The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-13
DIVORCE GRANTED FROM DEAD PEOPLE Shoot Hearing is Resumed in
 Washington WOMEN FLOCK TO HEARING pr. J. M. Buckley Tells of Hearing President Smith Defend Polyg-
 amy While He Was
 In Utah.
WOMEN FLOCK TO HEARING

| Washington, December 12.-Hearings of the protests against Reed Shoot, junior senator from Utah. retaining his seat in the United States senate were resumed today in the committee on privileges and elections. The room was crowded wo- men predominating among the specta- tors, as was the case last session. Sem ator Shoot arrived early. | The first witness called was Rev. J. M. Buckley, D. D., of Morristown, N. J., editor of the Christian Advocate of New York. MT. Buckley told of visits to Utah 1 in 1901 and again last June At that time ] he attended a joint conference of the young mems and young womens unions of Mormonism Those who spoke were Brigham H. Roberts, Elmira S. Taylor and President Smith. Dr. Buckley read from an article he had written concern ing the convention and quoted from the speech of President Smoth on the subject of marriage
 Then" said Dr. Buckley, President Smith drew himself up to his full height and spoke on the subject of divorce. He said the mothers of his own children had been given him by God and were saints of God He deplored the mother-in-law jokes and said his mothers-in-law were l the best friends he ever had; that they | were true women worthy of their daugh- ters."
 Dr. Buckley read from another article on this meeting. which said President Smiths voice rang out as strong as William J. Bryans" as he defended the Mormon marriage and declared that l polygamy was not adultery but was a system of marriage. President Smith was quoted by the witness saying that he could not give up any of his wives; that 1t meant eternal damnation to abandon a multiplicity of wives. | Everywhere, the witness said. Senator Shoot was given an excellent character. George Reynolds, a Mormon living in Sale Lake, testified that he is the first assistant superintendent of the Mormon ] church Sunday schools and secretary of the missionary committee of the apos- ties and formerly clerk or recorder of the endowment house. This relation was severed in about 1871. The endowment house was torn down in 1S90 but the temple is now used for the same pur- pose.
 In answer to questions by Senate. Overton, Mir. Reynolds said maria ges were performed with dead persons in the endowment house
 MT. Taylor then asked if divorces were granted in the endowment house.
 The church grants divorces to those who have been married for time and eternity. but do not divorce legal mar rlages until the courts have acted" said | Mr. Reynolds. Plural marriages are not l recognized by courts and therefore the church does not consult the court in granting divorces in cases of such mar rages."
 Senator Foraker asked if such divorces are granted from dead persons.
 "In a few instances only l should say,' | said the witness.
 | For something done after death or beforeY' the senator asked.
 Tn life time"
 "Is the dead person given an oppor- tunity to be heard? the senator aslSeo.
 .No sir; 1t is because such cases are held 10 be unjust to the dead accused, that SO few divorces of this kind are granted" said the witness.
 "Is any one appointed to defend the | aceuesed?'
 Never; but the complainant Is given hearing if satisfactory evidence Is fur 1 nished to the case
 Then it is purely ex-parte?" Purely so."
 1 Senator Overman was attempting to bring out what assurance q man may have in meeting his special wives in heaven if divorces are granted after his death when the recess Of the committee was taken.
 Authority to Issue Divorces. l MT Reynolds resumed the stand at ? l D. m. and testified that the president of | the church always has had the authority | to issue ecclesiastical divorces Mir. Taylor read from a published address by Brigham | Young on the question of the unhappiness l of the first wives after plural marriages had been contracted by their husba nds. | In this address President Young said he was going to give all women until Oc- l ->>>~~~~~~>>>>>~>>~>>>~> ~>>>->~~>>>>>~>>>>~>>~~-,
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