Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-05
SMITH says LAN
WAS CHANGED
President of the Mormons
Sought to Make Greed Con-
form to Civil Statutes
A REVELATION BY WOODRUFF
When Supreme Court Held Law
Against Plural Marriages constitu-
tionaI Mormon President Received
Revelation Stopping the Practice
Smith Becomes Angry.

washington, March b.-On cross ex-
animation for the defense in the inves-
tigation before the senate committee of
Mormon church stated that when the
Utah commission was created in 1882
and undertook to administer the laws
| Of the territory 10000 polygamists were
excluded from voting. But as the wo-
men vote In Utah the number of males
was not more than 1000.
Senator Dubois wanted to exclude
from consideration the number not in
condition to enter a state of polygamy.
He said Smiths statement included
sucking babes and children and object
ed to having Smiths statement go be-
fore the country unchallenged.
Referring to Senator Bailey's ques-
tions yesterday in regard to the mani
festo, Worthington read from SER
mon Of President Woodruff, delivered a
year after the manifesto against plural
marriages, in which President Woodruff
declared he was moved and 10000 Lat
ter Day Saints were moved by the spir-
lit of God, to abandon the practice of
plural marriages.
when laws were passed, which were
not in harmony with the teachings of
our church. said Smith, I'VE held that
they were unconstitutional OF course
our own rules held that we obey the
constitution of the land, but we fought
the validity OF the new laws from the
lowest to the highest court and when
lit was settled by the supreme court OF
the United States that plural marriages
Feould no longer be Indulged in, OF course
we we're inclined TO obey.
But we had revelation on our
own statute books in regard to plural
marriages and 1t was necessary TO
obey that in order to obtain certain
blessings that could not be received
without obeying 1t. Whether we should
obey the law OF the land or continue
to practice the law of the church was
serious question
I'VE hold that the president of the
church is entitled to receive revelations
inspired by the Almighty God. Presi-
dent Woodruff sought guidance from
the Lord and the Lord made It mani
fest to him that it was his duty to stop
plural marriages. He proclaimed that
revelation and 1t was accepted by the
entire church and thus became binding
and from that day to this the law OF
the land has been kept so far as
plural marriages is concerned. But
there is a great difference between
taking plural wife contrary to law
and In taking care of wives taken be-
fore ii was violation of law. l would
not desert my wives. / should not
abandon my children. Lwill run my
risks before the laws"
Smiths voice shook with emotion.
He showed more feeling than he had
at any previous time exhibited as he
leaned forward and said:
But 1t is to the laws of Utah that
am answerable, it is the laws of my
State that have right to punish men.
The courts Of Utah are of competent
Jurisdiction. Congress has no business
to interfere with my private affairs.
Chairman Burrows a this point ques-
toned the witness. He asked:
You would not abandon your wives
or children? Why do you consider I'll
necessary to have issue from your
plural wives in order to clothe and care
for your children that had been borne
before unlawful cohabitation became
a CRIME
Because my wives are like all other
women. 1t is necessary to maintain
peace between myself and my good
wives. That is the kernel in the nu;.
That is why have chosen not to
obey the laws of my state prohibiting
polygamous cohabitation.
The church gave me my wives and
do not think the church could be
consistent in taking them"
Replying to Chairman Burrows, Mr..
Smith said that he does not teach
polygamy and added:
L am practicing polygamous cohab-
itation which is not poygamy. Poly
gamy is plural marriage and l have
taken no plural wives since the man
lfesto"
Smith said that the pamphlet con-
tanning the manifesto did not state in
terms that it was a revelation from
God, but the statement was made that
it was published with authority of the
church, which was sufficient.
Adjourned until Monday.