River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-01-21
SENATOR SMOOT
is UNDER FIRE
Senate Committee Begins Investiga-
ton of His Case.
AN OUTLINE OF THE CHARGES
The Inquiry Involves the Right Of
Utah Senator to Occupy n Seat
in the United States
Senate.

Washington, Jan, 1S-The senate
committee on privileges and elections
m It Saturday for the purpose of hearing
the presentations of the attorneys on
both sides of the case involving the right
of Senator Smoot, of Utah, to occupy
his seat Former Representative Tay-
lor, of Ohio, was heard for some OF the
protestants, and T. P. Stephenson, for
those who are representing the National
Reform association. A S. Worthing-
ton and Waldemar Van Coot were pres
ent on behalf of Senator Smoot, who also
was in attendance. The first presenta-
ton was made by Mr.. Taylor, who began
his statement by saying that heidi not
know that any proof would be presented
in support of the charge that Mr.. Smoot
was polygamist. He took up the ques-
ton on the right of the senate to expel
a member, contending that the senate's
authority in the matter was limited
only by the question of propriety. On
the point Of testimony, Mr.. Taylor said
the protestants expected to prove the
lOllOWIHS Charges.
The Charges Against Smoot.
1. The Mormon priesthood, according
to the doctrine of the church and the
belief and practice of it's membership,
is vested with, and assumes to exercise,
supreme authority in all things tenn
poral and spiritual, civil and political.
The head of the church claims to re-
ceive Divine revelations, and these Reed
Smoot, by his covenants and obligations,
is bound to accept and obey.
2. The first presidency and II apostles,
of whom Reed Smoot is one, are supreme
in exercising the authority of the
church, and in the transmission of the
authority to their successors. Each of
them is called a prophet, seer and re-
velator.
3. AS is shown by their teachings and
by their own lives, this body of men
has not abandoned beliefs in polyg-
amous cohabitation. On the contrary:
(a) AS the ruling authorities of the
church they promulgate in the most
solemn manner the doctrine of polyg-
amy, without reservation.
CD The president of the Mormon
church and majority of the IL apos-
ties now practice polygamy and
polygamous cohabitation, and some of
them have taken pOlygamous wives
since the manifesto of 1880. These
things have been done with the knowl-
edge and countenance of Reed Smoot,
plural marriage ceremonies have been
performed by apostles since the mani
festo of 1890, and many bishops and
other high officials of the church have
taken plural wives since that time. All
of the first presidency and the IL
apostles encourage, countenance, con-
ceal and conniye at polygamy and
polygamous cohabitation, and honor
and reward by high Office and dis
tinguished preferment those who most
persistently and defiantly violate the law
of the land.
a. Though pledged by the compact OF
statehood and bound by the law of their
commonwealth, this supreme body
whose voice is law to it's people, and
whose members were individually di-
rectly responsible for good faith to the
American people, permitted, without
protest or objection, their legislators to
pass law multiplying the statute against
polygamous cohabitation.
For all these things Reed Smoot is re-
sponsible in law and in conscience, to
this body and to the American people.
Reply to the Charges.
In reply, Mr.. Worthington said the
statements made by Mr.. Taylor differ
very materially from the charges made
in the formal statements, and he asked
time in which to make reply, which
was granted.
Mr.. Worthington agreed that there
was no limit to the power of the senate
to pass upon the notification of it's own
members, but contended that its justifi-
cation is limited. He laid down the
general proposition, that the senate was
without jurisdiction of offenses which
may have been committed before mem
Der became senator, unless commit
ted in connection with his election.
None to Charge POIygamy.
Senator McComas asked whether
there was anyone present who appeared
for the person who charges Mr.. Smoot
with being polygamist.
No one answered, and Mr.. Worthing-
ton said that if anyone did appear to
support that charge it must be borne in
mind that Mr.. Smoot has positively de-
MED it, He referred to Mr.. Shoots an
swer settling forth the circumstances of
his marriage, which Mr.. Worthington
said is the only marriage he has ever
contracted. He invited the fullest in
quiry into Mr.. Shoots life. 1--WE
throw down the bars" he said, land
invite you to investigate his entire
career"
Heavy Loss by Fire.
Scranton, Pa. Jan. 18.-The Olyphant
breaker and washery of the Delaware