Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-16
HEARING THE CHARGES.
Continued from First Page.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
and declared that not only by this procla-
nation. but by acts of Congress the people
of Utah had been absolved from the charge
of polygamy by complying with the ena-
bling act admitting the state to the Un.on.
Mr.. Van Colts Statement.
Mr. Van Colt made a statement in Sena-
tor Shoots behalf He referred first to
the act of the Utah legislature multiplying
the anti-pOlygamy act. and he confirmed
what Mr.. Tayler had stated, that the bill
had been vetoed by a Mormon governor. He
said Senator Smoot had nothing to do with
the passage of that bill and should not be
charged with 1t.
He invited the fullest inquiry into Senator
Shoots life. 1--WE throw down the bars
he said. land invite you to investigate his
entire career"
If" he went on. "you find that he has
ever been guilty of any offense against the
laws his counsel will throw up the case
and walk out. We also throw down the
He denied that Senator Smoot had ever
taken an oath inconsistent with good citi-
zenship.
Senator McComas asked whether it was
true that the apostles take a secret oath,
and Mr. Van Colt replied that not being a
Mormon, though resident of Utah, he
could not reply Of his own knowledge. 1t
was his understanding, however. that the
Mormon apostles took no oath.
Senator Dubois asked how it was with
the elders. and Mr. Van Colt replied that
there might be some obligation taken in
connection with the endowment ceremony.
mat was not. however. one of the charges.
Mr.. Van Colts Argument.
Mr.. Van Colt then entered into an argu-
ment to show the improperly of investi-
eating the relations of other people in con-
nection with the charges made against
Say,n tor
Mr.. Tayler that the authority of the COM
mittee in the matter of the investigation
was practically unlimited. but in view of
the fact that previous inquiries by Congress
had developed the facts with reference to
the earlier history of the Mormons he
thought the investigation should be con-
nned to the period since the admission of
Utah into the Union. He thought 1t i'm
proper to make inquiry as to what prac-
gagged in
As for Senator Smoot, he denied emphati-
caily tnat ne had ever encouraged polyga-
nous cohabitation any other crime He
commended that if the committee should de-
cide 20 make Its investigation general with
reference to the members of the Mormon
church, 1t should cOnfine itself to polygamy
ana not to polygamous cohabitation, for
the reason that it had been impossibe as
ne believed, to entirely stamp out such CO.
naDitaton on the part of persons who had
entered INTO poiygamOuS marriages before
PRESIDENT Woodruff's manifesto of 1890
Senator Burrows, chairman of the COM
mittee asked Mr.. Van Colt specifically con-
corning the charge that the first presidency.
and the twelve apostles of the Mormon
Cnurch were today living in the practice
OF polygamy. In asking the question he
referred to those officials as ''the governing
power of the chur CHI
Senator Smoot himself took exception to
this characterization of the body and at
his instance Mr.. Worthngton interrupted
MI. van Colt to hat hay do
stitute the covering power of the church.
senator Burrows waived that point, and
Mr. Van Colt said that he had no personal
knowledge of the facts but that he nm
derstood and believed it to be fact that
Joseph Smith, the president of the church.
was polygamist AS for Messrs Young
and Winder, his information was that they
were both monogamists.
obeying the Law.
With reference to the apostles Mr. Van
Colt said that 1t was his information that
six or seven of the twelve are polygarnists.
but he added that no one of them is living
in polygamous cohabitation. He said they
had lived In obedience to the law since the
issuance of the Woodruff manifesto.
Replying to questions from Senator Nc
Comas as to the charge that pcl,-ga nous
Capitalization was practiced by nbers of
the Mormon Church within t. 1aowledge
Of the apostles Mr.. Van Cot: ID that it
was not true He declared that Senator
Smoot did not know of such practice and
that if he did he would give the informa-
ton to the committee.
Mr.. Van Colt said that where the asso-
ciates of Mr.. SmOot had practiced polyg-
amy or violated laws their acts would sub
ject them to punishment but that would
In no manner unfit Mr.. Sfnoot from qualify
ing as senator ..
Mr.. Burrows asked Mr.. Van Colt if his
answer would be the same If 1t was shown
that Mr.. Smoot had knowledge of the vio-
iatious of the laws by his associates
IF he had knowledge of such Violate
and encouraged them, then / would say Mr.
Smoot was disqualified for service as SEN
ator," said Mr.. Van Colt, for then he
would have been guilty of connivance at the
disregarding of laws. But Mr.. Smoot has
urged over and over again that every law
should be strictly observed
Mr. Tayler Replies
Mr.. Tayler replied to Mr.. Shoots at
torneys on the point as to whether it was
competent for the Senate to go into the
acts of the senator prior to his election He
laid down the general proposition that acts
of a continuous character should be in
vestigated even though committed before
election.
Nor he said, sis the church in general
to be investigated except as it's acts affect
the propriety of Mr. Shoots being here
He added, however, that it was impossible
to know what Mr.. Smoot stands for unless
1t is known what the church teaches with
reference to the charges against the .;ena-
tor. For instance. Brigham Young had Le-
clared that the church should exercise con-
troll of temporal affairs. I'VE want to know
what has become of that doctrine cam
on" he said. ''All we want he added, rs
justice" He declared that proof of MIR.
Shoots acts and his knowledge of other
acts in contravention and defiance OF the
law would be supplied
six of the apostles who signed the plea
to the President for amnesty, with vows
of patriotism and repentance. are today"
he said, living in polygamy." and he
added. in response to a question by rnem
Der of the committee. that this was uE-
doubtediy within the knowledge of M.
Smoot.
The public hearing continued about two
hours and at Its conclusion the committee
went into executive session.
The committee decided to receive from |
the attorneys for Mr.. Smoot written re-
ply to Mr.. Tayier's argument. This reply |
is expected to be made Monday. and Sena-