The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-09
DEF|ES THE LAWS
OF GOD AND man
Does Mormonism Mean
LimitIess License?
HEAR LYMAN SPEAK
President of the Twelve Apostles
Chosen Successor of the Head of
the Church, Makes the Most
Astounding Admissions
Heard Yet,
lBx the Associated Press


Washington, March S.-The Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections to-
day in the investigation of the protests
against Senator Reed Smoot OF Utah,
brought out a variety of testimony, of
which the most sensational was that given
by Francis NJ. Lyman, president of the
twelve apostles of the Mormon church
and the man chosen to be the successor OF
President SMITH. His admissions were
similar to those previously made by Mr.
Smith pertaining to the church govern
ment He is more free of speech than
the president of the church and his testi-
mony, though not materially differing
caused several of the apostles present to
shake their heads at the witness for the
purpose of compelling more discretion in
answering questions.
;Ir. Lyman is angularly built, bis face
is covered with a growth of bushy red
whiskers, and his speech is blunt.
Mrs. Clara Mabel Kennedy resumed the
stand for short time, but her testimony
was not important. She was followed by
Charles E. Merrill, son of Apostle Mer-
rill, who said he was the son of his fa-
theirs plural wife, and is himself a polyg-
amist. In answer to questions concerning
his own marriages Mr.. Merrill said he
was married first in 1887 To a wife that
died in 1889, and that he married his "le
sal wife" Chloe Hens rjoss IN 1891, and
bad FIVE children by her. He married
another wife in 1888. He has had four
children by that wife. This marriage he
regarded as illegal, on account of his prior
marriage.
Mr. Merrill said he now has two wives
and is cohabitating with both.
Senator Overman asked for a descrip-
tion of marriage ceremony in 1888 and the
witness declared that he could not remem-
her how II was performed.
You say you were living with your
mother when you were married the secoud
time. Where was your father, Apostle
Merrill, at that timer" was asked.
'He was on the underground most Of
the time" said the witness jocularly.
What do you mean by 'on the under
ground?'" asked Mr.. Worthington.
He was in hiding
"Why was he in hiding?" asked the
chairman.
Because about that time there were
prosecutions going on for polygamy," Mr..
Merrill answered. He said that often
times he would not see his father for
month.
The prosecution called to the stand Mrs
emma Matthews, of Marysville, Utah,
mother of Mrs Clara Mabel Kennedy.
She has been a plural wife but is not
now.
Mrs. Matthews said that she had had
no objection to her daughter becoming
Johnson's plural wife. She remembered
we'll tho marriage of Johnson to her
daughter and fixed the date definitely at
May. 1894.
1t was brought out that Apostle Teas
dale had advised her against allowing her
daughter 10 become a plural wife on the
ground that it was against the law Of the
church
Mr. Merrill was temporarily recalled and
questioned by Senator DuBoise, who
asked
"Mr. Merrill, do you still uphold the
doctrines OF polygamy?'
''No, sir, was the reply.
But you practice it?"
Il do"
Francis NJ. Lyman, an apostle of the
Mormon church and the prospective sue
cessor Of Mr. Smith as president of the
church was the next witness.
care YOU a polygam'st?'' Mr.. Tayler
asked and the witness replied frankly,
Yes" He said that he had had three
wives and that of the three two are
still living.
Mr. LYMAN said that he had been one
of the signers of the prayer for amnesty,
pledging himself to all that it contained.
Mr.. Tayler read portions of the prayer.
"Did YOU" he asked "interpret that to
mean that you would abstain from
nolvaamous CO. o~habitation?"
ct ;nterpreted it to mean that l should
do all that was right.
..D;d Won think it would be right to
abstain from polygamous rehabilitation ?"
This was not answered directly at the
timc Mr. LYMAN finally admitted lie
kncw fiat in living in polygamy ne was
disobeving both the law OF the land and
the rule Of bis church. He also said in
ronl, - ONO Of these questions that he
was not only now living in polygamous
-I,h;tat;on but that he expected to
continue 50 to llve'
M uoar at last took the witness IN
ham and brought out succinct state
nant fron, him which was of character
"Peforr;nr to the rule of which you
nelciline sll,int ;, Mr.. Hoar said, you under
stand the rule or law oi at a,te .. .''''h - Oe
Mr.. LYMAN replied tha' such was MS
Understanding. .. - ,.