The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-02
SENATORS OPEN
SMOOI INQUIRY
Investigation to Determine Stand
ing Of Member from Utah
Begins.
Influence Of Creeds and Factions
in Nations Affairs In
volved.
President Smith of Mormon
Church Is First Witness
Heard.

Washington, March 1.-The investi-
cation which is to decide whether
Reed Smoot of Utah is to retain his
seat in the United States senate and
incidentally define the political status
of the Mormon church was formally
begun to-day before the senate COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
Z Great interest attaches to the hear
ings because of the dual purpose OF
the inquiry. Newer before has there
been an inquiry into creeds as political
factors to determine whether an UNI
lawful influence is being exerted upon
the political affairs Of the nation.
1t is expected that the hearings will
extend over several weeks and prec1pi-
tate a contest in which noted legal
talent will fight every inch of the way.
Joseph F. Smith, president Of the
Mormon church was the first witness
and, in all probability he will occupy
the attention Of the committee for two
or three days.
The attorneys for the defense, A. s.
Worthington of this city and Waldo
mar Van Colt of Salt Lake, arrived
early and engaged in consultation with
| their client.
j. G. Carlisle, former secretary Of
the treasury, and r. W. Tayler, for
mer representative in congress and the
attorney who prosecuted the success
full contest against Brigham Roberts
retaining his seat in congress on the
ground of having violated the anti
polygany law, are the counsel for the
| protestants.
| Chairman Burrows directed Mr..
Tayler to proceed with the case af-
! ter President Joseph Smith had been
sworn. Franklin 8. Richards, Salt
Lake attorney, stated that he was
present as an adviser of the witnesses,
in the event any improper questions
were asked.
Mr.. Tayler asked Mr.. Smith If he
was a prophet, seer and revelator.
The witness said he was so sus-
tanned. He said the apostles of the
| church were Sustained" in the same
powers as prophets seers and revela,-
tors.
"A list of first presidency or twelve
apostles governing the church was
read by Mr.. Tayler and identified by
j Mr.. Smith. This list included the
name of Reed Smoot
Mr.. Smith explained that the first
4 presidency is the president OF the
church and two high priests OF coun-
cillors, and that the twelve apostles are
next in auth GRITTY.
The presidents are elected by the
council and the apostles, he said, but
he believed and it Is taught that the
presidents are really chosen by divine
i revelation and they are then endowed
with the authority of the holy priest
hood by authority direct from God.
/ He said the apostles might elect to
Z their number in the event of vacan-
4 cy, but that they would not go contra
i nv to the wish of the first presidency
!: In relation to revelations Mr.. Smith
said:
.'The members Of the Mormon
church are entitled to their own con.
ception of what appears to them to be
the right or the wrong.
mot more than or per cent Of
, the entire membership Of the church
} have entered that state. All the res
have abstained from plural marriage:
and many thousands have rejected the
principle entirely"