The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-05

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former retorted Senator Overrnan. Yet
+ know that in my town, people have.
children. I think you might answer that
uues ton without using the words spot
ter and 'lnformer' In that Hanner' 's
II beg the senator's pardon" tho wit
ness responded.
A Senator Dubois asked several Questions
to determine the correctness OF the state.
ments that not moro than three or four
per cent. Of the Mormons were polyga--
mists, and said he believed no could show
that q greater per cent. than that had
been \ convicted Of the charge. He asked
Mr., Smith how many Of his predecessors
had been monogamists, and Mr.. Smith
said he believed that all OF them had
had plural wives.
A Very Frank Witness.
"And 1 believe you said that your sue.
cessor has moro than one wife? Z" said
Senator Dunbois. 5s .s 3s5 "a s58
The witness admitted that was the case.
Senator Nice omas asked whether as the
head of the Mormon Church, Mr.. Smith
had over rebuked tho apostles OF AZ ne
church for teaching polygamy since the
manifesto Of 1890, and MIR. Smith DE-.
clared: ~ 5s s4s8
g''No member Of tho church has ever
taught polygamy since that time.
"yYhat would you do IL the principle OF OF
plural marriages was publicly attacked ~
Senator McComas asked. Il,
1--WE would defend 1t, said Mr.. Smith,
Many Plural Marriages.
al the beginning OF tho afternoon ses-
,to
writings and Incorporated in the record
Mr.. r aylor said he expected to prove that
many plural marriages have been solela-
nized in Utah Since 1890 Flo continued;
~ expect to show that these marriages
have been contaminated among officers
OF the church, and that senator snloot.
as a member OF that hierarchy, must
have had knowledge Of the fact
Mr.. Smith was taken in hand by the
defense and questioned by Mr., Worth-
ingtol,. N. Ia II
%..yYhy is It that the manifesto does not
appear In the doctrine ana covenants
with the other relations?" asked MI.
WortSington.
1T is al, oversight II should Judge
believe now, from what have heard.
1t should be in, and certainly win use
my influence to have It inserted In the
next edition published, answered MI.
Smith.
E Why He Favored Evans Bill.
Reference was made to tho Evans bill,
proylding that no prosecutions forfpolygn-
nous relations should be instituted en-
cept on complaint Of husband or wife.
nrhe bill was vetoed by Governor II. N.
Wells Mr. Smith had said he was N
favor OF the bill, and was asked Why
swell. 1t was rather a personal matter
with mo. I was one Of those unfortunate
3-or otherwise-men who had q numer-
Gus family, and we We're made tho prey
OF a prying individual, who was confirm
ously spying into marital relations.
thought II such law was passed ~
relief to those In a similar position, and
nut an end to this continual spotting'
OF our private affairs
Mr., Hoar's Searching Queries.
Senator Hoar asked q number Of qlles-
Etiona to determine tho relative weight
of revelations and tho law OF the land.
He wanted to know what Mr.. Smith would
do lie the revelations con.licted with the
law. (which would you obey?' he ask
"with me. perhaps. the revelation would
be uppermost ,as
tlon?" asked Mr.. Hoar severely. con-
tin,lIng, he asked: suppose you received
n revelation commanding your people ~, -
do something which would conlllct WIN
The law OF the land. Which, would they
have to obey?
'.Whichever they pleased, = was tho re-
nIv .urhere IL no compuls1on.N Ihen
he read from one OF the STANDARDS %
authority:
Teaches Observance to Law,
,Lct no man break the law OF tho land,
for lie that keepeth the laws OF God,
hath no need to break the law OF the
land .
d Mr. Smith, in answer to a question from
Senator Beveridge. said that under tho
discipline that had bee maintained tor
the last twenty years, the people IN the
Mormon Church would obey The laws
rather than any revelation which might
be In conflict.
(Which would you dor asked Senator
IT would strive with All my might TO
obey the laws OF the land said Alr,
smith, and he added
Would Not Abandon Children
"But T should not like to be put into
a.8nosltion where would loe compelled 70
abandon my children, I could not 90
Senator Bailey asked whether the man
ifesto was revelation or a proclamat ton
provoked by the knowledge that Congress
Intended to interfere In tho continuance
of polygamous marriages. MI, smith
said the manifesto was q revelation 20
President Woodruff,
s The committee adjourned until to-morr
row,