The Washington times., 1904-03-04

The third days session of the Smoot
investigation by the Senate Committee
on Privileges and Elections was marked
by testimony given by President Joseph
+. Smith, which convulsed Senators and
spectators with laughter. Little new
light was shed upon the subject Of
polygamy as a practice, the examina-
tion relating almost exclusively to its
inn OductiOn as a religious Injunction to
tho members of the Mormon Church.
Senator Hoar played the part of in
ouisitOr almost as much as Attorney
Tayler himself. He got into eS-
tended colloquy with Mr.. Foraker. which
lea 20 a verbal see-saw lasting several
minutes As in recent debate in the
Senate on the Panama treaty. Mr.. HoIr
thought Mr.. Foraker was misrepresent-
ing his position. and persisted in ex-
pIaining what he really had said and
what he actually meant. Mr.. Foraker s
comments were directed to convincing
his colleague that such was also his
intention.
Raised a Laugh.
Soon afterward the committee was
convulsed with laughter. With the ap-
parent intention of disproving by the
Bible the claims made BY President
Smith in favor Of polygamy. Mr.. Hoar
quoted from the New Testament. He
asked the witness If according to our
New Testament
Which is ours. TOO interposed the
witness.
Mr. Hoar continued-Is it not com
manded that bishop shall be sober and
tho husband Of one wife,
AT least one" interrupted the wit
ness. who finally Joined in the burst Of
laughter
Mr.. Hoar pressed for an expression OF
opinion as to why more wives were ap-
proved by the church. The witness
answered:
Because the duties Of the bishop re-
Quire an experienced man." Laugh
teri
Joke on Beveridge.
Some amusement was caused by
Chairman Burrows referring TO Senator
BeVeridge's questions as Inquiries
made by counsel " The Indiana Sena-
tor has participated largely i'm the ex-
animation by ASKING questions to which
answers favorable 10 Senator Smoot
are usually forthcoming.
The early part of the session was
given the appearance Of a Mormon
meeting by President Smith reading a
long extract from the Book OF Doc
trincs. Senators and spectators sat in
Silence while the head Of the church
propounced his beliefs. reading from
the book. as IL to a congregation Of his
followers. The portion read was a dis
scrtation by the founier or the church
on tho text: Many shall be called. but
few chosen.
Outside OF the the great interest at
taching TO the testimony of President
Smith. the most prominent develop
ment in the Smpot case is the fact that
81 IS the church itself. and not Mr..
Smoot that IS on trail
The efforts OF the prosecution have
80 FAR been directed 10 show that the
leaders OF the church. including the
president himself. still practice polyg-
amy. TO the extent Of supporting and
cohabitiug with plural wives in viola
ton az hw: that the example set by
these officer is am encouruComent IL
not ar Incentive. 20 the continuation
of the practice among the members OF
the church. that the organization OF
the church is such that I'm all Of its
a.fairs the influence Of its chief officers
IS paramount. that Senator Smoot is
one Of the apostles. and. as such. is
bound by the decision. Of hls associates
in his every act. that the church Is not
only supreme in religious affairs. but
controls practically all or the productive
business enterprises OF Utah. and that
its influence iu politics IS as widespread
as Il is in religion or business.
Jlging an this from the standpoint
that the presiding officers of the church
are criminals I'm the eyes OF the law.
because OF thcir continuous plural Coz
habitadOn. and that Alr. Smoot has NO,
rehuked them. but has continued to ass
scCiate himself with them. as one of
them, the prosecution expects TO SHOW