New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-03
a REMARKABLE INQUIRY
Fi-r of the Kind EUer Undertaken
Mormon Presidents Testimony.

vssAhgtoa. March The Investigation which
hp decide whether Reed suoot. Of Utah. IS 10
-, his seat IN the United States Senate. and IN
,sss.slv define the political status OF the Mormon
eeurch was formally begun to-day before the
senate Committee on Privileges and Elections
Great interest attaches 10 the hearings because OF
ths tusl purpose Of the inquiry. Other investiga-
slo,s hive been directed al the rights o. certain
contestants 70 seats IN Congress- but never before
has there been an inquiry into c7ee6s political
Factors 10 Determine whether unlawful influence
a. being exerted IN the affairs q the nation such
A. the nature OF the smoot inquiry. and a. the open
inr session to-day It was conceded the hearings
would last several weeks and precipitste e contest
fr which well known lawyers viii fght every tnch
OF the way. Interest Increased with the announce
nneut that Joseph r. Smith president o. the Nor
mon Church would be the first witness. and. 81 al
probability occupy the attention Of the committee
Cor two or three DAYS. The attorneys Cor the &C.
fence-A S Wo-thinrton. o. this city. and Wade
mar Van Cott Of Salt Lale-arrived early and con-
serred with their client. John Q. Carlisle, formerly
Secretary o. the Treasury. and r ". Tayle-, for
merry a Representative tn Congress, and the
sttoruey who prosecuted the successful contest
against Brigham II. Roberts retaining his seat r.
Congress as a Representative from Utah. on the
ground OF violation a. the Anti-Polygany law, are
the counsel for the protestants. Half dozen Wit
nsssg nearly all Of them officials Of the Mormon
Church- occupied seats IN the rear OF the large
and watched the proceedings with interest
MoRNoy PRESIDENT OK WITNESS STAND.
NJ Tsyler asked that President Joseph F. Smith
b. sworn.
The first questions asked brought out the fact
that Nr. Smith is president OF the Church lie
born IN Missouri, in 1S3S went TO Utah n 1s4s
and always has been Il the Church.
Er. Tayler asked Ny. Smith y he was q prophet
seer and ''revelator"
The witness said he 80 sustained rafE
ne received his powers by reason q the place he
holds In the Church. The apostles OF the Church
were sustained" in the same powers IS prophets
Eeers and 'revelstors-" lie said he sustained the
same powers as his predecessors. he gave q long
list q companies OF which be is president. A list
Of the first presidency or twelve apostles govern
ing the Church. was read by Mr.. layer and
identified by AR Smith. This list included JLs
name q Reed Snoot- Mr.. Smith expIaineS that
the arst presidency is the president O. the Church
and Two high priests or councillors and that tire
Twelve apostles are next IN authority. The pres-
dents are elected by The council and the apostles
he SAID, but he believed. and q is taught that TIE
presidents are really chosen by divine revelation.
and they are then endowed with the authority o.
ne holy priesthood by authority direct from God
he sad The apostles might elect 70 their number
u me event ~ vacancy. but that they would not
80 contrary 10 the wish of the first presidency.
Throughout the testimony Mr.. Smith used suck
expressions as i think Il presume" and 7 be-
heVe.' These expressions proved unsatisfactory 10
members o. The committee. and Senator Hoar SAD
he wanted 20 understand whether A1r. Smiths
statements Implied doubt or were simply an IN
fortunate MODE OF speech. NJ Smith said be used
expressions which were not positive when re re-
le'iea 70 matters from memory. but that IL al
matters OF The Church. Of revelations and the pow
as q Tie Church. he was certain. and cid not
"-n' 70 be misunderstood.
AS TO REVELATIONS
n relatoa to revelations the witness said the
Nnlfch holds that any elder may receive a ressia-
ta1 Tor his own guidance
-nen Nr S-oot may receive such revelations
NC from Goc2" said AR. Tayler.
Lor ne Owl guidance. yes" was the answer.
- sll1h SAD only those revelations 20 the presi-
Nneh had been presented 10 the Church and
~a By The members. were binding on them.
- ossfna1 wanted 20 know what happened 10
,io-. . &C not believe in TIE inspired reveia-
- were they unchurchedT'' he asked.
- unchurched themselves" was the reply.
So. more direct questioning concerning the
- . members o. the Church 70 reject revela-
~ ar layer put the question in this form:
s me members o. the Church say TO you we
~ mai Goo has told you 10 ten Us that, and
-oi Receive your revelation? Could that occur
~ he Church7.
- oould," was the reply.
- us ever been done?" asked Mr. Hear
w iaat know o.
,.-.. ~ that IL Just what I have been calling at
-. &c sad AR. Boa- The witness says.
vi nat know o."
-'-5-s 10 AR Smith ice remarked that tho an
g. oppressed dousL aid more poiEtediy he
r.y,1-. Aas the Church ever rejected any OF your
p-.s's1lonsl Have any OF the revelations 20 the
aen;s been re1ected7"
Explains MORMON PRINCIPLES.
So 10y say word on that nrst?" asked NJ
a. - -le stood NJ and was notioeably concerned
-, ENC o. the quesronfnC. In extended
-on o. the relations which members % the