Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-25
THE SMOOT CASE.
Judge Powers Gives Testimony at SEES.
sion of Saturday.

sion Of Saturday.
Washington. April 24.-When the in
vestigation of the Smoot case opened
yesterday. Judge o. w. Powers was
again called to the stand. He read q
petition prepared by supporters of
Moses Thatcher for senator addressed
TO the Senate Of the United States, al
leSmg that church influence had been
used III the election and asking for an
investigation. Another instance Of
church interference had been shown
said he. in mayOralty contest at Pro-
No. when Reed Smoot favored the can
didacy of George Sutherland. The wit
ness said Smoot was held in disfavor
with the church and was charged with
going TO the liberal party.
Senator Overman asked if women
We're elected to the Legislature in Utah.
The witness answered in the affirma-
tive and said n woman was chairman
of the judiciary committee of the
House in the Legislature which elected
-hr. Smoot as senator.
Did she vote for Smoot?" asked
Senator Overman.
Il understand she did"
Senator Dubois-Judge Powers. what
do you regard the chief exhibition of
church domination over political az.
fairs that has come to your notice.
1T occurred at the April. 1896, con-
ference. when the political rule that is
the manifesto against Mormons enter
ing politics without consent of church
authorities was adopted. This rule was
adopted without dissenting vote, and
at the same conference Moses Thatch-
er's name was dropped from the rolls
as an apostle, and no explanation of
any character was made"
Senator McComas-How do the
young me nj the Mormon church re-
| gard the practice of polygamy?
Il think the young Mormon men and
women, too, are opposed to the practice
strongly opposed, although | confess
that ] cannot understand the power the
church is able to exert over them.
believe, however, that if the church
| authorities should attempt to re-estab-
lish polygamy-by revelation Or other
wise, there would be no trouble
In regard to continuation, Judge
Powers said that some look upon this
| condition with tolerance and others
with open hostility.
Several senators engaged in the dis
| cussiOn of the future OF polygamy, and
Judge Powers said he believed the
practice could not last any more than
could slavery. Continuing, he said:
But 1 do not regard polygamy as
| the worst feature of the Mormon re-
! ligion. What | object to most is its
| UNI American domination by the hier-
- l,n x,rt
belief in the right of the church au-
thorities to prescribe rules, the belief
that the head of the church is inspired
| and interference of the church in politi-
| cal and commercial affairs
Senator Hopkins-the same charge
about commerce can be made against
other churches. in limited way, can
! it not?
| Not as I make the statement here"
said Powers. Il do not know OF any
other church that conducts bathing
| beaches, street railways. electric light
and power plants. banks. mines and
mills, and that attempts to control in
! local politics for the purpose of obtain
ing concessions and franchises.
| Senator HOpkins-'There is the Meth
/ odist church in Chicago of which am
Il member 1t engages in business. and
| have always supported that idea.
Attorney Worthington-And the Trim
ity church in New York also owns and
rents property"
But as l understand it. Judge Pow
ers means that the Mormon church is
Il trust and owns and controls great
commercial institutions" said Senator
MrCamos.
That is it, it is a trust said Judge
Powers.
Senator Bailey asked Senator Hop
kirs and Mr.. WorthingtOn if the Meth
odist church in Chicago and Trinity
church in New York engaged in mcr-
camille affairs. and both admitted that
the business consisted merely of owning
property and receiving rents. Senator
Dubois suggested that if comparisons
of the Mormon and Methodist churches
were to be made. it would be well to
summon the bishop Of the Methodist
church to testify.
IF you were as We'll acquainted with
Methodsm as I am it would not be nee
essary to summon a bishop" retorted
Senator Hopkins However I may not
be so well acquainted with Mormon
ism
Judge Powers continued in the line of
making it clear that the Mormon
church controlled business in Utah to
a large degree. and that it was protect
ed by secrecy. which was hard to get at.
Senator Overman remarked that there
was no secrecy in Methodism and
therefore the comparisons were un-
necessary.
ANCIENT AGREEMENT,