The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-05
PRESIDENT SMITH AGAIN
DEFENDS THE PRINCIPLE
OF PLURAL MARRIAGE
Says if 1t Should Be Attacked the
Whole Mormon Church Would
Defend 1t.
SPIES ARE DENOUNCED
Mormons' Chief Shows Intense
Feeling in Condemning Cen
tile Espionage.
NIGHT OBEY REVELATION
Rather Than the Law of the Land,
il a Conflict Arose-Tilts
Between Senators.
NIGHT OBEY REVELATION


Investigation before the Senate committee
on privileges and elections on the protests
against Senator Reed smoot. of Utah. was
unabated to-day, although most of the time
was devoted TO introduction of documents
subscribed to as the law of the Mormon
Church In that connection. President Jo-
seph F. Smith. who again was on the stand,
testified that If the principle of plural mar
riage should be attacked, it would be de-
Tended by the church
Intense feeling was exhibited by President
Smith against individuals who, he said, had
spied on the domestic and marital relations
OF the high officials OF the Mormon Church,
aud for no other reason he had favored the
passage OF the Evans bill to prevent pros
ecution Of persons for maintaining polyg-
relations unless complaints were
entered by husband or wife against the
other This bill was passed. but vetoed by
the Governor of Utah. 1t was brought out
that all of Mr.. Smiths predecessors, as
presidents of the Mormon Church, had been
polygamists and that the man chosen to
succeed him has more than one wife
Mr. Smith asked which he would
obey, the law of the land or the revela-
tions from God. if the two were in con-
fiict. He said he might obey the revelation
Il should not like TO be put in a position
where l would have to desert ny children
could not do that"
Senator Hoar desired information on the
subject of the rights of women in the
church and whether they hold any priestly
authority
STATUS OF WOMEN.
MIR. Smith said the women are regarded
as the equals of the men in all matters of
voting. but that in holding "priestly au-
thority," women are not regarded the
same plane. He explained that the women
have charitable association known as
THE Woman's Relief Society" in which
they have authority to perform certain pre-
scribed duties. This authority is limited
TO the relieving of distress, but women are
not ordained high priests apostles or
elders.
Reading from the Deseret News of June
., 1893. regarding a speech by Mr.. Smith
at the Weber State reunion, Mr.. Tayler
asked Mr.. Smith If he correctly re-
ported IN saying that the doctrine of plural
marriages was a revelation by God to Jo-
seph smith, jr.. and to reject that would
self MIR. Smith said he believed he was
correctly reported. and when a list of
names of those present including Senator
SmoOt, was read, Mr.. Smith said the list
was correct He declared that he would
not have had the article published if he
had been consulted. Pressed for reason
ne said that he was under Injunction not
TO teach the rightfulness of polygamy and
that he had refrained from so doing in
public.
Senator Hoar asked Mr. Smith why he
avoided practicing what he had held to be
divine command and the witness an
swered IL was because of the more recent
manifesto stopping the practice. Senator
Hoar persisted that according to the wit
ness own statements the practice had not
peen stopped, and senator Foraker inter
posed abruptly that the witness had gone
over that matter fifty times and he could
see no purpose of the continued question
Senator Hoar resented the interruption
and said Senator Foraker's statement sug-
Bested that he had asked one question fifty
times and had received fifty answers He
objected to the inference and when Sena-
TOR Foraker arose TO answer, he, too,
stood up.
The two senators faced each other in
what threatened to be a serious clash. SEN
ator Foraker said the senator from Mass
acnusetts could say what he pleased. of
course, but have not said he asked fifty
questions.
BEVERIDGE STILLS STORM
i accept the disclaimer from the senator
from Ohio" responded Senator Hoar but
the aggressive manner in which it was said
failed 10 relieve the situation.
After more heated words Senator Bev-
eridge, who occupied a position directly
between the two. requested permission to
ask question. lie said he wanted to ad-
dress Mr.. Smoot, and Immediately substi-
tuted the name Smith. In the laugh that
was provoked both senators sat down and
the hearing continued. Senator Beveridge
desired to know whether the church consid-
cred that the laws were being Obeyed when
poiygamous cohabitation had continued
since the manifesto of 1890. and Chairman
burrows made the question more personal
He said: you have said to-day that you
were Obeying the laws in not teaching
pOlygamy since the manifesto. Do you think
you were Obeying the law in having eleven
children from different mothers since that
Il obey the law so far as teaching is
cont erned. have not said that l have
I opey.a Sdsn1 tne law IN my practice. As | have
with the law rather than abandon my
plural family. Polygamy has not been
taught In the church by any of the officials.
The church has obeyed the laws even IL |
have not" said Mr.. Smith
Reference had been made many times to
the revelation commanding plural mar
riages and Senator Foraker said that al
though the ground may have been covered
before he would like to have go in the
Record an answer TO this question: When
where and how was the injunction in favor
OF polygamy received by the church?' What
! want to know is whether the practice is
arbitrary or merely permissive."
Mr.. Smith explained that the revelation
was made 10 Joseph Smith, 1r., at Nauvoo.
iE 1872 but was not publicly proclaimed on
account Of the disturbance against Smith
which had made him martyr. The doc
tT1ne. he SAID, ndd Deen tduBHl DN Joseph
Smith TO Brigham Young and his associates :
and preserved by Young. Ii was taken 10 the
Salt Lake valley In 1914, and In 1852 was
proclaimed by Young and accepted as n
revelation.
Does that answer your question:" asked
Mr. Smith.
1T answers as to when and where. but
not how" said Senator Foraker. WI
i want TO know is whether the members
OF the church were compelled to practice
the polygamous marriages. and If that is
true why Is IL that only or per cent.
OF the ALOrmOns have practiced what has
been declared To be divine commando"
THE DIVINE REVELATION.
Mr. Smith called for a copy of the book
or doctrines and covenants and read a part
OF the revelation which. he said. had been
accepted IN the nature OF permission TO take
plural wives and was not mandatory on
the members OF the church. other pas
sages from the same revelation were read.
particularly the portions which prescribe
the manner OF taking more than wife.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5. COL 81