The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-03-10
SMITH RECALLED.
Further Facts Drawn Out During the
Examination.

4 VI 1AeA EdCJS OIaWn Gut OuIlng the
Examination.
Washington. March 9-The seventh
day of the hearings in the Senator
SmOOt case was opened before the
senate committee on privileges and
elections by Attorney Tayler for the
prosecution recalling President Joseph
T. Smith OF the Mormon church to
the stand Nh Smith was questioned
as 10 the interview he gave to a rep
resentative of the Associated Press in
1902, giving statistics in regard TO the
church and the number of pOlygamists
in Utah. Ar. Smith had said the en-
tire interview consisted of statistics
and that in that statement he had
said nothing for the purpose OF sup
porting the candidacy OF Reed SmOot
for the United States senatorship. Up
on hearing the interview read Mr..
Smith admitted he had been quoted
correctly in regard TO Mr.. SmOot and
had urged his election.
Mr. Smith said he was acquainted
with Benjamin Cluf, jr. president of
the board OF faculty Of the Brigham
Young academy. and that he is reputed
TO be a polygamist. He also was asked
about Abraham Cannon and if the
general charge had not been that he
took a plural wife. Lillian Hamlin.
since the manifesto of 1890. AR Smith
said that had been newspaper charge
and he had paid no attention to it.
Sensitive 1Iormons.
"The officers of the Mormon church
are sensitive in regard to the charge
that plural marriages have been per
formed since 1880 are they not2" Mr.
Tayler asked
Alr. Smith said he thought they We're
sensitive on the subject He was asked
then whether he had taken any steps
to run down the stories that the laws
had been violated by officers OF the
church. He answered that the pub
lie charge did not concern him and
that If he took the time to answer all
abe charges made against himself and
other officials of the church he would
not have time 10 do other work
Reference was made especially TO
the charges against George Tcasdale
an apostle. and Mr. Smith was asked
il he did not feel called upon in that
case 10 make some inquiry in justice
20 the reputation of the church.
1T was not my business 10 do so, ~
he said.
do YOU mean TO say that notwith-
standing the sensitivenes YOU profess,
you do not take steps TO have cor
rected what you term false charges?
1T is not my business to do so.
the witness replied with emphasis.
THE question is. do you?" said
Chairman Burrows.
Duty of the Bishops.
Mr.. Smith then explained that it is
the duty OF the bishops courts TO pass
upon the morals of those who live in
their wards or districts.
Does that include officials of the
church - was asked
1T includes all members
When asked if the rule applies to
officials who are above the bishops in
authority. Ar. Smith said it did not
Then in the interest of The church
YOU would feel inclined 10 investigate
such cases. would you nOt2'
Not such vicious charges as have
been made against us
wen. now. suppose 10 was charged
that Francis NJ. Lyman president OF
the apostles, had performed a plural
marriage ceremony since 1880. would
YOU not investigate that 2"
1T is not a supposable case, and il
il was / could not answer. he said
Chairman Burrows insisted upon
knowing from the witness whether he
would have investigated such charges
against any OF the apostles, and the
witness answered again 1T is not my
business to DO it, Then he said: All
OF the charges made are Of cases which
are said 20 have occurred before j