The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-03-08
SENATORS STILL INVESTIGATING
sMooT MATTER.
WOMAN TELLS FEW SECRETS
Witness Who Was Married by an
Apostle After Issuance Of
Manifesto.

Washington, Mar. 7.-After hearing
Joseph F. Smith, president OF the
Mormon church, on the stand for near
" five hours today, before the senate
committee on privileges and elections,
which is Investigating the right of
Reed Smoot to sit as a senator, both
the prosecution and defense announc-
ed that they were through with him
another witness was called. This was
Mrs. Clara Mabel Kennedy, who told
some secrets of the Mormon church
which, if not broken down, will prove
as important as the statements of
President Smith that he and other
officials have been persistently cohab-
iting with plural wives in violation
of the law.
Mrs. Kennedy told that she was
married by Brigham Young, an apos-
tie of the church, to James Francis
johnson, a p~olygamist, since the mani
festo of 1890, and that she has had
two children by her husband. The
marriage was performed in Mexico,
according to the witness, at the home
of a high official of the church.
Mr.. Worthington conducted an ex-
animation of Mr.. Smith to ascertain
the process undergone in cases of ex-
communication. The witness explained
the manner in which the. church is
divided into wards and stakes, and
the machinery of the organization
through which charges of any person
have to be brought and passed upon.
He said the apostles have nothing
to do with any judicial affairs. They
preach the gospel and send mission
aries to other fields. The president,
the apostles and high councillors,
forming what is known as 1.-THE if
teen," meet once a week for prayer
and consultation on matters general
ly relating to the church.
Hf 3WCnIOCTS 6JSC " VVSSs |
The futile effort by President Brig
ham Young in 1876 to have Bishop
Jacob w. Weyler removed from the
leadership of a ward was related by
Mr.. Smith, to show that the presidency
does not exercise power over the
wishes of the people, and that the
members of the church by the free
dom of their vote in reality form the
powers of government. Several other
like instances were related for the
same general purpose.
Mr.. W~orthington read the revelation
by Joseph Smith, Jr., January 10, 1841,
naming Brigham Young as president,
and all the members of the high coun-
Gil and apostles. In this revelation
was a command to accept the nOmina-
tons or to reject them in general con-
ference. Mr.. Smith declared that even
in the original revelation naming the
successor to the first president, it was
in the power of the members to accept
or reject.
Mr.. Smith, in reply to an inquiry,
said Reed Smoot became an apostle
April 9, 1900.
Fright here let me ask you when
your last child was born?" asked Mr..
Worthington.
"I don't know whether that has any
bearing on the case," said Mr.. Smith
'but l believe it was on the day Mr.
Smoot became an apostle"
"Then there has been none SINGER
seid Mr.. Worthington.
mo, sir"
"Then so far as you and Mr.. Smoot
were concerned, you were in har
mony?" remarked Mr.. Burrows.
Gave His Consent.
Senator Foraker asked Mr.. Smith il
he had had any objection to Mr.. Smoot
becoming a candidate for senator, and
Mr.. Smith said: ." gave my consent
to his becoming a candidate"
why did you think your consent
ZE
necessary" asked Chairman Burrows
Because it is a rule that any one
OF the general authorities of the
church desiring to engage in any bus
mess outside of his church duties
must get the consent of the first pres
idency and the twelve apostles be
fore he can do So" said Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Taylor returned to the testi
mony In regard to the number OF chill
dren Mr.. Smith had since the mani
festo Of 1899, and he repeated that
there had been II to the best OF his
recollection.
"Are you sure Of that nnmber?'
asked Mi. Taylor.
~ cennnf aav that I am absolutely