The evening bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1887-1905, 1904-03-04
President Smith Confessed That
He Practiced POlygamy Since
the Manifesto of 1890.
KNEW He WAS VIOLATING THE LAW
Reed SmOOt Received the Consent of
the Apostles to Become Candi-
date For Senator.
The Witness Declared He Had Per
formed No Polygamous Marriages
Since 1890 Anywhere on Earth
The Mormon Bible.

Washington, March 4.-Attorneys
for the protestants in the Smoot
investigation said they intended to
prove that the defendant Is ascot
ated with hierarchy which practices
polygamy and connives at violations
Of the law and that his very vote as a
senator of the United States is subject
to the wish and command of the Nor
mon church, President Joseph F.
Smith confessed that he himself had
continued to cohabit with his plural
family since the manifesto of 1890 and
that he realized fully that he was vio-
lating state laws. President Smith
also testified that Reed Smoot had to
get the consent Of his associated apos-
ties in the church before he could be-
come a candidate for senator
The confession of President Smith
was the sensation of the proceedings.
Thursday before the senate committee
on privileges and elections. Mr.. Smith
said that the manifesto of 1890 had
left him and others with plural fami-
lies in the unfortunate situation of
being compelled to defy the law or
desert their families. For himself he
had preferred to take chances with
the law" rather than to disgrace him
self and degrade his family by aban-
doning his wives and the children they
had borne him. He admitted that he
had children by all of his five wives
since the manifesto and said he had
acknowledged them openly without in
reference or disturbance from the
people Of Utah, whom he character
lied as liberal and broad-minded
Mr.. Smith, in answer to questions
by Chairman Burrows, declared he had
performed no polygamous marriages
since 1890 anywhere on earth. Mr..
Dubois asked if any of the apostles
had performed such service and Mr..
Smith said if they had they would
have been fined and imprisoned if
found guilty and if the charge could
be proved the offender would be ex-
communicated.
Senator HOar made another request
for the four books which have been
described by Mr.. Smith as the stand
ards of authority, saying that they
would be needed in considering the
case. But" interposed Senator Dill
bingham, Il suppose we can furnish
our own Bibles"
Mr. Smith volunteered to supply all
the volumes himself even the Bibles.
if the committee desired to have cop
les of that book.
Mr. Tayler devoted considerable At
tention to a discussion of the Mormon
marriage ceremonies. 1t was brought
out that all high officials of the church
and all of the elders are authorized to
marry persons, and that such mar
riages are registered in accordance
with the state laws on that question.
The Celestial marriage, or tle mar
riage for eternity, Mr.. Smith said, was
one of the things the Mormon church
believed in, but the practice had been
in disuse for 20 years or more. This
marriage was described as one to car.
ry two persons through Heaven in
happiness and that often was perform
ed when one party was dead and some
times when both parties were dead.
In that event the relatives of the con.
tracing parties represented them.
When questioned closely Mr.. Smith
admitted that a man and woman, both
living, were sometimes married for
eternity"
Mr.. Tayler concluded with Mr.. Smith
and the defense will examine the wit.
ness Friday