Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-01-13
REED SHOOTS ANSWER.
Says Mormon Church Does Not
Sanction Polygamy.
DENIES ALL CHARGES.
Which Prevents Holding a Gov
eminent Position.

Washington, D. c., Jan. The re-
Spouse of Senator Reed Snoot Of Utah
to the charges made against him was pre-
sented to the state committee on privileges
and elections by Senator Burrows, chair
man Of that committee. The document
was in printed form and the members OF
the committee did not go through the
formality of reading it during the session
1t was agreed that at the regular meeting
OF the committee to be held next Saturday
the attorneys for Mr.. Smoot and for the
petitioners should be heard.
John G.. Carlisle of New York, former
~ secretary Of the treasury; X. n lay
lor. formerly representative in Congress
from Ohio, will appear for the prosecu'
ton. while Mr.. Smoot will be represent.
ed by Messrs. A. s. Worthingtonl +, o.
Washington, D. c.; Waldeman Van Colt
Of Utah and W. s. Bosah of Idaho.
The attorneys will be heard as to the
merits Of the case as already presented
They will be examined to show prece.
dents and authorities and after they shall
have made their presentation. the commit
tee will decide whether to go further III
the matter by calling witnesses or dispose
OF it on the showing which will then have
been made.
: Mr. Shoots Answer.
Mr.. Smoot submits in answer to
charges against him the following:
This respondent is advised and ayers that
but two of the charges made against MIN
IN said protest, either directly or by I'M
plcation, are such as, if true, could legally
affect his right to hold his seat In the Sen
ate. These two charges are:
l. That the respondent is polygamist.
q That he is bound by some oath or OBJ
required by the constitution, which was
administered to him before he took his seat
as a senator.
Denies Charges.
Both these charges respondent denies.
AS to the charge that he is a polygamist,
the respondent says that he was married on
the 18th day Of September 1881, to Aipha
May Eldridge. She is still his wife. and is
the mother Of all his children he has
never had any other wife, and has never
cohabited with any other woman.
As to the charge that the respondent is
bound by some oath or obligation contloil-
the respondent says that he has never taken
any such oath or In any way assumed any
such obligation. He holds himself bound
to obey and uphold the constitution and
laws of the United States, including the
condition In reference to polygamy upon
which the state of Utah was admitted into
the Union.
The respondent now moves to strike out
and eliminate, separately from said pro-
test each and every matter and thing there
In contained, except the two charges above
While the respondent is advised and AYERS
that the other matters referred to IN said
protests are such as cannot legally or prop
erly be considered as affecting the right of
the respondent TO retain his seat In the
Senate. nevertheless the respondent now
proceeds to answer. the same, submitting
the question of the relevancy Of the same,
not waving his said motion but insisting
thereon.
Not Latter Day Saint.
Tha NOT bo &c ~
said alleged self perpetuating body of fiji
teen men, Or that there is any such body
Of men: or that the followers or members
of the Chuch of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day
Saints. or any Of them, accord the right 20
said alleged body, to claim supreme author.
ity, either divinely sanctioned or other
wise, to shape the belief or control the
conduct of those under them in all or any
matters civil OF temporal, or that said
church or such alleged body claims or ex-
ercises any such alleged rights: or that said
either OF them. united either in one body
or In all Of them, the authority of churc 3
and state or Of the state; or that said church.
or said alleged body or any person or body
exercises any authority Or power either so or
at all as to inculcate or encourage q belief
IN the practice OF polygamy Or belief in or
practice Of polygsmons cohabitation, or
that either countenances or connives at any
violation OF the laws Of the state of Utah
or Of the United States, either regardless IF
pledges or pledge or otherwise at all. either
wise Oh at all. or Of any covenants or Gov
enant, or otherwise, either made with the
people Of the United States OF any other
person OF body or that said church OF per
son or body by all or any means whatsoever.
either protects or honors persons, or any
person, who is or may be guilty of said
destructive Of the family or the home or
Otherwise or that said alleged body OF any
Of them. violate any law OF the land, or is
guilty Of any Of said alleged practices: and
this respondent for himself in particular
denies that he is one Of said alleged self
perpetuating body of fifteen men or that
or any part thereof, or any person therein.
lnculcates or encourages belief In the
practice OF polygamy or belief In Or prac-
tlce or polygamous combinations; and THIS
respondent denies that he is guilty OF
poiygamous cohabitation, or that he is g
po!ygamist, or that he ever has been a
poiygam1st, Or that he has ever practiced
polyEamous coha bita ton