The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-03
The Privileoe of Marriaoes.

accepted that ruling of the supreme court.
 The Privilege of Marriages.
 MT Smith answered that the law on the situation was finally passed on In 1889 and since that time he had no Knowledge of any plural marriages talk Ing place. Before that time and since the Reynolds decision he said he proba- bly, knew of some such marriages
 In answer to a question, Mir Smith said that prior to 1862 when the plural marriages in the church were declared by the church to be constitutional poIyga- my had been practiced 'in limited way" MT. Beveridge inquired concerning the reasons for the line of questions concern Ing polygamy as he said he understood MT. Smith was not charged with being a polygamist. Mir. Tayler explained that he wanted to show that the demands of the church are such that it might af- feet MT Shoots allegiance to the United States
 MT. Worthington said the line of oues- tioning was following matters on which there was no dispute and which are ad- mitted by his client. At the same time. he said the questions relating to mans private belief and convictions are inn proper and that if he was attorney for MT. Smith he would advise him to de- cline to answer.
 Committee Takes No Notice.
 The committee took no notice. of MT. Worthiugton's objection. MT. Tayler ask ed In regard to the manifestto of Presi- dent Woodruff In 1S90 commanding a sus- pension of the requirement. that polygamy be practiced in the church and also the prayer for amnesty in 1891. The questions were numerous and were to ascertain whether the members of the church con- sdered these declarations affected the continuance of co-habitation of those pre- viously married. MT. Smith said it was regarded that they did affect such per sons MT. Tayler asked:
 DO you so regard it?''
 "The command did not change my views on the question of plural marriages" he answered,
 Being pressed further on the same sub jeet for his personal belief, MT. Smith said:
 q believe plural marriages to be right"
 Mr. Taylor then asked If 1t was true that the revelation declaring plural mar rages remained in the books of authority as part of the teachings of the church. MT. Smith said that it was true He also said that the subsequent manifesto de-
 
 fully understood. Mir Burrows directed a number of questions to Mir. Smith bear ing upon consistency of MT Smiths an swers in regard to his belief and accept ance of the divine revelations He said: Still Thinks It Right.
 q understand you to say you believe in the relations of Joseph Smith. Jr, in regard to polygamy and still think it is right?''
 Yes"
 And the manifesto of President Woodruff declaring suspension of the polgamy principle was a revelation was it not?"
 Yes"
 How can that be-" pressed MT. Bur rows. "One declares in favor of polygamy and the other stops it'
 .'I adhere to both my beliefs" said MT Smith. "I believed polygamy was right or should have never married more than one wife"
 .As I understand it. Mir. Hoar inter- rupted, 'the last revelation does not pro- hibit polygamy but merely suspends the former principle commenting it. It may still be believed that the practice is in- nocent and proper but as the divine com mand to continue 1t stopped. the members of the church submit to the civil law on the question of plural marriages?'
 That Is right" subscribed MT. Smith.
 MT. Taylor asked a number of questions relative to Abraham Q. Cannon and others of the Mormon family to bring out the