The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-13
Three Witnesses Were
 Examined. MINISTER TOOK STAND
Told of Pro-P0lygamy Speech
 of President Smith.
Reynolds, . High Norman omcia' Testified That He Changed PhraseolOgy of Divtneiy
 Inspired Church Edict.

Washington. Dec. 12.-Three wit nesses were heard today in the case of Senator Reed Smoot, before the Sem ate Committee on Privileges and Elec- tions, the committee resuming its in- vestigation after long recess.
 The first witness was the Rev. Will liam Buckley. editor of The Christian Advocate of New York, who told of Mormon meeting he attended in Salt Lake City last summer. in which Presi- dent Joseph Smith declared he would not give up his plural wives.
 George Reynolds, high official of the church testified in regard to the ceremonies that have taken place in the endowment house and concerning ecclesiastical divorces granted by the church, and John H. Hamilton told of the plural marriage of his sister, Lil- Han Hamlin, to Apostle Abram Cannon, which ceremony he said he understood to have been performed by President Smith since the manifesto of 1890. Most of the testimony related to the inside church policy but did not connect Sena- tor Shoot with any of the alleged violations of State or national statutes.
 The committee adjourned until to- morrow.
 The first witness was Rev. D. J. Buckley. of New Jersey. Dr. Buckley told of visits to Utah in 1901 and again last June. At that time he at- tended joint conference of the Young Mems and Young Women's 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 concerning the convention arsi quoted from the speech of Presi- dent Smith on the subject of marriage.
 Then" said pr. Buckley. "Presi- dent 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 by God and were saints of God. He de- plored the mother in law jokes and said that his own mothers-in Jaw were the best friends he ever had. that they were true y-or7en worthy of their daughters.
 Couldn't Give up Wives.
 pr. Buckley read from another article on this meeting which said that President Smiths voice rang out 'as strong as William J. Bryan's as he defended the Mormon marriage and de- clared that polygamy was not adultery but was d system of marriage. Presi-
 
 as 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 char acter.
 George Reynolds. a Mormon living in Salt Lake. testified that he is the first assistant su erin ntendent of the Mormon
 
 sionary Committee of the Apostles and formerly clerk or recorder of the en- dowment house. This relation was severed in about 1871. The endow- ment house was torn down in 1890 but the temple is now used for the same purpose.
 In answer to question by Senator overman. Mir. Reynolds said marriages 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 does not divorce legal mar riages until the courts have acted, said Mir. Reynolds.
 Plural marriages are not recognized by courts and therefore the church does not consult the court in granting divorces in cases of such marriages"
 Senator Foraker asked if such di- vorees are granted from dead persons
 Tn few instances only. I should say" said the witness.
 For something done after death or before,' the Senator asked.
 Tn life time."
 "Is the dead person given an oppor- tunity to be heard?" the Senator asked.
 No, sir; it is because such cases are held to be unjust to the dead accused that so few divorces of this kind are granted"
 '1s any one appointed to defend the accused?"
 Never; but the complainant is given hearing If satisfactory evidence is furnished to the case"
 Then 1t is purely ex parte?'
 Purely so.'
 Senator Overman was attempting to bring out what assurance a man may have of meeting his several wives in heaven if divorces are granted after his death, when the noon recess of the committee was taken.
 MT Reynolds resumed the stand at D. m., and testified that the President of the church always has had the au- thority to issue ecclesiastical diyorces Mir Taylor read from a republished address by Brigham Young on the ques- ton of the unhappineSs Of first wives after plural marriages had been con- tracted by their husbands. Tn this ad- dress. President Young said he was so- ing to give all women until October 1. (date of address was not offered in evil dence) to decide whether they wanted to accept the teachings of the church. In the event they did not want to &C., cept the doctrine. President Young said he was going to give them their free dom to go where they would. He said he was talking to all women, his own wives included. first wives and plural wives.
 MT. Taylor asked MT. Reynolds if that promise to the women related to President Youngs authority to grant dlvorces. The witness said he thought President Young did not mean that.
 Then what did he mean?'
 "I think he was talking as a man who was annoyed and did not mean what he said" replied Mir. Reynolds
 Mir Taylor showed the witness a con- tract of separation between George T and Ellen Watson, which MT. Reynolds acknowledged he executed in 1897. He said that he does not know whether the marriage he dissolved was a plural one or not.