The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-05
SMITH STILL
 ON THE STAND Mormon Leader Before
 Committee. DUTIES TO THE CHURCH Always EndeavorS To obey Laws of the Land. At the Same Time, He Says, Nothing Could Induce Him to Desert
 His children--As to
 Revelations.


 Washington, March 4.-Tnterest in the Investigation before the Senate Commit tee on Privileges and Elections of the protests against Senator Reed Shoot of tItah was unabated today. although most of the time was devoted to introduction of documents subscribed to as the law of the Mormon Church. In that connection President Joseph Smith, who again was on the stand. testified that if the princi- pie of plural marriage should be attack ed. 1t would be defended by the church.
 Intense feeling was exhibited by Presi- dent Smith against individuals who, he said, had spied on the domestic and mari tai relations of the high officials of the Mormon church and for that reason he had favored the passage of the Evans bill to prevent prosecutions for polyga- nous eohabitation unless complaints, were entered by husband or wife against the other. This bill was passed but ye- toed by the Governor of Utah.
 It was brought out that all of Mir. Smiths predecessors as Presidents of the Mormon church had heen polygamists and that the man chosen to succeed him has more than one wife
 Would Not Desert Children.
 Mir. Smith was asked which he would obey, the law of the land or revelations from God, if the two were in conflict. He said he might obey the revelation, though it was not compulsory. He added: T should not like to be put in position where would have to desert my children --I could not do. that"
 President Joseph F. Smith. of the Norman Church, was called to the stand by Senator Hoar at the opening of to- days proceedings before the Senate Com mittee on Privileges and Elections in the tnvestigations of protests against Sena- tor Reed Smooth, of Utah Senator Hoar desired information on the subject of the rights of women in the church and whether they hold any priestly authority.
 Mr. Smith said the women arc ragarded aH the equals of men n ait fnattagH of voting, but tkAk ln hDl .pfIeskiy ats thority'' women are not regarded on tue same plane. He explained that the wo- men have charitable association known as '"rhe Woman's Relief Society," in which they have authority to perform certain prescribed duties. This authority Is limited to the relieving of distress, but women. are not ordained high priests, apostles or elders.
 Mir. Taylor asked about M. F. Cowley. one of the apostles. and Cowley's talks on doctrine, and In answer to questions by Senator Dubois. Mir. Smith said MT. Cowley was elected as an apostle in 1897.
 Was Correctly Reported.
 Reading from The Desert News of June 9. 1903. regarding a speech by Mir. Smith at the Weber State reunion, MT. Taylor asked MT. Smith if he was cor rectly reported in saying that the doctrine of plural marriages was a revelation by God to Joseph Smith, Jr., and to reject that would be equivalent to a rejection of God himself. MT. Smith said he be- lieved he was correctly reported, and when a list of names of those present. including Senator Smoot, was read. Mir. Smith said the list was correct.
 He declared he would not have had the article published If he had been con suited. Pressed for a reason he said he was under injunction not to teach the rightfulness of polygamy and that he had refrained from doing so in public.
 Senator Hoar called attention to the fact that the speech was teaching poly gamy in private to the important and influential gathering at the reunion.
 "To Set a Matter Right"
 MT. Smith said his statement was merely to set right a mater of history in regard to the President who inaugGf- ated the system of plural marriages. Some persons held that Brigham Young was the first,'' he said, land l knew 1t was Joseph Smith. and brought forward my aunt, Bethsheba W. Smith, who had received the endowment from Joseph Smith at Nauvoo She was ehe last living witness, and took that OC- caslon to refute a false statement. It was a matter of history and not teach ing"
 Mir. Smiths aid he had avoided teach ing polygamy. but that the manifesto had not in any manner changed h.s convictions on the question of plural marriages.
 Hoar and Foraker Clash.
 Senator Hoar asked him why ne avoIj- ed practicing what he had held to be Divine command. and the witness al- swered 1t was because of more rece..t manifesto stopping the practice. Senator Hoar protested that according to the witness own statement, the practice had not been stopped. end Senator Forakcr interposed abruptly that the witness had gone over that matter fifty times. and he could see no purpose for the continued questioning along that line. Senator Hoar resented the interruption, and sad Senator Foraker's statement suggessed that he had asked one question fifty times and had received fifty answers. JJe objected to tine interference, dh'l when Senator ForaKer arose to answsT. he. tco. stood up. The two SenatorS faced each other in what threatened 10 te a serious clash, Senator Forakci said the Senator from Massachusetts could say what he pleased. of cou-5e, but I nave not said he asked fifty que s- tions."
 Beveridge Relieves Tension.
 "I accept the disclaimer from the ScA ator of Ohio" responded Senator lIoar. bnt the aggressive manner Tn which it was said failed to relieve the situation. After more threatened words. Senator l3everidgc. w5o oc ,upe ed | position li- rac,Iv between the two requested per roIseion to ask a question. He said he wart4d to address MT. Shoot and imn.e- d,atoly substituted the name Smith" Tn the laugh which was provoked both Senators sat down and the hearing col
 Senator Beveridge desired to know whether the church considered that the Iavrg were being oheyed when polyKs 1l- ouS eohahitation had continued since the manifesto of 1Sso, and Chairman Bur.