The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-12-13
THE SMOOT
CASE AGAIN
Senate Committee Resumes
the Hearing Of Protests.
NORMAN DIVORCES UP.
Are Granted from eDad Men = Church
Does Not Wait for the
Courts to Act
in Cases.


Of the protests against Reed Smoot, jun.
Tor senator from Utah, retaining his
seat in the United States Senate, were
resumed today before the committee on
privileges and elections. The room was
crowded, women predominating among
the spectators. Senator Smoot was ac.
companied by Waldemar Van Colt, a
Salt Lake attorney, who is assisting
a. S. Worthington Of this city in con
duct OF the defence. Judge Franklin S.
Richards, Of Salt Lake, adviser to Nor
mon witnesses, and Mr.. Worthington,
also were present. Former Represen-
tatiye R. w Taylor Of Ohio acted again
as counsel for the protestants.
When the bearing opened the members
of the committee We're Senator Burrows,
chairman; Foraker, Dubois, Pettus and
Oyernan.
The first witness called b. Mr.. Taylor
was the Rev. j. NJ. Buckley Of Morris.
town, n. j., editor Of the Christian
Of New York.
DR.. Buckley told OF visits to Utah III
1901, and again last June. At that time
he attended joint convention Of the
Young Mems and Young Womens unions
Of Mormonism. Those who spoke were
Brigham II. Roberts, Elmira s. Taylor
and President Smith. Dr. Buckley read
from an article he had written concern
ing the convention, and quoted from the
speech of President Smith on the sub.
ject of marriage.
The witness said that President Smith
the responsibilities Of marriage
and how the contract is regarded BY
many persons. Then" said DR.. Buckley,
President Smith drew himself ZIP to
his full height and spoke on the subject
Of divorce. He said that the mothers
Of his own children had been given him
by God and were saints Of God. He
deplored the mother in-law Jokes and
said his own mothers-in,law were the
best friends he ever had; that they
we're true women, worthy Of their daugh-
tiers.
Dr.. Buckley read from another arti-
Gle on this meeting, which said that
President Smiths voice rang out as
strong as William j. Bryan'ss as he
defended the Mormon marriage, and de-
slared that polygan1y was not adultery,
but was a system OF marriage.
DR. Buckley said he had made inquiries
Senator Smoot, and that he
had found no one who said one word
against him. Everywhere, the witness
said, Senator Smoot was given an ex-
'ellent character.
George Reynolds, a Mormon, living at
Salt Lake, testified that he is the first
assistant superintendent of the Mormon
,hurch Sunday school and secreatry Of
he missionary committee of the apos-
les and formerly clerk or recorder Of
.he endowment house. This relation
vas severed about ISL Mr. Reynolds
old the committee he has given eertif-
,ates of marriage, since he ceased to be
.ecorder Of the endowment house, in
'ases where widows sought to obtain
In answer to questions by Senator
)yerman, Mr. Reynolds said marriages
we're performed with dead persons in the
endowment house.
Mr.. Taylor then asked Ii divorces
were granted in the endowment house.
"The church grants divorce to those
Who have been married for time and
'ternity, but does not divorce legal mar
iages until the courts have acted, said
VI. Reynolds. Plural marriages are
lot recognized BY the courts and there
ore the church does not consult the
curt in granting divorces in case Of
UGH marriages"
Senator Foraker asked If such divor
es are granted from dead persons.
"In q few instances only, / should
ay," said the witness.
For something done after death Or
the senator asked
"In lifetime"
rs the dead person given an oppor
unity to be heardg" the senator asked.
No sir. It is becausee such cases are
eld to be unjust to the dead accused
hat SO few divorces Of this kind are
said the witness.
rs any one appointed to defend the
ccused I"
Never, but the complainant is given
hearing il satisfactory evidence IS fur
ished to the church
"Then it il purely eS parteT
Purely 50"
Senator Overman was attempting TO
ring out what assurance man may
ave Of meeting his several wives in
eayen If divorces are granted after his
cath when the noon recess of the COM
nittee was taken