The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
SMOOT HEARINGS
NOW POSTPONED
Committee AdjOurns Sub
iect to Chairman's Call.
WAITING UPON WITNESSES
Mr. Critchlow and Judge Hiles the Prin-
cipal Witnesses Examined at
Yesterdays Session.
WAITING UPON WITNESSES

The Smoot investigation. after two
weeks Of daily hearings. was temper
arily concluded yesterday afternoon.
when an adjournment was taken sub
ject to the call Of Chairman Burrows.
This was agreed upon in order to enable
new witnesses, and witnesses who could
not, up 10 this time. be served with the
summOnses issued in the original batch,
TO arrive here from Utah The COM
mittee viii be reassembled when At
torney Tayler and Chairman Burrows
agree upon time. probably two weeks
from tomorrow, when it is expected the
new witnesses will be ready to appear
and testify.
E. B. Critchlow. of Salt Lake City.
who was on the stand nearly all of yes
terday. concluded his testimony at s:s0
O'Clock in the afternoon Judge Ogden
Hiles. Of Salt Lake, was the last wit
ness called. and after he had testified
the adjournment was taken.
Judge Hiles' Views.
Judges Hnes said he had prosecuted
more cases from 1886 to 1889 under the
Edmunds and the Edmunds-Tucker acts
than any other one man. Those con-
vieted Of polygamy or plural cohabita-
the option OF promising 70. obey the Law
In the future or OF going to prison.
In every case they chose the prison.
saying they preferred to obey the law
OF God than that made by man. 1t was
regarded as an act of apostasy for
them TO obey the Law. Then when the
EdrSunds-Tucker law was passed, and
added the Offense OF adultery, and pro-
vided heavy penalties for the violation
OF that section, the prosecuting officers
took avantage Of it TO press the cases
under the adultery class Many OF the
poorer people then, being unable TO
meet the heavy fines. began to change
their position, and took the promise
70 obey the law.
Testimony of Critchlow.
Mr.. Critchlow's testimony related to
the various stages eflegislation to sup
press polygamy. his personal participa-
ton in Utah politics at the time Of
Shoots candidacy and election. and his
views on Mormon Church Nominations
and on various phases Of the present
Investigation.
Attorney Van Colt opened the cross
examination for Senator SmOOt with the
following questions:
Mr.. Van Colt - Do you expect any
compensation for your. services in this
case?
Mr.. Critchlow-Not the slightest
Q.-Do you hold any position in the
church presided over by the Rev. DR..
Paden lone OF the petitionetsl?
Al do not.
Q.-YOu are not an elder?
Al am not.
Opposition Described
Witness described what was. generally
understood by bitter opposition. as
used in the questions asked by Mr.. Van
Colt yesterday He said anyone who
attacked polyganny In Utah was termed
BY the Dessert News a bitter op-
ponent Of pOlygamy-
Attorney Van Colt tried TO get the
witness to admit that the Leibach
charges. accusing Smoot Of being a
polygamist, etc, but not substantiated
By their author, had caused a great
wave OF Indignation TO sweep over the
country. Witness did not think so. in
timating that little importance was at
taehed TO the accusation OF pOlygamy
against Smoot. because it was not be-
heved by people well acquainted with
the true state Of affairs.
Hard to Arouse Interest.
Witness expressed the belief that it had
people OF the United States TO a reaii-
zation Of the dangers and ramificatons
Of polygamy.
There was no great wave OF indigna-
bon," asserted the witness. until the
Investigation had been begun here, and
President Smith had admitted on the
stand all the charges OF violation Of
law"
He then made inquiry into Incidents in
connection with the Legislature elected
IL the fall of 1855. and which began its
sessions in January. 1886. Witness was &
member Of that body.
Judge Sutherland. who had been tn
attorney OF the Mormon Church, and
who had never worked against its in
terests, was the author Of part Of the
sections Of the revised statutes OF Utah
referring TO polygamy and other mat.
ters-
Severe on Cannon.
Counsel asked many questions referring
10 persons prominent in politics at ths
time Utah was admitted 10 Statehood
One OF the men asked about was Angus
b. Cannon, ST.
HE was a Republican. was he nOt2
asked Mr.. Van Colt
Il think at that time he was Demo
crat." replied the witness. and specta-
tors smiled.
Witness was asked why he voted at
one time for polygamist for office, and
year later voted against Cannon. His
answer was made very positively IL
these words:
''Anyone who knows the two mea
would understand why a distinction
might be drawn against Angus n. Can
non for any public position
Enactment Of Laws.
The subject Of prosecutions between
1852 and 1887 for unlawful Capitalization
and polygamy was inquired into by
counsel, and the extent TO which dis
tlnctions were drawn in the public mind
between the several Offenses. Witness
told OF the provisions OF the law and the
punishments imposed.
The constitutional convention Of lS5,
was then gone into. on this same line
OF inquiry. The changes MADE in the
law, to omit mention of prosecution foi
unlawful cohabitauon. were referred L
Russell Collection
~ ChIppendale Sheraton TFeDDelwhite