The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-22

washington, April .0.-With the
reopening of the investigation in the
Reed Smoot case. before the Senate
committee on privileges and elections,
she prosecution devoted considerable
time TO drawing from Brigham FL.
Roberts the character of the oaths
which are said to be necessary for
a hormonsofficiaI to take, in order to
have the Support of the church for
political office. Members of the COM
mittee showed an equal interest in the
obligations which are said to be taken
by Mormons who ''go through the en-
dowment house" Along both lines,
much evidence was brought out which
is expected TO have considerable bear
ing of the fitness of a Mormon church
official to hold a seat in Congress.
1t was shown by Mr.. Roberts tes-
umony that without the consent of
the Mormon church. he failed of cleo
ton to a seat in Congress. and later
with church recognition of his can
didacy he was elected. In relation to
the endowment house obligation Mr..
Roberts was extremely reucent. Mr.
Roberts said he has three wives, one
married in 1877. the second in 1886
and the third in 1890. He said he
has had children by all of the wives,
and by the first plural wife since his
election 10 Congress.
Senator OVerman inquired of Mr..
Roberts whether his first wife and
his second wife had consented to his
third wife.
NO. sir" said Mr. Roberts. They
did not learn of the marriage for
three or four years"
How was that?" asked Senator
Beveridge. DO you mean to say that
one7"
1T was known to some OF my
friends. but not to my wives" was the
answer.
Why was this marriage concealed
frsm them" asked Chairman Bur
rows.
Because I did not want to embar-
rass them"
How embarrass them?"
We'll. we knew the marriage was
Illegal. and it might be embarrassing
TO them if they should, for any rea-
son. be called on to testify"
Mr.. Taylor asked Mr.. Roberts why
he thought it incumbent upon him te
take plural wives.
from DOynOOQ, reDneO lIlS VIII
ness, II had been taught the rightful-
ness Of plural marriages, and / be-
iieyed this practice to be the law OF
God. / knew that this practice wa.
contrary to the mandates OF Congress
but believed that the law of God wa:
6he highest rule, and l felt impellet
TO obey it,
Chairman Burrows asked a number
of pointed questions. which breugh
!" O1 ,-S
that he still believes in and is practc
ing polygamy. He said that he be
lieves that the Woodruff manifesto
1es divinely inspired and that now IL
pracucing polygamy he knows he il
dsobeying both the laws of the lani
and the laws of Cod He was asket
why he continued to disobey the law!
OF God, and if he believed them to b<
the highest laws, and with a resigned
air, he added: We'll, the manifest,
left me in the midst Of obligations t.
these wives. / am trying to do tn,
best can to live within the laws bu
these obligations I cannot shirk.'
At the afternoon session Mr.. Rob
erts said no action had ever beer
taken by the church in respect to hi
living with more than one wife.
Questions were asked respecting
Mr.. Roberts views regarding tn
manifesto of 1890 against plural mar
riageS and living in polygamous co
habitation. and the witness said h
regarded the manifesto as an admins
tratiVe act of the church and of bind
ing force upon all members. He ad
mitted that to disobey any Of thos
laws would subject the member t
liability to church discipline. Tn
witness was asked then in regard t
polygamous cohabitation. and sal
that he and many others were Twin
in polygamy at the time the rule wa
made against such cohabitation, an
that they considered themselves unde
moral obligation to live with tn
wives they had married
DO you think you are merall
bound to cohabit with all Of you
w1ves?" Chairman Burrows asked
az do
How many children have you?"
Thirteen living"
How many not living7"
Two"
when was the last one born"
About two or two and a half yeal
ago.
Mr.. VanCott, in cross examination
asked in regard to the rule whfc
permits officials OF the church 10 ent>
Pslftics, and the witness said he n