Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-03

continuing to violate it in utter disregard
of the consequences he asked.
II think have" was the answer.
you have caused your plural wives to
bear you new children in violation of the
law you knew to exist?"
THAT Is correct said Mr.. Smith,
why have you done sop persisted Mr..
Tayier.
For the same reason have told you
preferred to face the law. 1 could not dis
grace myself. 1 could not degrade my
family
DO you consider IT an abandonment of
your family not to maintain marriage rela-
tions?" Mr.. Tayler asked.
AT that point Mr.. Foraker and Mr.. Bever-
idge objected and in discussing the ques-
tons both expressed the opinion that the
witness had stated fully that he had vio-
lated the laws. and that he had been frank
in regard to his reasons and finally that
the committee was advised on that subject.
Mr.. Foraker said that after such state
ment as had been made by Mr.. Smith ii
unnecessary to ask the witness con-
corning his opinions on the subject of good
morals.
not allowed at this time, but If at future
time it was found that Mr. Smiths state
ment was not full and complete the COM
mittee might question him.
Mr.. Dubois then asked Mr.. Smith If 1t
was not understood by those in authority
that it was the duty of the polygamist to
continue to provide for and support his
plural family after the manifesto of 1880
Mr.. Smith answered that it was general
ly so understood"
Resuming the inquiry concerning Mr..
Smiths personal polygamous relations, Mr.
Tayler asked: How many children have
you had since the manifesto of 1897
Mr.. Worthington objected on the part OF
the defense and both Senators Beveridge
and Foraker again said that they thought
as the witness had said his wives hau
-, Ln mi aCtn
no difference how many such children had
been born to him.
II contend that it does make a differ
ence'' said Mr.. Tayler. 1T makes differ
ence how we'll the fact was advertised that
he was violating the law. 1t makes
difference whether it was two or twenty
two in the effect his example might have
upon others in the church,
Now Has Five Wives.
Mr. Burrows asked Mr.. Smith if he had
married any wives between the first ana
the last that he had mentioned during his
statement to the committee.
Il have" said Mr.. Smith.
'How many?"
Three"
Mr.. Burrows.
THAT is correct" was the response.
Mr. Burrows ruled that the question op-
jeeted to was in order and directed the
sHow many children have you mad Since
the manifesto of 1902" was read
eleven since 1890" said Mr.. Smith. cen
tnuing, he said:
Each of my five wives mas poih0 ih0
Children. .
Since that timer asked Mr.. Burrows.
"Since that time." the witness repeated
in answer ...,,o+ ono NJ
them has had three children. l could tell
you a little later"
He said in reply to Mr.. Tayler that he
had attended the dedication exercises at
the 81 Iouis exhibition and had been ac-
companied by plural wife, Edna smith oy
Senator Smoot had been with them on
that occasion, when they had been photo-
grapted in group.
Each Family Has Home.
In reply to a question by Senator Smoot
he said: Each of my families has home
of it's own. in Salt Lake City, and compare
lively near to each other. Since the mani
festo my custom has been to live with my
first wife at her home. but L have visited
my other families"
He also said, replying to Mr.. Tayler, that
he had been present at the reception to the
President at Senator Kearns residence in
Salt Lake City, and that he had had one
of his plural wives with him, but that she
was not the one whom he took to ST. Louis
My attitude toward my wives was of
general knowledge" he said. Senator
Shoots counsel objected, however, to the
assumption that Senator Smoot knew all
the circumstances connected with Smiths
wives. I'VE prefer to put Senator Smoot
on the stand and let him tell what he
knows" remarked Mr.. Van Colt.
Being asked whether he had taken the
test oath in 1895 before voting, Mr.. Smith
hesitated. and his counsel asked that he be
confronted with the oath. The question
was temporarily withdrawn.
Senator Overman-"Did Senator Smoot
ever advise you to persist in your polyg-
amous cohabitation?'
Mr. Smith, think not. / have never,
so far as l remember, discussed my private
affairs with, him"
The Mormon Apostles.
Are the apostles your advisers?'
II receive advice from all good men, but
no more from them than other elders of the
church,
Did they ever advise you to desist from
the practice?''
Not that know off,
HAS Mr.. Smoot visited you at your resi-
dences?"
HE has been to my first wife's house,
where | make what may be called my OFF,
cial residence.
Asked about Charles Teasdale one of the
twelve apostles. Mr. Smith said he knew
nothing of his present domestic relations.
He thought, however, that until two or
three years ago Mr.. Teasdale had had two
wives. Mr. Smith also was asked about
Apostle John W. Taylor, and he said he is
reputed to be polygamist. Il couldn't
say of my own knowledge"
Have you the slightest doubt of it?'
II haven't much doubt of it,
Asked where Mr.. Taylor now is, Mr..
Smith said he did not know; that some
weeks since Taylor had been sent to inves-
tigate a tract of land offered to the Nor
mons and he had not heard from him since.
He had been in Mr.. Taylors home in Salt
Lake City only once
Gould an apostle be a polygamist with
out your knowledge?" asked Senator Du-
bois.
No sir not unless he violated the rules
of the church, and 1 don't think any of
them would do that
Then why say, I think and I sup
pose? 4"
Because" replied the witness, 81 never
saw any of them married to any woman"
Mr. Smith said that Apostles Merrill and