Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-04-20
He Is Asked About His Relations
With the Church and His
Family Affairs,
BUT NOTHING ABOUT THE SENATOR
Seven Witnesses Will be Examined,
When an Adjournment to July
IS Will be Taken.
Cspeolal to the "News.")

Washington, u. C., April 20,-Fifty
minutes suificcd for the first session
OF the renewal OF the smoot hearing
before the senate committee on privil~
eyes and election today. II was ii
o'clock before a quorum Of members
appeared but long before that hour
the seats reserved for ladies' were fill
ed, even the convention OF the d. A. X.
failed to attract them from the COM
mittee room. The most conspicuous
figure Of the female gathering was con-
splcuous by her absence The lady
with the lorgnette.' who has never
missed session before failed to APP
pear, Still there was the usual display Of
millinery mostly Of the spring variety
although the weather Is Of the wintry
variety, John G.. Carlisle made his
second appearance. lie has attended
only once before. He sat by the side
OF Tayler hut took no part in the ex-
animation. Messrs. Richards and Van
Colt sat opposite near Mr.. Worthing-
ton. Senator Shoots local counsel,
Nearby were Angus NJ. Cannon Judge
o. w. Powers and h. II, Roberts OF
Utah and Mr.. Cobb Of the Idaho
Statesman who arrived In response to
q subpoena yesterday. This afternoon
Moses Thatcher add l., L. Abbott OF
Davis county are expected. As soon
as a quorum OF the committee appeared
Brigham II. Roberts was invited to the
witness chair and after being catechis-
ed as 10 his personal relations with
the Church he was asked concerning
his marital affairs, Mr.. Roberts proved
to be as frank n witness as any who
have preceded him. He answered every
question promptly and explicitly ex-
cept when the questions were OF such
nature as to give him the right to
decline to answer. He admitted three
marriages, and that he has continued
to maintain polygamous relations since
the manifesto The committee seems
determined to accumulate an addi-
tional mass OF testimony proving what
no one denies but from appearance
little more bearing directly upon the
point at issue, namely Reed Shoots
right to hold his seat, Is to be brought
out.
Washington, d, c., April 20, 1904.
MI. Roberts direct examination was
concluded within few minutes after
the committee reassembed this after
noon and then under questions from
Senator Bailey he explained how It was
that anyone holding an official position
cannot hold a political Office without
first obtaining the consent OF the au.
thorites or else resigning his official
connection with the Church. The idea
Of Baleys questions was to show that
the rules OF the Church may prevent
the very best men from accepting Of
fee, and he expressed his belief that
there appears TO be a conflict between
the duties OF Mormon Official to his
Church ana to the state, Mr. Roberts
could not say what course he would
adopt In the remote event mai con-
fict arose between the Church and
state, He had dehed the Church au-
thorltes once and had been defeated
WILL EXAMINE SEVEN WIT.
NESSES.
Washington April 2O-What viii ne
termed second round OF the Reed
Smool contest opened today before tho
senate committee on privileges and
elections. il VAS announced that seven
Witnesses would be heard before the
adjournment Of Congress and II Is
practically certain that the committee
viii then adjourn 10 convene July Is,
At that time VIII be examined Wit
ncsses who were unable 10 come 10
Washington and others who could not
be reached with summons 70 come
here
Important testimony for the prose-
cutlon is expected TO be- developed Mt
this session OF the committee, The
hearing opened without formality NJ
any character Brigham II Roberts
was called 10 the stand by Mr. Tayler.
He was questioned 70 bring out u state
ment Of his official connection with the
Church.
Mr. Roberts said he was elected to the
position OF one Of the FIRST seven pres
idents OF seventy In 1855 and entered
politics about 1859, HIS interest was
manifested in making speeches hut he
was not a candidate for office until 1891.
He then was elected as "A member OF the
convention.
lie explained fully certain criticisms
which had been made OF an alleged IN
Huence which the First Presidency ana
Apostles had brought 10 bear against
the aspirations of himself ana others.
Mr., Roberts said he protested ana lat
en- the Church took up his protests, Mr.,
Roberts was defeated tho hyst time he
ran for Congress lie thought his last
child was born three OF four years ago.
In response TO questions OF Mr. Tay-
Ter, Mr., Roberts said his first plural
was performed by D. II.