked in regard to the rule which per-
nlits officials of the Church to enter in
70 politics. and the witness said he
regarded il merely as leave OF alb
sence from Church official duties dur
ing icumbepcy of political offices.
He said he did not regard it as an
Endorsement by the Mormon Church. 1t
vas brought out that in his first can
yass for office. when he had not the
consent or leave of absence. he was
defeated. In his second canvass he OBJ
tuined the leave OF absence and was
elected. -
Senator Bailey asked a number OF
,.o,+;ooc rapardioo the witness views