The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-03
SHOOTS (; J; !! J /
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P:''O||.LI.,Y'.C|':ii..A.I|..M''|'|.Y'|l {: ]. !. Y
DeClaresIHis BelieftOthe.
I Committee.
EFFORT no AIR h
INNERMOST SECRETS. e S.
Closcl Questioned q: as \ e. tthfrc. 8tthfrcIs.
335 Principles Of 9 90 Diving s..
s3i # R'evclativ ':','' I. v1'1rl
DEC LARED 1 he. HAD 3,
DIVINE PlRATlONO
The Investigation of Protests
#Against.Morflon Senator Hold
ing His Scat iii Senate Was Was
Directed Only III Slight
N. Degree Against Sen
ators Himself.

.s(BY. Associated / Eress.l

s WASHINGTON. March 2.--An effort to
mon fnit Ii was manifested In tho first
days proceedings before the Senate Com
tmittee on Privileges and Elections In an
Investigation OF the protests against Reed
slnoot retaining his seat us senator from
Utah. President Joseph ~ Smith the
highest official OF the church was on tho
stand all day. He was questioned closely,
insrcgnrd to the. principles Of divine rcye-53
.lations. He said he adhered absolutely
to nll the teachings Of the church In that
regard. and that he himself had been
visited with divine insp piratiuns from God.
lie also said that he still believed sir
3polyga my. The testiE,ony was directed in
a slight degree only at Senator SIN oot,
and no ttempt was made by he defense
10 curtaIl thcsadmisslon Of testimony nll-3
Smitliswas questioned In re-
iation to l,olygamous practices Of certain
lofiiciulsEon the churct bel fore the ma ~ =
ifesto of 1890. The ttorne eys hen objec ted ted
and much time was q evo ted \ 10 he re-
leyancy$ OF. s,ch .es stimony. 'fllc commit
lcc went :into executive session. and nfter
lhg gfnil discussion determined to allow the
utmost latitude to the hearings which
means that court practices Will be avoided
and thus tho first victory was scored for
the Protcstants. The committee will hear
spiractIcallyta tho prosecution has to offer
and determine for itself what is 3compc-
tent testimony The committee will hold
daily sessions. & q
President Smith.
President Smith. OF the Mormon Church.
was the first witness. X. w. Tayler,
counsel for the Protcstants, asked Mr..
Smith IL he was Il prophet, seer and
revelator
Tho witness said he was 80 sustained"
and received his powers by reason Of the
position he holds in the church. He said
tho apostles Of the church were 'sus- Y
.tained" init same powers s prophets.
secrs and revelators.s
Y Mr.. Smith explained that the first pres
.idenc., Is the president Of the church and
two high priests or councillors and the
twelve apostles arc next In authority.
iI'Ec presidents are elected by the coun-4
ell and the apostles. he said, but he
believed and It. is taught that tho nresi-
dents arc really chosen by divine rove 4
3latlon Eand they arc then endowed with
Tho authority of tho lloIy priesthood, by
authority direct from God. Il l$
In relation to revelations the witness
said The church holds I hat any. elder may
receive Il revelation for his own. guild
.nncc. 5
trhen Mr. Smoot may receive such
revelations direct from God" sud Mr..
1'nyler. i1i 5f' y }35iE :. AZ
',For his own guidance, yes. vas tho
answer. 85- -, si a
Mr.. smith said only those revelations
ia the president which had been pre-
scnted to the church and accepted by
Tho members, were binding upon hem.
MIR. 0vern,an wanted to know wha e hap
.pencd to those whodid not believe In tho
Inspired revelations II
5@.,Syerc they ,inchurched q he asked N.
"Ihey unchulched themselves, MAS the
response. ss
\ Mr.. Taylcr put Tho situation In this