New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-05
M4NY PLURAL WIVES.
SmOot Hearing lScnSatiOnal-PrOb-
ing Morm0nism Deep.

lng MOrWOnISW Deep.
washington March president Joseph ?. Smith
o. tho Mormon Church was called 20 The stand at
The opening Of to-dav's proceedings Senator Hoar.
who called NJ. Smith desired Information on the
rights o. women IN the Church, and whether they
hold any priestlv authority.
Mr. Smith said the women were regarded az the
equals OF the men in all matters OF voting but
nat In holding ''p-iestly authority women are
not regarded the plane. lie explained
mat the women Rave a charitable associ alton.
known as the Woman's Relief Society. in which
they have authority 20 perform certain prescribed
duties This authority is confined 10 TIE relieving
q distress. but women are not ordained high
priests. apostles or elders.
Mr. Tayler asked about NJ +. CoN-ley one OF
the apostles. and Cowley's talks on dcctrire ard
IN answer 20 a question from Senator Dubois Mr.
Smith said Nj Cowey elected an apostle In
1897. Reading from The DCseret News OF June q
1910 regarding a speech by Mr.. Smith al the Weber
State reunion. Mr.. Tayler asked Mr. Smith - he
was correctly reported In saving that the doctrine
81 plural marriages was a revelation bv God 10
Joseph Smith. jr-. and 20 reject that would be
equivalent 10 rejection OF God Himself
Mr. smith said he believed ne was correctly re-
ported. and when list OF names OF those present
including Senator Smoot. was read. Mr.. Smith said
the list was correct. He declared that he woul
not have had che article published n n, had been
consulted. Pressed for reason. he said he was
under injunction not 20 teach the rightfulness OF
polygamy and that he had refrained from 50 doing
IN public.
TO SET RIGHT A MATTER OF HISTORY"
Senator Hosr called attention 20 the fact that
the speech teaching polygamy in private 20
the important and influential gathering al the re-
union.
Mr. Smith said his statement was merely TO set
right OF history IN regard 10 the president
who started the system OF plural marriages. Some
persons had held that Brigham Young was the
first" he said and knew u Joseph Smith.
and I brought forward my aunt Bethsheba "
Smith. who had received the endowment from
Joseph Smith a. Nauvoe. She the last living
witness. and took the occasion 20 refute a false
statement II was matter Of history. and not a
teaching"
Mr. Smith said he had avoided teaching polveary
hut that the manifesto had not in any manner
changed HIS convictions on the question Of plural
marriages.
Senator Hoar asked why Mr. Smith had avoided
following what had been held 20 be a divine com
mand, and the witness answered that Il was be
cause OF the more recent manifesto stopping the
practice
Senator Hoar persisted that according 70 the
witnesses own statements. the practice had not
been stopped. and Senator Foraker fntorposa9 All
ruptly that the witness had gone over that matter
hfty times. and he could see no purpose Of the
continued Interrogation along that line Senator
Hoar resented the Interruption. and Senator For
akcr's suggestion that he Mr.. Hoar had asked
one question fifty times and had received nfty
answers. He objected 20 the inference and whom
Senator Foraker arose 10 answer Mr. Hoar also
stood Up. The two Senators faced each other IN
what threatened 20 be a serious clash
Senator Foraker said the Senator from Maesa-
chusetts- could Say what he pleased Of course
but have not Said he asked fifty questions"
CLASH BETWEEN SENATORS AvERTED.
4 accept the disclaimer from the Senator from
Ohio.' responded Senator HOar: but the aggressive
manner IN which this said failed 10 relieve
the situatio1. After more heated words Senator
Beveridge who occupied position directly between
TIC two. requested permission 10 ask a question.
lie said he wanted 10 address nv. S-noot." and
Immediately substituted the name Smith In the
laugh that provoked. Senators Foraker and
Hoar sat down. and the hearing was continued
senator Beverage desired 20 know whether the
Church considered that the laws were being obeyed
when polygsmous cohabitation had continued since
the manifesto Of 1890. and Chairman Burrows made
the question more personal lie said 20 Mr. Smith.
you have said to-day that you were obeving
ne laws IN not teaching polygamy since the mani
iato. DO YOU think you obeying the Law
IN having eleven children from different mothers
since that timer"
II obey the law far teaching is concerned
] have not said that have obeyed the law IN my
practice A. have said before I preferred 20 take
my chances with the law rather than 70 abandon my
plural family. Polygamy has not been taught IN
the Church by any OF the orRcials The church
has obcyed the laws even 81 I have not" declared
Mr. Smith.
Reference had been made many times TO the
revelation commanding plural marriages and seua-
tor Foraker said that although the ground might
have been covered before. he would Ike 10 have a.
The record al answer 20 this question: When.
where and how was the injunction n favor o.
polyeamy received BY the Church? What want 20
know - whether the practice is arbitrary or merely
pernss!ye."
ar suilh explained that the revelation was made
10 Joseph Smith s.. a. Nauvoo. In lSi@ but was
no, publicly proclaimed account Of the disturb
anoe against Smith which had made him a martyr.
The doctr.ne 10 saiG had been taught b. Joseph