Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-19
Body on Privileges and Elections
Listen to Presentations of
Attorneys.
NO CHARGE MADE THAT SMoo1
HIMSELF WAS A P0LYGAnlS1
Former Representative Taylor OUT
lines What He Will Try to Prove
Declares Mormon Priesthood As
sumes to Exercise Authority su.
perior to States.

lor, of Ohio, was heard for some OF the
protestants, and T. P. Stephenson, for
those who are representing the National
Reform association. A. S. Worthing-
ton and Waldemar Van Coot were pres
ent on behalf of Senator Smoot, who also
was In attendance. The first presenta-
ton was made by Mr. Taylor, who began
his statement by saying that he did not
know that any proof would be presented
in support of the charge that Mr.. Smoot
was a polygamist. Hetook up the ques-
ton on the right of the senate to expel
member, contending that the senate's
authority in the matter was limited
only by the question of propriety. On
the point of testimony, Mr.. Taylor said
the professionals expected to prove the
following charges:
The Charges Against smoot.
1. The Mormon priesthood, according
to the doctrine of the church and the
belief and practice of its membership,
is vested with, and assumes to exercise,
supreme authority in all things tenn
poral and spiritual, civil and political.
The head Of the church claims to re-
ceive Divine revelations, and these Reed
Smoot, by his covenants and obligations,
is bound to accept and obey.
2. The first presidency and IL apostles.
Of whom Reed Smoot is one, are supreme
in exercising the authority Of the
church, and in the transmission of the
authority to their successors. Each OF
them is called a prophet, seer and re-
velator
8. AS is shown by their teachings and
by their own lives, this body of men
has not abandoned beliefs in polyg-
amous cohabitation. On the contrary:
(a) AS the ruling authorities of the
church they promulgate in the most
solemn manner the doctrine Of polyg-
amy, without reservation.
(b) The president of the Mormon
church and majority of the IL apos.
ties now practice polygamy and
polygamous cohabitation, and some Of
them have taken polygamous wives
since the manifesto of 1880. These
things have been done with the knowl.
edge and countenance of Reed Smoot
plural marriage ceremonies have beer
performed by apostles since the mani.
festo of 1890, and many bishops and
other high officials of the church have
taken plural wives since that time. AL
Of the first presidency and the II
apostles encourage, countenance, con-
ceal and connive at polygamy and
polygamous cohabitation, and honor
and reward by high office and dis,
tinguished preferment those who nost
persistently and defiantly violate the Law
of the land.
4. Though pledged by the compact o.
statehood and bound by the law Of theil
commonwealth, this supreme body
whose voice is law to it's people, and
whose members were individually d.
rectly responsible for good faith to the
American people, permitted, without
protest or objection, their legislators tt
pass law multiplying the statute against
polysamous cohabitation.
For all these things Reed Smoot is re.
sponsible in law and In conscience, tc
this body and to the American people
Reply to the Charges.
In reply, Mr. Worthington said thu
statements made by Mr.. Taylor differ
very materially from the charges made
in the formal statements, and he asked
time in which to make reply, which
was granted.
Mr.. Worthington agreed that there
was no limit to the power Of the senate
to pass upon the notification Of it's OWL
members, but contended that its justifl-
cation is limited. He laid down the
general proposition. that the senate was
without jurisdiction Of offenses which
may have been committed before mem.
Der became a senator, unless commit.
ted in connection with his election.
None to Charge Po1ygamy.
Senator McComas asked whether
there was anyone present who appeared
for the person who charges Mr.. Smp1t
with being polygamist.
No one answered, and Mr.. Wofthing:
ton said that If anyone did appear te
support that charge it must be borne in
mind that Mr.. Smoot has positively de.
MED 1t. He referred to Mr.. Shoots an
swer settling forth the circumstances Of
his marriage, which Mr.. Worthingte1
said is the only marriage he has evel
contracted. He invited the fullest in.
quiry into Mr. Shoots life. 1--WE
throw down the bars" he said, 'and
invite you to investigate his entire
career"
Turks Terrorize Beirut, Syria,
Constantinople, Jan. 18.-Mutinous
Turkish troops have been terrorizinf
Peirus, Syria. for several days. The
mutineers, who number about 1,B00 men
were landed January II from Yemen
Arabia, and Immediately besieged thu
governors palace, demanding the pay.
ment of about $4,000 in arrears, and
threatening otherwise to sack the town
The governor succeeded in pacifying the
men, and made them daily advances
borrowing from the branch of the Otto
man bank until Thursday, when the
bank was closed owing to 1t being 8
holiday. The latest accounts received
here said the mutineers were threaten,
ing to sack the bank.
Apply to Cancellation Board.
Hazleton, Pa, Jan. 1S.-T. d. Nichols
secretary of the Cancellation board, Sat
urday sent request to Judge George
Gray, of the Third judicial district, fol
the appointment of an umpire to decide
FIVE grievances from the Wyoming and