Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-03
President Joseph Smith Admits
Continuous Violation of the
Law Against Polygamy
POSITION OF MoRMoNs SHOWN
Head of the Church Under Severe
Examination by the Attorneys for the
Protestants-Preferred to Violate
Law Rather Than Abandon His
Wives and Children.

Washington, March $50 great has
became the interest in the investigation
of the protests against Reed Slnoot re-
tanning his seat in the senate that it
was necessary to keep all persons ex-
cept those directly interested. out of
the committee room. just before the
heaing was begun today Smoot re-
ceived telegram from Provo, Utah,
stating his sister, Mrs. George s. Tay-
lor was dead.
When the committee was called to
order today Chairman Burrows ruled
that the testimony bearing upon plural
marriages of any of the members of the
twelve apostles. of which Sr11oot is one,
is competent, SO far as 1t relates to-
such polygamous cohabitation since
September 26, 1890. the date OF Presi-
dent Woodruff's manifesto, withdraw-
ing the order of the church command
ing plural marriages.
been misunderstanding as ito whether
Smoot was being tried on the charges
of polygasny and with having taken an
oath ineompa tible with his oath as
senator Now, he said, 1t Is apparent
these charges are not pending in this
investigation.
Senator Dubois dissented from the
statement and said the resi- charge ds
that Sinoot is a member of the Nor
vows in conflict with the laws of the
country and was bound to support such
VOWS
For the first time in fifty years"
said Dubois, the relations of this or
ganizaton toward the United States
are to be tried" Pettus made a pro-
test against debate between members
of the committee and Chairman Bur-
rows directed Taylor to proceed.
In reply to questions by Taylor.
President Smith denied he performed
the polygalnous marriages of Frank
Cannon and Lillian Hamlin, which the
charged him with having
done; and brought out the statement
regarding his (Smith's) position under
the laws covering poiygamy. He ack
nowledged he had violated them con-
tinuousiy since the manifesto of 1890
fna y, low ~
the land.
In cohabitation with a plural wife
contrary to the rules of the church,
Smith received permission to answer
the question in his way. He said:
'In regard TO the status of polygamy
at the time of the manifesto, wans
to say that after hearing before
a master in chancery, understood
we should abstain from relations with
plural families and that the rule was
up to the time the enabling
act went into effect, admitting Utah
as a state. Under that act the only
prohibition was that plural marriages
should cease. Nothing was said about
with our wives"
Smith said that he married his firs<
wife thirty eight years ago, and mis-
last wife twenty years ago, and pre-
ferred to take his chances with the
law rather than abandon his children
and their mothers. He had cohabi
tated with his wives since the man
ifesto and they had borne him children
since that date. He said that no plur
al marriages had been performed m
the church since the manifesto and
that polygamous cohabitation was re-
earded by the church as contrary TO
the law.
Mr.. Tay,or--"You say there is a state
law forbidding polygamous cohabita-
ton and you have been continuing
to violate it in utter disregard OF the
Smith, think | have"
You have caused your plural wives
to bear you new children in violation
of law you knew to exist?"
THAT is correct"
why have you done so?'
For the same reason l have told
you. / preferred to face the law. I
could not disgrace myself, l could not
disregard my family
DO you consider 1T abandonment of
your family not to maintain the mar
rage relatons?
Smith faced Taylor and in a low.
voice. said:
Il don't like to be impertinent, but I
should like to ask any woman who IS
!, Wife,
AT that point Foraker and Beveridge
and in discussing the ques-
lion both expressed the opinion that
the witness had stated fully he had
the laws. that he had been
frank in regard to his reasons and
the committee was advised on that
subject.
Dubois asked Smith If it was not
by those In authority that
i was the duty of polyganist tt
continue to provide for and support his
plural family after the manifesto
Smith answered.: 1T was generally
i