Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-04
Sensation, Thursday, in Inves-
tigation at Washington.
President Smith Confesses He Inhabits
With Plural Family.
Said Smoot Got Consent Of His Asso-
ciated Apostles.

that the defendant Is associated with
a hierarchy which practices polygamy
and connives at violations of the law
and that his terry vote as senator of
the United States is subject to the
wish and command of the Mormon
church. President Joseph Smith con-
fessed that he himself had continued
to cohabit with his plural family since
the manifesto of 1890, and that he real
lied fully that he was in violation of
state laws President Smith also tes-
titled that Reed Smoot had to get the
consent of his associated apostles in
the church before he could become q
candidate for senator.
The confession of President Smith
was the sensation of the proceedings,
today, before the Senate committee on
privileges and elections. Mr.. Smith
said that the manifesto of 1890 had left
him and others with plural families in
the unfortunate situation of being COM
PEELED to defy the law or desert their
families. For himself he had preferred
to take chances with the law" rather
than to disgrace himself and degrade
his family by abandoning his wives
and the children they had borne him.
He admitted that he had had children
by all of his five wives since the mani
festO, and said he had acknowledged
them openly without Interference or
disturbance from the people of Utah.
whom he characterized as liberal and
broad minded. The defence will take
the witness, tomorrow.
Washington, March $50 great has
become the interest in the investiga-
ton of the protest against Reed Smoot
OF Utah retaining his seat in the Unit
ed States Senate. that it was neces-
sary, today, to post a policeman at the
door of the room of the committee on
privileges and elections, where the
hearings are progressing. All persons
except those directly interested were
kept out of the room, though outside
the door it was impossible almost to
maintain a passage way through the
corridor Of the Capitol. Just before the
hearing was begun, today, Mr.. Smoot
received n telegram from Provo. Utah,
stating that his sister. Mrs. George S.
Taylor, is dead as the result Of an OPP
Grafton. He had no previous knowledge
Of her illness and exhibited plainly the
effects of the sudden shock =
When the committee was called to
order, seven senator's were present.
Chairman Burrows gave the ruling on
the questions asked of President Jo-
seph F.. Smith, relating to the polyga-
NOUS rehabilitation of George F. Teas
datarJa41dormOn apostle. Objections to
such QUESTION: had been made by the
defence. The committee ruled that tes-
timony bearing upon plural marriages
of any members of the IL apostles Of
which Mr.. SmOot is one. is competent,
so far as It relates to such polygamous
cohabitation since Sept. &c. $780, the
date Of President Woodrufrs manifesto.
Withdrawing the order of the church
commanding plural marriages.
~ Senator Beveridge stated that there
had been a misunderstanding as to
whether Mr.. Smoot was being tried on
charges of polygamy and with having
taken an oath Incompatible with his
oath as n United States senator.
Now. he said. 1t is apparent that
these charges are not pending in this
investigation.
Senator Dubois dissented from the
statement that there had been such a
misunderstanding and said the real
charge is that Mr.. Smoot is n member
Of Mormon hierarchy which sub
scribes to vows in&conflict with the
laws of the country and was bound to
support such Vows.
For the first time In so years" said
Mr.. Dubois, the relations of this or
ganizations toward the United States
are to be tried"
Senator Pettusf made a protes,
against the debate between members
of the. comnsSftee and Chairman Bur-
rows directed, Mr. Taylor to proceed
Questions were then directed to as
certain Mr.. Smiths knowledge of the
plygamous marriages of Frank Can
non and whether Mr.. Smith had per
formed the service uniting Mr.. Cannon
gnl Lillian Wamlin.
Mr.. Smith said he had seen newspa-
per reports saying the he had done so
but he denied the truth of the state.
ments.
- Then Mr.. Taylor asked n number OF
questions which brought out a state
ment from Mr.. Smith regarding his owl
position under the laws covering po-
lygalny. He acknowledged that he kat
violated them continuously since the
manifesto of 1890 and is ready now ant
always had been ready to face the law:
of the land.
MIR. Taylor asked: els Capitalization
with plural wife contrary to the rule!
Of the church,"
Mr.. Smith asked and received Per
mission to make n statement and ther
answer the question in his own wa.
He spoke with great feeling and direct
ness, just the reverse OF his attitude or
the stand at :yestesaay's hearing, say
ing:
In regard to the status OF polygafny
at the time of the manifesto wantF :
say that after the hearing before IL
master of chancery understood
We should abstain from relations
our plural families and thiPtJ,,
observed up to the time I'll Sc
act went into effect atimittF as
state. Un6er that act tn oA pro
hibition was that pluralp ges
should cease. Nothing wash u'o''bou,
cohabitation without wivesJ ."e
with the wives you hN Iorrried
previous to the manifesto, H 49, .n?'
fy,A@ IA