The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-24
CHURCHES IN COMMERCE
MORMONS ARE NOT ALONE
Methodists and Episcopalians En-
gage in Business in a Lin
tied Way.
SMOOT CASE TESTIMONY

WASHINGTON. April 23.-when the in
vestigation of the Smoot case opened to-
day Judge w. o. Powers was again called
to the stand. He read a petition prepared
by supporters of Moses Thatcher for sena-
tor, addressed to the Senate of the United
States, alleging that church influence had
been used in the election and asking for
an investigation. Another instance of
church interference had been shown, said
he, in a mayoralty contest at Provo, when
Reed Smoot favored the candidacy of
George Sutherland. The witness said
Smoot was held in dsfavor with the
church and charged with going to the
liberal party.
Senator Overman asked if women were
selected to the Legislature in Utah. The
witness answered in the affirmative and
said a woman was chairman of the judi
ciary committee of the House in the Legis-
lature which elected Mr.. SmoOt as sena-
tor.
Ibid she vote for Smooth" asked Senator
Overman.
II understand she did
Senator Dubois-Judge Powers what do
domination over political affairs that has
come to your notice?
1T occurred at the April, 1896, confer
ence when the political rule, that is the
manifesto against Mormons entering poll
tics without consent of church authorities,
was adopted This rule was adopted with
out dissenting vote and at the same con-
ference Moses Thatcher's name was
dropped from the rolls apostle and no
explanation of any character was made"
Senator McComas-How do the young
men in the Mormon Church regard the
practice of pOlygamy?
II think the young Mormon men and
women, too, are opposed to the practice
l cannot understand the power the church
is able TO exert over them. L believe, how
ever, that il the church authorities should
attempt to re-establish polygamy-by reve-
lation or otherwise, there would be
trouble.
In regard TO the continuation of polyga-
nous relations, Judge Powers said that
some look upon the condition with toler-
ance. others with open hostility.
Several senators engaged in the discus
sion OF the future of polygamy and Judge
Powers said he believed the practice could
not last any more than could slavery. Con-
tinuing. he said: But l do not regard
pOlygamy as the worst feature of the Nor
mon religion. What object TO most is its
un-American domination by the hierarchy of
the people of that belief. The belief in the
right of the church authorities 10 prescribe
rules. the belief that the head of the church
is inspired and interference of the church
in political and commercial AFFAIRS
Senator Hopkins-The same charge about
commerce can be made against other
churches in limited way, can it not?
Not as l make the statement here"
said Mr.. Powers. II do not know of any
other church that conducts bathing
beaches. street-railways, electric light and
power plants. banks, mines and mills and
that attempts 10 control the local politics
for the purpose of obtaining concessions
and franchises"
Senator Hopkins-There is the Methodist
Church in Chicago. of which 1 am a mem
Der. 1t engages in business, and l have
always supported that idea.
Attorney Northumberland the Trinity
Church in New York also owns and rents
property
But as 1 understand il Judge Powers
means that the Mormon Church is a trust
and owns and controls great commercial
institutions said Senator McComas.
THAT is il; il Is a trust said Judge
Powers
Senator Bailey asked Senator Hopkins
and Mr.. Worthington If the Methodist
Church. in Chicago and Trinity Church. in
New York, engaged in mercantile affairs.
and both admitted that the business con-
sisted merely of owning property and re-
ceving rents. Senator Dubois suggested
that il comparison OF power of the Mormon
and Methodist Churches were TO be made
IT would be well 10 summon the bishops of
the Methodist Church TO testify.
IF you were as well acquainted with
Methodsm as | am IL would not be neces-
sary 10 summon a bishop" retorted SEN
atOr Hopkins. However. L may not be so
we'll acquainted with Mormonism."
Judge Powers continued in the line OF
making IL clear that the Mormon Church
controlled business in Utah 10 a large
degree and that il was protected by Sc
crecy which hard 10 get at.
Senator OYerman remarked that there
no secrecy in Methodsm. and there
fore tie comparisons were unnecessary.