The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1904-12-15
RESUME HEARING
OF SMOOT Case
EVIDENCE TAKEN BY SENATE
COMMITTEE IN PROTEST
AGAINST SEATING HIM.

MANY WOMEN ON HAND
TO HEAR TESTIMONY
ar. Buckley Questioned as to What He
! Heard at a Salt Lake Conventions
Divorces from the Dead Some.
times Granted. =,
Washington, Dec. 13.-Hearings Of
the protest against Reed Smoot, Junior
senator from Utah, retaining his seat
IN the United States senate, wE re-
sumed Monday on the committee on
privileges and elections. The room
was crowded, women predominatipg
among the spectators, as Vas the case
last session. Senator Smoot arrived
early, accompanied by Waldemar Van
Colt, a Salt Lake City attorney, who
is assisting A. S. Worthington, Of this
city, in the conduct Of the defense.
Judge Franklin S. Richards, Of Salt
Lake, adviser to Mormon Witnesses,
and Mr.. Worthington, also were pres
ent. Former Representative r. w.
Tayler, Of Ohio, acted again as the
counsel for the protestants. When the
hearing opened the members of the
committee present were Senators Bur-
rows, chairman; Foraker, Dubois, Pet
tus and Overman.
First Witness Called.
The first witness called by Mr.. Tay-
Ter was Rev. J.. M. Buckley. D. D., of
Morristown, N. j., editor of the Chris
tian Advocate. of New York. DR.. Buck,
ley told of. visits to Utah in 1901 and
again last June. At that time he at,
tended a joint convention of the
young mems and young women's
unions, Of Mormonism. Those who
spoke were Brigham H. Roberts, Ell.
mira S. Taylor and President Smith.
The audience was estimated by the
witness at 1900 persons. The line
of inquiry introduced by Attorney
Tayler concerning the meeting was in
reference to what had been said at the
convention about polygamous cohab-
itation. DR.. Buckley read from an
article on this meeting, which said that
President Smiths voice rang out "as
strong as William ]. Bryan's" as he
defended the Mormon marriage, and
declared that polygamy was net
adultery, but was a system of mar
riage. President Smith was quoted
by the witness as saying that he could
not give up any Of his wives; that it
meant eternal damnation to abandon
q multiplicity of wives.
Former Recorder Testihes.
George Reynoius, a Mormon living
in Salt Lake City, testified that he is
the first assistant superintendent of the
Mormon church Sunday school and sec
rotary Of the missionary committee Of
the apostles, and formerly clerk OF
recorder Of the endowment house
This, relation was severed in about
1871. The endowment house was torn
down In 1890, but the temple is now
used for the same purposes. Mr.. Rey.
nolds told the committee that he has
given certificates of marriage since he
ceased to be recorder of the endowment
house, in cases where widows sought
to obtain pensions. He made the Ger.
ttificates from records In his possession
but these records, he said, had since
been removed to the temple, and be
has not access to them nov
In answer to questions by Senator
.Overman Mr.. Reynolds said marriages
were performed with dead persons ir
the endowment house.
Mr.. Tayler then asked If divorces
were granted in the endowment house
1.-THE church grants divorces to those
who have been married for time anc
Eeternity, but does not divorce lega.
marriages until the courts have acted
said Mr.. Reynolds. Plural marriages
are not recognized by courts, and
therefore, the church does not consulr
the court in granting divorces in cases
of such marriages"
Divorces from Dead Persons.
Senator Foraker asked if such di
vorces are granted from dead per
sons. :; H;,si5j$t
"In a few instances only, 1 SHOULD
say" said the witness.
For something done after death, o.
before?" the senator asked.
I'm lifetime"
rs the dead person given an oppor
tunity to be heard?" the senator asked
mo, sir; it is because such case,
are held to be unjust to the dead &C
cused, that 50 few divorces Of this kline
are granted" said the witness.
"Is anyone appointed to defend tn,
accused?"
Never; but the complainant ii
given q hearing, If satisfactory evi
dence Is furnished to the church."
Then it is purely ex parte?"
purely So"
Senator Overman was attempting t,
bring out what assurance a man ma.
have of meeting his several wives ii
Heaven, if divorces are granted afte
his death, when the loon recess Of tn,
committee was taken.
Gage Seriously Ill.