The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-03-03
MURMONlSM PROBED
Head of Church Before Sem
ate Committee.
SHALL SMOOT RrTAIy HIS SEAT?
Never Before Has There Been an In
Quiry Into Religious Creeds to
Determine IL Unlawful Infiu-
ence Is EXerted by Them.

determine II L nlnWfui lnuu-
ence Is EXerted by Them.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-An effort
to air the innermOst secrets of the Nor
mon faith was manifested in the first
days proceedings before the senate
committee on privileges and elections,
which is investigating the protests
against Reed Smoot retaining his seat
as senator from Utah.
The investigation is to decide wheth-
err Reed Smoot of Utah is to retain his
seat in the senate and incidentally to
define the political status of the Nor
mon church. Never before has there
been inaugurated an inquiry into creeds
or political factors to determine wheth-
er an unlawful influence is eXerted in
political affairs of the nation.
At the opening session 1t was conced
ed that hearings, would extend over
several weeks and that legal talent
would fight every inch of the way In
terest increased with the announce
ment that Joseph f. Smith, president
Of the Mormon church, would he the
first witness called and in all proba-
bllity would occupy the attention of the
committee for two or three days.
When President Smith, the highest
official Of the church. took the stand he
was questioned closely in regard to the
principles of divine revelations. He
said he adhered absolutely to all the
teachings of the church in that regard
and that he himself had been visited
with divine inspirations from God di-
recting him as to details in matters
pertaining to the welfare of the church,
though no angels had come to him. as
in the case of the revelation to his UNI
Gle, Joseph Smith, Jr.. the founder of
the church. He subscribed TO the
standard of authority for the church in
relation to the revelation commanding
polygamy as made known to the first
president in n visit from IAN angel In
black He also said that he still be-
lieyed in polygamy. The testimony
was directed in a slight degree only at
Senator Smoot, and no attempt was
made by the defense to curtail the adj
mission of testimony until President |
Smith was questioned in relation to
polygsmous cohabitation Of certain Off |
Gals Of the church before the mani |
festo OF 1890. The attorneys then OBJ
jected. and much time was devoted TO |
the relevancy of such testimony.
Mr. Tayler asked Mr. Smith a mum |
Der Of questions relating to Abraham
IL. Cannon and others of the Mormon |
faith in order to bring out the witness
knowledge Of the question whether or
not they were polygamists and wheth-
er they had married since the mani
festo Of 1890,
Mr.. Tayler said he was pursuing the
line of inquiry set ont in the protest
against Mr.. Smeot to the effect that the
president of the Mormon church and
of the twelve apostles were
poygamy He referred to
Mr. Smith as the daily associate and
superior in the church of Mr.. Smoot
and said that Mr. Smith is the hus-
band of five wives and believes still in
the principles of polygamy.
DO you expect TO prove in that CON
nection that the president and the
twelve apostles form II propaganda OF
asked Mr. Beveridge.
"Wg do" said Mr.. Tayler.
The committee went into executive
session and after full discussion de-
termined TO allow the utmost latitude
to the hearings which means that
court practices will be avoided. The
protestants said they regarded this as a
victory for them. The committee will
near practically all the prosecution has
10 OFFER and determine for itself what
is competent testimony. The commit
lee will hold daily sessions