The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-09
LYMAN'S SPEECH BLUNT
HIGH PRIEST OF MoRMoNIsM
 BEFORE COMMITTEE.
His Straightforward Answers to the Questions Propounded Cause
 Apostles Present to Caution Him By Signs.

 Committee on Privileges ard Elections in the hearing of the protest agaiiist | Senator Shoot of Utah, brought out a variety of testimony of which the most sensational was that given by Francs M. Lyman, president of the twelve ap's- ties of the Mormon church. and the man | chosen to be the successor of Presidelt Smith. His admissions were similar to those previously made by MT. Smith pcrtail- ing to the church government. Ho ls more free of speech than the president of the church. and his testimony. though not materially differing. caused several Of the apostles present to shake their heads at the witness for the purpose of compelling more discretion in answering questions. Mir. Lyman is angularly buiit. his face IS covered with a growth of bushy red waiskers, and his speech Is blunt. Four witnesses were on the stand today. They were Mrs. Kennedy, k"l < mother. Mrs. Matthews. Charles Merrill. the son of the Apostle Merrill and Mir Lyman.
 Lwman Again on Stand. Lyman again took the stand at 2 D. m. He said he became an Apostle in 1880 and that Reed Smoot became an Apostle I in 1900 MT. Smoot had never reproved him for living in polygamy either in public or in the Apostolic meetings.
 T am thought worthy. I will suc- ceed to the presidency of the Mormon Church if I survive President Smith," said MT. Lyman in answer to a question. MT. Lyman said that he Is the presid- ing officer of the Twelve Apostles. The name of John Henry Smith, a polygamist. was given us the second member of the | Twelve Apostles, and that of George Tesdale polygamist. as the third Apos- tho H. B. Grant. a polygamist. fourth; John W. Taylor. polygamist, fifth; MT. | Merrill. a polygamist. sixth: making five Apostles who are conceded to be polyga- mists
 Senator Shoot has attended the meet | ing of the Apostles said MT. Lyman, and has taken part in the exercises at the weekly meetings"
 The witness said he had introduced | many of his wives to MT. Shoot.
 Through Endowment House" Chairman Burrows asked concerning the nature of the marriage service known as going through the endowment house." and an objection was entered by MT. Warrington on the ground that they l could not assume that Mir. Smoot had any knowledge of the ceremony. Chair man Burrows said it had been asserted that Senator Shoot had gone through the endowment house. and had taken some oaths that might conflict with his oath as Senator.
 Mir Lyman said he could not state the service if it was to save his life. MT. | Lyman said the members of the first presidency and the Apostles had never discussed the advisability of prosecuting persons engaged in polygamous cohabi- ] tation.
 1 Mir. Ly'oan has charge of the work of sending out missionaries and he identi- | fled the books that are used in making l converts. He said the Apostles do not look upon the doctrines and covenants as one of the books for general circulation. Mir. Lyman said missionaries always are thoroughly warned not to discuss polygamy because we have yielded to the requirements of the law not to teach the theory of polygamy' He said the | missionaries never touch upon tho sub ject unless the theory is sasailed
 Do they defend or denounce it?" waj asked.
 They would not denounce it," said Mir. Lyman. He said that was the situa- tion also in regard to himself
 In answer to qut tion by Senator Overman. Mir. Lyman said that despite the manifesto of 1890, the president could issue authority upon an elder to per- form plural marriages. "The president holds the keys" said Mir. Lyman. | What do you mean?"
 That he is the only one who has any authority"
 Not Above the Lord.
 MT. Worthington asked how 1t was that the president could issue authority in conflict with the manifesto which is said to be the law of God and concluded his question thus: 'Is he above the Lord?"
 "Oh. no: he is not a. ve the Lord"
 Chairman Burrows inquired if any one was opposed for position as apostle be- cause of polygamous cohahitation. Only in the event his plural mar riage occurred since the manifesto" said Mir. Lyman.
 How about Apostle Cowley?" asked Senator Dubois. He was a polygamist and was selected an apostle since 1S90.'' "Yon say" said Mir. Burrows, that missionaries are instructed not to go into tho mysteries of the church. Is polygamy one of the mysteries?'
 Yes. l guess 1t would be considered one of the mysteries now
 Senator Pettus inquired concerning the authority given to Mir. Smoot to become candidate for Senator and Mir Lyman said consent under a rule of the church must haVO been given by President Smith
 Mir. Lyman said the principle of getting consent was that a shepherd could not leave his flock of sheep until his success sOr took charge and 1t was required that officials must get authority before leav- Ing their official duties in the church.
 Difference in Relations. Mir. Lyman was asked what. di7tinc- tion he made between the revelations he obeyed and those he did not obey ''T suppose you mean the laws have confessed that have violated in coha bitating with plural wives?" he asked
 When told that was what was meant he said
 "I trust myself to the mercy of the Lord"
 Have you ever repented to that dis obedIence?" asked MT. Hoar.
 Not yet"
 Did Senator Shoot know you were live Ing with plural wlves?' was asked
 MT. Lyman answered that Senator Shoot did not know. as he never met any of his wives He said that the people in general in Utah knew. but that he dld not think MT. Smoot had any knowledge of the fact. He said he was so general ly known and his reputation was so wide that what was admitted as a fact in re- gard to him would be regarded as true.
 Chairman Burrows insisted on knowing If the people of Utah knew in regard to his life why Senator Smoot could not know just as we'll The witness respond ed several times that the people must have known but that Senator Shoot did not: whereupon Senator Hoar demanded to know what the witness meant by such answers. The witness then said that