The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-05
SMITH DECLARES HE COULD
 NEVER DESERT HIS CHILDREN
Continued from First Page,

Continued from First Paae)
 said before, I am not a spotter or inform CT" answered witness. The words spot ter" and 'informer" were hissed rather than spoken.
 Neither am I paid spotter or in- former" retorted Senator Overman. Yet know that in my town, people have children. think you might answer that question without using the words 'spotter and Informed in that manner"
 T beg the senator's pardon" the wit ness responded.
 Senator Dubois asked several questions directed to determine the correctness of the statement that not more than or per cent of the Mormons were poly gamists and said he believed he could show that greater number than that 1 had been convicted of the charge. He asked MT. Smith how many of his pre- l decessors had been monogamists and MT. Smith said he believed that all of them had had plural wives.
 And I believe you said that your suc- oessor to the throne has more than one wife?' said Senator Dubois.
 Smith Makes Correction. "1 wish to correct the senator" re- sponded MT Smith. "There is no suc- | cessor to the throne"
 Senator Dubois fixed the manner of succession and said he would withdraw the offensive term that he merely want ed to ascertain that the successor had been determined upon and that he is polygamist. The witness admitted that was the case.
 Quoting from the New Testament Sen- ator Hoar said it Is stated that there is command that "The bishop shall be sober and have one wife"
 "At least one wife, MT. Smith inter- rupted.
 Well, we don't construe 1t that way in our church" said Senator Hoar, amid | laughte.
 "What I wanted to get at is this: Now I know several bishops In our churches who are bachelors Do you regard 1t divine command that the bishops shall nave one wife or more? What I want to know Is how you eonstrue that command?
 Chairman Raps for Order. 1 T believe the practif9 of polygamy was | general among the Jews at ths time the | Scriptures were written," said MT Smith | T believe that 1t was commanded that a | bishop should be a married man because his duties made 1t necessary that he should be an experienced man. qIere the | chairman had to rap loudly to restore order in the committee room). Senator McComas took the witness in | hand to bring out whether as the head of the Mormon chuch, MT Smith had ever rebulsed the apostles of the church for teaching polygamy since the manifesto of 1890 and MT. Smith declared:
 NO member of the church has ever | taught polygamy since that time" How about Apostle Grant?"
 MT. Smith asserted that the incident | over which the anti-Mormon papers have made such a 'hubub" had been a declara- | tion merely that Apostle Grant had two | wives, That declaration the witness said had been made by Grant in a private speech and he had not taught the practice l of the system.
 What would you do if the principle of plural marriages was publicly attacked?" Senator McComus asked 1 "We would defend It." said Mir Smith It was noon when this point was reach ed and as none of the senators desired to ask any more questions of the witness MT. Taylor was instructed to present the various documents and books which he | desired to offer as exhibits. | He said it would take him half an hour to read them and the committee adjourned | until D. m.
 Afternoon Session.
 When the afternoon session of the com- mittee opened, MT. Taylor read from the book Doctrine and Covenants" the first revelation to Joseph, the Seer at Kirk | land, O.. in 1881. declaring that he had been chosen to receive revelations, and that none other should be chosen until he is taken" and then to be chosen through him only.
 Many other extracts from subsequent revelations were read, including that re- lating to polygamous marriages, and the | authority to seal for eternity" or to per- l form celestial marriages. These passages | were incorporated into the record as a | part of the testimony.
 The book on Mormonism by Brigham H. Roberts was next taken up and treated in the same manner Senator Hoar in a | lengthy statement, going over the testi- mony that has been introduced, said that 1t would be soon known whether MT Tay- | Ter expects to controvert the facts as set forth by MT. Smith that there have been | no plural marriages since 1890, but those | who had plural wives would continue to | care for them.
 'I expect to show" said MT. Tayler, | that many plural marriages have been solemnized In Utah since 1s90."
 And that MT. Smott had knowledge OF them?" asked MT. Beveridge.
 Cannot Connect Shoots Name.
 "Whether with his knowledge, can l not say. I cannot connect Shoots name | l Ter Continuing. he said: q expect to show that these marriages have been consummated among officers of | the church, and that Senator Shoot, as a member of that hierarchy, must have had knowledge of the fact" Many quotations from the book called | Articles of Faith were included in the record. among them one which declared that one chosen of God had the same authority to teach his word and make commands as powerful, as though they l came from the Savior himself. l This was read to sustain revelations to | Joseph Smith. Jr or his successors. A | pamphlet on the Thacher episode by Ed win c. Wooley was read in which it was said. If that character persisted in his candidacy for the senate on a plat | form not in harmony with the wishes of | the church, the logical outcome would be to cut him of from the church. Defense Takes the Case. | At 3:15 D. m. MT Smith was taken In hand by the defense and questioned by | MT Worthington.
 Mir. Worthington called attention to