The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1904-03-12
MORE SENSATIONS
IN THE SM0OT CASE
Variety of Sensational Testimony
Brought Out.
WITNESS LACKED DISCRETION
Most Sensational Testimony Was
That Given By Francis VI. Lyman,
President of the Twelve Apos-
ties of the Church.

Washington, March 9.-The senate
committee on privileges and elections
Tuesday, in the investigation Of the
protests against Senator Reed Smoot,
of Utah, brought out a variety OF tes-
timony, Of which the most sensational
was that given by Francis NJ. Lyman,
president of the ~ apostles of the Nor
mon church, and the man chosen to
be the successor of President Smith.
His admissions were similar to those
previously made by Mr.. Smith pertain
ing to the church government. He is
more free of speech than the president
of the church, and his testimony,
though not materially differing, caused
several of the apostles present TO shake
their heads at the witness for the pur-
pose Of compelling more discretion in
answering questions Mr.. Lyman Is
angularly built, his face is covered
with a growth of bushy red whiskers
and his speech is blunt Four witnesses
were on the stand Tuesday They
we're Mrs Kennedy, her mother, Mrs.
Matthews, Charles Merrill the son OF
Apostle Merrill and Mr.. Lyman.
Did Senator Smoot know you were
living with plural wives?" was asked,
Mr.. Lyman answered that Senator
Smoot did not know, as he never had
met any of his wives, He said that
the people in general in Utah knew,
but that he did not think Mr.. Smoot
had any knowledge of the fact. He
said he was SO generally known, and
his reputation was SO wide, that what
was admitted as a fact in regard to
him would be accepted by the people
as true.
Chairman Burrows insisted on know
ing If the people Of Utah knew in re-
gard to his life, why Senator Smoot
could not know just as well. The wit
nesses responded several times that the
people must have known, but that SEN
ator SmOot did not, whereupon Senator
Hoar demanded to know what the wit
ness meant by such answers The wit
ness then said that Senator Smoot
probably knew just as much about the
question as the people ir general
90 you take back what you said
then that the people knew and Senator
Smoot did not know" asked Senator
Hoar
Il take that back"
Don't you think, Mr.. Apostle, that It
behooves you to be a little careful
about what you say, so that you VIII
not have anything to take back?' asked
the senator severely.
Senator Hoar followed this question
by asking the witness II he had re-
ceived a revelation concerning what
ne was to testify TO on the witness
stand and whether such a revelation
could be responsible for his change OF
mind in regard to the questions asked,
Mr. Lyman then told the story of an
effort ON the part Of Prophet Joseph
Smith to get rid of one Of his high
counsellors who had been chosen by
revelation, and the refusal of the people
to submit 10 the change.
"Then," persisted Senator Hoar,
when the Lord has chosen certain per-
sons as apostles and the people don't
care to accept the selection, what hap
pens?'
"The man always steps aside when
he people reject"
"They have a sort of veto power over
the Lord them" remarked Senator
lloar
Both the prosecution and defense an
rounced they had concluded with
Apostle Lyman and he was discharged
The committee adjourned until We'd