The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-12
Draws from Witness Critchlow
Several Strong Points for
the Prosecution.
WOMEN IN THE CONTEST
They Urge Every Clergyman to
Ask Senators to Vote Against
Reed SmOot.

continued his HiStpIy VI the AlOIl iiOl
Church. detailing instances when the high
officials of the church have manifested their
power over the members in order to COM
pei obedience in all matters and where ex-
communication has been the price
Of an independent spirit. Senator Bever-
idge assisted in the cross-examination of
the witness and his attempts to prove GER
tain evidence incompetent elivened what
otherwise would have been the first dull
day Of the hearing.
Many women representing organizations
interested in the fight against Mr.. Smoot
arrived in Washington to-day to perfect
their plans and wage a more effective con-
test. They attended the sessions of the
committee and before and after the hear
ings met In committee rooms and discussed
the progress made. The delegation in
cluded the following: Mrs. Frederic Schoff,
of Philadelphia. president of the National
Congress of Mothers, and chairman of the
executive committee of the National Union
of women's Organizat tons; Mrs. Theodore
w. Birney, Washington, d. c., honorary
president of the National Congress of Moth
ers; Mrs. Charles A. Thorp. Philadelphia.
president New Century Club, Philadel-
.phia. and member of executive committee
of the N u. w. o.; Mrs. Boole, New York.
representing Mrs. Darwin r.. James, presi-
dent of the Women's Observation-Disclosures
Council, and member of the executive COM
mittee of the N. u. W. o.; Mrs. Alfred ID.
Warner, Wilmington, Del, general secre-
tary of the N. L. w. o.; Mrs. Tunis Ham
lin. general treasurer of the n. L. w. o.;
Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis. Washington, gem
eraI superintendent of the w. c.. 7. u, and
member OF the executive committee OF the
n. L.. w. o..
TOD nFEDTCA A. WON NrIInOn
The following statement was issued after
a meeting of the women: AT a meeting
of the executive board Of the National
League of Women Organizations of Amer
lea, held to-day in Washington, a resolution
was unanimoosly adopted requesting that
on Sunday, March q, or as soon thereafter
as possible, every clergyman in the United
States ask every man to write to his SEN
ators requesting them. in view of the evil
dence already presented in the case of Reed
Smoot, to vote against the retention of
Reed Smoot in the highest lawmaking body
of the country. For the honor of American
womanhood and the protection of the moral
standard of the American home, the Ma
tional League of Women's Organizations.
representing at least LOCO, 900 women, asks
this of the ministers of the country in aid
of their battle in defense of the home, on
which the safety of the Nation rests"
When the hearing was opened to-day Z.
Il. Critchlow resumed his statements in re-
gard TO conditions in Utah and prosecu-
tons of p~olygamists: An open letter from
Moses Thatcher to President Snow in re-
gard TO the platform on which he had
waged his campaign for senator was in
troduced, and Mr.. Critchlow referred to
threats which had been made against
| Thatcher in editorials in the Deseret News.
In the Legislature of 1901 was introduced
the Evans anti-polygamy bill to limit
prosecution fer certain classes of offenses.
President Snow and Joseph F. Smith were
in favor of the bill. said Mr.. Critchlow,
and Mr.. Snnoot was quoted as recommend
ing that the measure be left to the good
sense of the people. The witness told of the
passage of the bill by a vote of % to II in
the House, the veto by the Governor and
the sustaining of the veto.
GOVERNOR WAS A MORMON.
In answer to questions Mr.. Critchlow
said the Governor was a Mormon, but that
the sentiment of the country demanded
the veto on the grounds that it would de-
fend the presence of polygamy and prevent
prosecutions of violations of the law
against polygamous cohabitation. The veto
by the Governor was put into the record.
1t shows the Governor feared the passage
of the measure would be followed by a gen.
eral demand for a constitutional amend
ment directed solely at conditions in Utah.
and that the demand could not be ignored.
Governor Wells said the result would be
that the whole State would be put under a
BAN. The bill prohibited prosecutions for
polygamy. except when the husband or wife
filed complaint.
Following the history of the State down
to Mr.. Shoots candidacy for the Senate.
Mr.. Critchlow said Smoot announced his
candidacy first in 1900 and that the an
nouncement met with decided opposition
from Republicans and others. The objec-
tons were manifested, according To the
witness. at the Salt Lake elections for mem
bers of the Legislature and in expressions
from the Ministerial Association of Utah.
Mormons, as we'll as nonmormons, were
opposed TO sending an apostle to the SEN
ate and IT was well known to all that the
candidacy of Mr.. Smoot was not received
with favor. The witness said that laymen
in the Mormon Church felt that the candi-
dacy OF an apostle would be unwiSe, when
ii was charged that a quorum of the first
presidency and apostles were living i'm open
defiance of the laws against p~olygamous
Mr.. Critchlow referred to an alleged in
terview with Rood Smoot, which was
printed In the Salt Lake Telegram, Nov.
70, 1902, in which Mr.. Smoot is charged
with saying that he had no knowledge that
any apostles of the church were living in
polygamous cohabitation. 1t was stated by
the Telegram that Mr.. Smoot was told that
if he wanted the Information it would be
furnished, accompanied by all dates and
facts concerning the marriages.
MIR. Worthington objected to the state
ment on the ground that the interview was
denied by Mr.. Smoot and a long collouuy
ensued between the counsel and members
porter was directed TO ignore. Later the
entire matter was put in the record.
SMOOT HAS ONE WIFE.
After the usual recess. Mr.. Critchlow
proceeded with his statement. Senator
Beveridge questioned the witness in regard
TO the general reputation of Senator Smoot.
particularly as TO whether he is a polyea-
mist.
Mr.. Critchlow said he had never heard IL
charged that Mr.. Smoot has more than
one wife. The witness was asked concern
ing the protestants against Mr.. Smoot. and
he gave the list. accompanied by a state
ment as TO their business connections. and
as a result a number of them will be called
as witnesses in the case. In answer To in
quiries. Mr.. Critchlow said he had drafted
the protest against Mr.. Smoot.
Reference was made 10 the necessity of
the Mormons getting the consent of their
ects and the effect of proceeding when
such a consent was withheld.
MIR. CritchlOw said il was the opinion of
non-Mormons and OF many OF the Mormons
that II officials. such as apostles. should
ever enter politics there was no chance for
laymen and they would not dare TO aspire
10 high political hOnOrs. The necessity of
apostles getting consent is equivalent TO
church Endorsement when that eonsent is
given, said the witness.
You say they would not dare TO aspire
TO ofhce2" asked Senator Beveridge. What
would happen IL they did?'
They would undoubtedly be dealt
with