Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-04

that he had been present at the recer-
ton to the President at Senator
kearns residence in Salt Lake City
and that he had had one of his plural
wives with him. but that she was not
the one whom he took to ST. Louis.
| My attitude towards my wives was
OF general knowledge" he said.
| Senator Shoots counsel objected.
however, to the assumption that Sena-
tor Smoot knew all the circumstances
connected with Smiths wives.
! We prefer to put Senator Smoot on
the stand and let him tell what he
Knows. remarked Mr.. Van Colt
Senator Overman-"Did Senator
Snoot ever advise you to persist in
your polygamous cohabitation?"
| Mr.. Smith, think not. I have
never. SO far as remember discussed
MY private affairs with him.
Did the apostles ever advise you to
desist from the practicc?'
Not that know off,
Has Mr.. Smoot visited at your res
idences?'
| He has been to my first wife's
house. where I make what may be
called my official residence
Asked about Chas. Teasdale one of
the II apostles. Mr. Smith said he knew
nothing OF his present domestic rela-
tons. He thought, however, that until
| two or three years ago Mr.. Teasdaie
had had two wives. Mr.. Smith also
was asked about Apostle John w. Tay-
Tor and said he had not the slightest
doubt that he is pOlygamist.
Asked where Mr.. Taylor now is, Mr..
Smith said he did not know; that some
eellS since Taylor had been sent to
investigate a tract of land offered the
! MOrmOnS and he had not heard from
MIN since.
Gould an apostle be polygamist
without your knowledge?" asked Sen
ator Dubois.
mo, sir, not unless he violated the
rules Of the church, and I don't think
any of them would do that
Then why say I think and I sup
lrose?'
Because" replied the witness, 81
never saw any of them married to any
woman"
Mr.. Smith said that Apostles Merrill
and Heber J. Grant are reputed to be
polygamists.
Mr.. Smith vas asked about other
apostles, especially concerning F. II
Lyman. president Of the apostles, and
il, the line of succession to himself.
Mr.. Smith said that Mr.. Lyman be-
ing present should answer for himself
but the committee insisted and he re-
Piled that Mr.. Lyman was reputed to
have two wives.
He was asked by Mr. Taylor about
| Marion Scolcs Teasdale, deceased, who
it was stated had never met Mr.. Teas
dale until 1898.
Mr.. Smith replied that he had not
known the lady. but that he had under
stood that Mr.. Teasdale had not known
when he married her that he had an
other wife.
when your deacons are sent out
and make converts in other lands dc
they not present the rightfulness of po-
| lygamy as Il religious virtue?'
This question was presented by Sem
ator Hoar and was answered in the
negative. "They never discuss IOlyg
amy" Mr.. Smith said, "unlesS COM
| PEELED to do so to meet attacks. In
deed, the elders are instructed not to
advocate plural marriages at all; it
is Il thing of the past"
The committee then took a recess.
Mr.. Smiths examination not having
| been concluded.
Mr.. Smith resumed the stand when
the committee reconvened.
In reply to questions from Chairman
Burrows, Mr.. Smith said he did not
| know whether or not the missionaries
take with the copies of the manifesto
of 1890 suspendmg pOlygamy as an or
der of the church.
Mr. Taylor asked how many wives
! Mir. Smith had in 1890.
Five" said Mr.. Smith.
He was questioned in regard to q
wife named Levira, who was divorced
from him and died many years before
1890.
Mr. Smith protested that the uues-
tons We're very cmbarras sing and try
ing to him. Said he: This matter is
going before the public and l do not
want it to appear that l am a spot
| ter or an 'informer.
Mr.. Worthington objected also, but
no attention was paid to the protests.
though Mr.. Taylor ceased the questions
objected to.
Mr.. Taylor asked concerning Brigham
Fl. Roberts position as first vice presi-
dent of the Seventy and asked if
Roberts was not elected to that high
position after he was elected to Con-
guess.
Mr.. Smith said he could not remem-
bcr
In answer to n question by Senator
Dubois the witness said Mr.. Roberts
was elected by the seventy and he
had no knowledge that any objection
had been made to his retention in that
high position.
Senator Dubois went over the ground
and brought out the fact that objection
had not been made to Mr. Roberts con-
tinuing i'll Office after it had been
proved he was a polygamst.
He was asked concerning the man.
agement of the Deseret News and said
there was no more independent paper
in Titan and that it was not governed
by the church.
''Who is the EDITOR" he was asked.
Charles W. Penrose." answered Mr..
Smith.
In answer to Other c,,ac.;o,, ~.