The Washington times., 1904-12-12
Defendant Seems Cheer
full and Confident
of Success.
DIR. BUCKLEY A WITNESS
Tells of His Investigations
Into MormoniSm in Salt
Lake City.

A dissertation on the blessings of a
multiplicity of mothers-in-law. accord
ing 10 a speech iaade in Salt Lake City
last June by President Joseph T. Smith,
of the Mormon Church, was the feature
of the testimony given today by the
first witness in the Smoot investigation.
on the resumption Of sessions by the
Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections.
The witness was the Rev. Dr. J. NJ.
Buckley. of New York city. editor Of the
Christian Advocate" an organ OF tha
Methodist Episcopal Church. He had
made trips 10 Utah in 1865. 1901, and 1904,
and on the occasion of his last trip at
tended a meeting of the Young Men and
Young Women's Mutual Improvement
Association in the Mermon Tabernacle,
when the speech quoted was delivered
by President Smith.
Ia IL the head of the church inveighed
against the custom OF decrying the in
fiuence OF "a mother-in-law. and declared
that he. with five wives and forJy-fve
children, had found nc grounds for such
complaint.
Laugh Greets Statement.
A loud laugh was eccasioncd by the
witness descriptive statement: His
voice rang out strong and clear ike VIII
liam j. Bryan, treferring 10 President
Smith. lie also quoted the head Of the
church as declaring that he would not
shrink from exile, imprisonment, or
any earthly hardship rather than give
Up his plural wives. The Inference
drawn from this was That the church
contrived 10 preach pOiygamy. IN spite
Of the manifesto. but the witness testi-
fled without reserve 10 the fact the
nothing that he had learned reflected
upon the personal character Of Senator
Smo0t
Chairman Burrows received an en-
phatic affirmation when he inquired OF
the witness. is IL a fact that Presi-
dent Smith declared that To abandon
multiplicity OF wives would necessarily
cause eternal damnatiou- The reply
was. Yes, sir, most definitely. He
described smith as apparently acting
under the terrific pressure or uucon-
troIlable circumstances.
DR. Buckley declared that he had no
knowledge of Senator SmOOt save from
common report. He asked thousands
OF people. and there was not "a breath
Of evil report against him. Dr. Buck
ley said.
Higher Than Any Law.
George Reynolds. the second witness
created surprise by the declaration that
President Smith could and did divorce
dead men from their widows-in other
words. that tine head of the church ex-
ercised supreme power not only over
the living members Of the church. but
over these who had passed to another
world: and that 40 man al death. could
have any sure ground Tor expecting 10
meet his wife. or wives, in the here
after.
Il asked everybody what kind of
man SmoUt Was-Was he "a plygamist,
not only in Utah but in California and
/ must say that every answer was that
he was a good man that ne had never
liver with amy woman than his wife.
This came from Republicans, Demo
Gratis. MormOns and Gentlles.
Witness Reynolds was baptised into
the church IN lA5b and his prominence
In tie church was indicated by his testl-
mOuy that he held the following offices.
one OF the seven presidents OF seven
ties" first assistant superintendent OF
the Mormon Sunday Schools, secretary
Of the missionary committee OF the
twelve Apostles, associate editor of the
churcn organ on Sunday schools, and
deyotes an his time 10 church work.
Married After Death.
In response TO Senator Oyerman's in
uuiry. the witness said people We're bap-
tised and married after they We're dead
Just as they We're also sometimes di-
vorced Senator Foraker elected the
response that although, I'm the witness
opinion il was unjust 10 take action
against "a man who could not appear in
his own defense, nevertheless mo- one was
appoiuted 10 act, as proxy, in defense
Of the dead man. lie defended the pro-
cedure under the general power of the
head Of the church to seal and TO loose
for time and for eternity
Requests of dead persons for b8utism
were usually made by their descendants.
witness said, although sometimes by
Visions in the way of dreams. which
the faithful could interpret.
Smoot on Hand.
Senator smoot was early at the room
of the Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections this morning 90 bear the
charges against him, and SO far as out
ward appearances go, he was exceeding
Iy cheerful
The members of th- committee were
not so prompt as ne, and while await
ing their coming he chatted afabIy with
rewsuaper men. his counsel, and others.
relative 10 the resumption OF the hear
ing of his case. IL WAS "a half hour
LATER that five members of the commit
Tee assembled. Senator burrows, chair
man and Senators Pettus, OVermau.
Foraker, and Dubois. The attendance
was about all the room permits 80 per
cent of the audience being women
DR. j. NJ. Buckley, OF MOrristOHu, N.
j.. editor OF the Christian Advocate.
organ OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church. was the first witness. IIe said
that he had been "a minister for twenty
six wears; "a colony had lived within
ten miles of his native town, suIar fifty
five wears ago. When forced upon him,
lac studied various cults. He said:
AS soon as commanded money
enough / visited Utah. thiTty-five years
ago, and saw Brigham Young In all nis
IEnntinnnd nm Ninth IlnnaA