The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-04
SMOOT HEARING
STILL CONTINUED,
(continued from Page Ten.D

(Continued from Page Ten.)
Senator Hoar called attention TO the
fact that the speaker was teaching po-'
lygamy In private TO the important and
influential men at the reunion. Mr.
set right matter OF history In regard
to the president who inaugurated the sys-
tenn OF plural marriages.
"Some persons had held that Brigham
Young was the first" he said. "and
knew IT was Joseph Smith and / brought
forward my aunt. Bethsheba w. Smith
who had received the endowment from
Joseph Smith at Nauvoc She was the last
living witness and l took occasion to re-
fute false statement. II was a matter
OF history and not a teaching"
AVOIDED TEACHING PoLYGAMY.
Mr.. Smith said he had avoided teaching
polygamy. but that the manifesto had
not In any manner changed his convic-
lions on the question OF plural marriages
Senator Hoar asked why he had avoided
practicing what had been held TO be
cWine command the witness answered
th1; IL was because OF the more recent
manifesto stopping the practice.
Senator Hoar said that according 10
the witness statements the practice had
served that the witness had gone over the
matter so times and he could see no pur-
pose or continuing questioning along that
line. Senator Hoar resented the inter-
rupuon and for a time it seemed that
there would be a clash, but on Mr.. For
aker disclaiming any intention to insinu-
ate that Senator Hoar had asked tho
question % times peace was restored.
WHAT THE CHURCH CONSIDERED.
RpVari1Ua u-bo
church considered that the laws were be-
Ing obeyed when polygamous cohabitation
had continued since the manifesto OF 1890
and Chairman Burrows made the ques-
tion:
"You have said today that you were
obeying the laws in not teaching polyg-
amy since the manifesto. Do you think
you were obeying the law in having II
children from different mothers since that
timer"
II obey the law so far as teaching Is
concerned. | have not said that I have
obeyed the law I'm my practice. AS
have said before l preferred To take my
chances with the law rather than 10
abandon my plural family. Polygamy
has not been taught i'm the church by
any OF the officials. The church has
obeyed the laws even II l have not" said
Mr.. Smith.
CLASH BEL w ZEN SENaIOKS.
During the hearing there was differ
ence OF opinion between Senators Hoar
and Foraker. which for a time threatened
20 result In a serious clash.
Senator Hoar asked Mr.. Smith why be
had avoided teaching what had been held
TO be a divine command, namely poly
gamy. and these witness answered that 1t
was because OF the more recent manifesto
stopping the practice.
Senator Hoar persisted that according
TO the witness own statement the practice
had not been stopped and Senator Fora
ker interposed abruptly that the witness
had gone over that matter fifty times and
he cauld see no purpose OF the continued
questioning along that line. Senator Hoar
resented the interruption and Senator
Foraker's statement suggested that he
had asked one question fifty times and
had received fifty answers.
He objected TO the inference and when
Senator Foraker arose 10 answer Il he
too stood up. The two senator's faced
each other in what threatened TO be n
serious clash. Senator Foraker said the
senator from Massachusetts, could say
what he pleased, OF course but have not
said he asked 30 questions"
81 accept the disclaimer from the
senator from Ohio" responded Senator
Hoar. but the aggressive manner in
which It was said failed 10 relieve the
situation After more heated words
Senator Beveridge. who occupied posi-
tion directly between the two requested
permission 10 ask a question
He said he wanted to address ''Arr.
Smoot." and Immediately substituted the
name smith" In the laugh that was
provoked both senators sat down and the
hearing continued.