Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-11
SMOoT HEARING.
CONTINUED from page ~
Il think he was not"

Il think he was not"
do you know that any nom Nor
mons are living in Utah with more
than one wife only?"
He further said that he knew of the
prosecution of one Mormon-the father
of Lorin Harmer, who testified, yester-
day.
Mr.. Jensen said in answer to ques-
lions from Senator Hoar that he had
never known of a prosecution of a
polygamist who continued to cohabit
with plural wives he had married prior
to the manifesto Of 1890.
He said that if Mormons should turn
informers against polyagimts under
such conditions, against President
Smith for instance. such Mormon in
formers would be odious in the sight Of
most members of the church.
Mr.. Jensen said it is only the high
officers who are supposed to devote all
OF their time to the church. These are
under obligtions to get the consent Of
their brother officers when they desire
to engage in some other business or
enter politics.
The committee then went into execu-
tive session and at its close took u
recess.
After the recess and executive session,
Attorney Tayler for the prosecution. call
ed to the stand +. r. Critchlow, formerly
United States district attorney in Utah.
He was one of the protestants against
Senator Smoot. In 1885 he was appoint
ed assistant United States district at
torney and In 1880 again took similar
position at Salt Lake City. He has served
as school trustee and in the Legislature
for one term. He spoke of the paSSa ge
of the Edmunds act in 1Ss2. the first law
making polygamous cohabitation a crime
and providing for the disfranchIsement
of the Mormon church and for the diSpo-
sition Of the property of the church.
The first prosecution was of Rudgcr
Clawson now an apostle of the church
who was sentenced to serve four years in
prison for unlawful Capitalization. Anoth-
or was the conviction on the same charge
in 1885 Of August NJ. Cannon. president
of the Salt Lake Stake.
Then" said Mr.. Critchlow. "prosecu-
tions were inaugurated with vigor and
many men and women went into hiding.
Over 1000 men were convicted and SEN
fenced. If | remember rightly"
Mr.. Critchlow said an opportunity was
given by the courts to the persons con
victed to escape Jail service by promising
that in the future they would obey the
law. but the chance of escaping punish
mcnt was not accepted generally, only
three persons complying with the ruling
of the court.
Among these was Bishop Sharp n di-
rector of the Union Pacific Railroad. and
an old man. who accepted the terms and
was promptly removed. that being under
stood to be the policy of the church where
the doctrine of the church was not up
held by members.
The history of the church between 1885
and 1870 was given by Mr. CritchlOW in
Guiding tho circulation of a story that
plural marriages had been given up en-
tirely and that unlawful cohabitation was
on the wane.
In relation to the Moses Thatcher in
cident, Mr. Critchlow said a letter had
been sent out which had the purpose of
dividing the people as equally as possible
between Republicans and Democrats $"
as to maintain a reserve which could he
swung either way in the interests of the
church. The church aftcrward denied
this letter. said Mr.. Critchlow. but Moses
Thatcher continued working in the inter
ests of the Democratic party and in the
autumn of 1896 carried on an active cam
paign for election to the United States
Senate Ivy succeeding Legislatures. This
campaign was in conflict with the wishes
of the members of his quorum of apoS-
ties and he was finally dropped.
The popular sympathy was with Mr..
Thatcher because it was understood that
he stood for absolute liberty in political
affairs.
MIR. Thatcher continued in the field up
to the final result of the contest. which
ended In the election OF Joseph L. Raw
Inns as senator.
In answer to question as to what
happened to Mr.. Thatcher. as a result of
his disohedience. Mr.. Critchlow said a
declaration of principles wer" submitted
to Mr. Thatcher for his signature. but h"
refused to sign. In the succeeding year
he was summoned before a council and
tried and acknowledged that he had been
wrong and he retained his good fellow
ship but il not now an apostle and has
not been since the episode Mr.. Thatcher
was compelled to subscribe to a state
bal hn wholly in tho wrong.
and In fact, said the witness. his spirit
was broken completely by his conflict
with the church.
Mr.. Critchlow said the Democrats pro
tc.;ted against the interference by the
church i'm such manner
The committee adjourned until 1870 to-
morrow without concluding the testimony
of Mr. Critchlow.