The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-05
SMITH STILL ON STAND
(continued from Paee one.l


 ing polygamous cohabitation a crime, was passed by the Utah Territorial LegiA- lature, which was overwhelmingly com posed of Mormons and that the Constitu- tional Convention also was composed of & large majority of Mormons, so that the existing laws of the State legislating against polygamous cohabitation really were the result of the efforts of Nor mons themselves.
 Reference was made to the Evans bill, which passed the Utah Senate March &, 1901, and a few days later the House. This bill provided that no prosecutions for poiygamous cohabltation should be in- stituted, except on complaint of husband or wife. The bill was vetoed by Gov ernor H. M. Wells.
 Mfr. Smith had said he was in favor of the bill, and was asked why.
 well: 1t was rather personal matter with me. I was one of those unfortunate -or otherwise-men who had a numerous family and we were made the prey of a prying individual. who was continuously spying into marital relations thought if such a law was passed it would be . boon to myself as we'll as a relief to those in a similar position and put an end to this continual spotting of our private affairs. I spoke to few friends
 
 bers of the Legislature" p Law and Revelations.
 Senator Hoar asked a number of ques- tions to determine the relative weight oi revelations and the law of the land when the two came in contact, and asked par ticularly in regard to the old revelations
 Mr. Smith said that with older mem, bers it was the effort to uphold the laws but with the younger ones-well, they were little hard to control.
 Bringing the question up to the later periods, Senator. Hoar wanted to know what Mir. Smith would do If the revela. tlons confiicted with the law.
 (Which would you obey?" he asked
 with me perhaps the revelation would be uppermost." said MT. Smith.
 Gan you say perhaps to such a ques- tlon?" interrupted MT. Hoar, severely. Continuing, he asked; Suppose you re. ceived a revelation commanding your people to do something which would con dict with the law of the land. Which would they have to obey?'
 whichever they pleased" was the re- | ply. There Is no compulsion.'
 Then he read from one of the standards l of authority: Let no man break the law of the land. for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the law of land"
 Would Obey the Laws.
 Mir Smith. in answer to Senator Rev. eridge, said that under the discipline that had been maintained for the last twenty years. the people in the Mormon Church would obey the laws rather than any rev. citations which might be in conflict.
 (Which would you do?" asked Senator Burrows.
 "I would strive with all my might to obey the laws of the land" said MT. Smith, and he added. but should not like to be put in a position where 1 would be compelled to abandon my chii- dren I could not do that"
 Mir. Smith said that he never had r.- ceived any revelations directs from God. but that if any should come, 1t might be by audible voice, inspiration known only or heard only by himself, or as in the case of Joseph Smith, Jr, who had received the book of Mormon, in writ ing.
 Senator Bailey showed a great deal Uf interest in the subject of the manlfe5O and directed 2 number of questions to ascertain whether that was a revelation or a proclamation provoked by the knowledge that Congress intended to i.l- terfere in the continuance of polygani- ous marriages. Mir. Smith said the man- ifesto was a revelation to Preside t Woodruff
 Senator Dubois asked many qucsti )iis 10 determine the effect of the revelations which were contrary to State laws. open ing a new line of inquiry. which on ,.C- count Of the lateness of the hour it was not thought best to go into before to- rnorrow. The committee adjourned d; 4;4O until 1O:3O tomorrow.