The Washington times., 1904-03-02
Interesting Hearing in
SmOOt Case at the
Capitol Today.
WITNESSES FROM UTAH
Members of Committee Ask
Questions and important
Facts Are Brought Out.

Investigation into the right of Reed
Smcct. of Utah, an apostle of the Nor
mon Church, to retain his seat in the
Senate of the United States. began this
morning before the Senate Committee
oi Privileges and Elections
President Joseph +. Smith, the high
est official Of the Mormon Church, was
the first witness. He IS a man about
sIXty-five years old. with a long gray
beard, falling over his ministeriaI-ap-
peSring black frock coat. His iron
gray hair was carefully brushed back.
showing a high forehead. and his dark
bi own eyes peered through gold-rimmed
glasses.
low six feet, and is of ascetic build
Irt Of benevolent appearance. Seated
next to him was f. NJ. Lyman, presi-
dent of the twelve apostles, apparently
OF about the same age, with reddish
hair. streaked with gray.
On the lapel OF President Smiths coat
was a button an inch in diameter bear
ing picture Of his father, a patriarch
OF the church.
The committee room was crowded with
witnesses who had been summoned from
Utah and with representatives Of va
rious wOmen's organizations and others
interested IN the case.
The Session Opened.
The committee was called to order at
l0:l6 o'clock with the following members
Present: Senators Hoar, Hopkins, Fora
Rer. Dillingham;. Pettus, Dubois, Bailey,
Overman. and Burrows. chairman.
Ex-Secretary John G. Carlisle and
Representative Robert w. Tayler. Of
Ohio, attorneys for the petitioners. sat
at the right Of the witness and at his
left were A S. worthingron and waIde-
mar Van Cott. counsel for Smoot. and
Franklin S. Richards. official counsel for
the Mormon Church.
Senator Smoot sat with them with
the witnesses from Salt Lake City
grouped back OF him. On the opposite
side of the room were Charles owen
Marstyn and his friends from Salt Lake
City who are pressing the case against
SmOot.
The Mormon President.
President Joseph F. Smith. of the
Mormon Church. was called 70 testify
At the suggestion of Mr. Burrows. ne
lock the witness chair at the opposite
end Of the table from the chairman,
rear the counsel of both Sides. When
asked to take the oath. he said he pre-
fCrred to affirm. rather than swear. and
THIS was permitted.
Mr.. Tayler began the cross -examina-
ticn by asking the usual questions Of
birth and residence.
President Smith testified that ne
lived in Salt Lake City, and had lived
there since 1S4S He admitted that in
addition TO his title he was called
prophet. seer, and revelator," and was
TAT npn Igr
because OF his holding the office OF
president. Mr.. Smith said, but he ad-
naitted that all the apostles also were
sustained in the same way.
Mr.. Smith repeated the names of his
predecessors as head OF the Mormon
Church. ana said he believed himself
possessed Of all the. powers which they
exercised in their terms OF Office.
Smith a Busy Man.
After much questioning Mr. Smith
testified that ne was connected with the
following institutions, and corpora tions:
President Of the Mormon Church: OF
the Zion Cooperative Mercantile Insti-
tuition: Of the State Bank Of Utah; OF
Zion Savings Bank, Utah Sugar Com
pany; Consolidated Wagon and Machine
Company: Utah Light and Power Com
pany: Salt Lake and Los Angeles Rail
way Company: Salt Air Beach Com
pany: Consolidated Light and Power
Company Ohe same as Utah Light and
Power Company; Salt Lake Dramatic
Association: the Salt Lake Knitting
Company. and editor Of the Mutual
Improvement Era and the Juvenile
Instructor.
-Four Mormon Books.
The wltTncss said the Mormon Church
wes founded by Joseph Smith. jr. uncle