Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-03-03

N--- -'AoA iiiOli ClluTcU some SOunN
relatlon TO the information the church
had III civil affairs, and that unless he
WIS assured of that he should object.
FOR my part" he said, Il do not
thlnk Congress has anything 70 do with
rehSlous affairs and would like to know
the purpose OF the direction that has
been taken in the proceedings"
MI. Taylor answered that the prose-
cution would attempt to show that the
church directed affairs of state, politics
ana IN fact all matters and consequent
ly the method of procedure was neres-
sary. No further objection was made.
Mr.. Burrows announced that the
hearings would be held every day until
concluded.
During the progress of the Smoot
hearing, this afternoon, President
Smith stated that Notwithstanding the
second revelations stopping poygarly,
he believed the first revelation pcrn,it-
ting 1t was correct.
Il cannot help my belief" he sail.
AT the afternoon session Mr. Smith
was again on the stand. Before pro-
ceeding Mr.. Hoar said he wanted to
understand one more point in regard
TO the revelations and that was wheth-
er women members of the church We're
permitted to vote on questions of ac-
ceptance or rejection of revelations
Mr.. Smith answered that women voted
on all of these matters.
1t was brought out that the supreme
court decided in 1873 in the Reynolds
case that plural marriages as practised
in ttIp Mormon church
ard Mr.. Taylor asked whether the
church accepted that ruling of the su-
prcmc court.
Mr.. Smith answered that the law
question was finally passed on in 1889
and that since that time he had no
knowledge of any plural marriages talk
ing place. Before that time and since
the Reynolds decision he said he prob
ably knew Of some such marriages.
Continuing the inquiry in relation to
divine revelation, Mr.. Taylor asked in
regard to the manifesto of President
Woo.iford Woodruff in 1890 command
ing Il suspension of the requirement
tn 1T pOlygamy be practiced in the
church and also the prayer for am
ncsty in 1890. The questions We're nu-
mercus and were to ascertain whether
the members Of the church considered
these declarations affect the continu-
ance of cohabitation Of these previous
" married. Mr.. Smith said it was re-
garGCd that they did affect such per-
sons.
Mr.. Tayler asked: do you so re-
gard ito"
THE command did not change my
view on the question of plural mar
riagcs." he answered.
Being pressed further on the sar?c
subject for his personal belief, Mr..
Smith said:
Il believe plural marriages to bn
right"
Mr.. burrows directed n number Of
questions to Mr. Smith bclring nn"n
the consistency of Mr.. Smiths answers
relating to his belief in and acceptance
OF the Divine revelations. He said:
Il understand you to say you belinv'
in the revelations to Joseph Smith. Jr..
in regard to polygamy and still think
il is right?"
YES"
"And the manifesto of President
Woodruff declaring suspension of the
polygamy principle was a revelation,
was ii not?"
Yes"
How can that be-" pressed Mr.
Burrows. "One declares in favor of
rolygamy and the other stops it,
Il adhere to both in my belief" said
Mr.. Smith. Il believe polygamy was
right or l should never have married
more than one wife,
LAS l understand it." Mr.. Hoar i'll
terrupted. the last revelation does not
prohibit polygamy but merely suspends
the former principle commanding it.
1t may still be believed that the prac-
tice is innocent and proper, but rs the
Divine command to continue it is
stopped. the members of the church
submit to the civil law on the question
of plural marriages."
''That is right" subscribed Mr.
Smith.
MIR. Taylor asked number of oucs-
lions relating to Abraham Fl. Cannon
and others of the Mormon faith in Or
der to bring out the witness kro,vI-
edge of the question whether or not
| they We're polygamists and whether
they had married since the manifesto
of 1850.
Mr.. Smith said he was acquainted
with Lillian II. Hamlin. who was
known us the wife of Mr.. Cannon. but
that he had mover seen her before IS4;
Mr.. Van Cott on behalf of Senator
Smoot made n protest against going
into the conduct of persons not inter-
ested in the case ana asking ulestiors
which could have no bearing on It he
| fore the committee.
He referred to questions which had
been asked by Mr. Hoar CONCERNING
Mr.. Smiths belief. and questions bv
Mr. Burrows in relation to the incon-
sistency of the belief.
Mr.. Van COtt declared that the state
laws protect person in his belief no
m1ttcr what the tendency of the belief
so long as their is no practice in vio.
Iation Cf law. and that therefore tba
line of questioning was not reachinc
any end. He read from Mr.. Taylors :
statement that Mr.. Smoot was not
charged with any offence cognizable bv
J law.