The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1904-03-12
HOLDS TO PoLYCAMY.
President Smith Affirms Belief in tho
Doctrine-Smoot Inquiry
Begins.

Washington. March 3.-The investi-
cation which is to decide whether Reed
Smoot. Of Utah, is to retain his seat In
the United States senate and incident
ally define the political status of the
Mormon church, was formally begun
Wednesday before the senate commit
tee on privileges and elections. Great
cause Of the dual purpose Of the inquiry.
An effort to air the innermost secrets
OF the Mormon faith was manifested In
the first days proceedings. President
Joseph ID. Smith. the highest official Of
the church. was on the stand all day.
He was questioned closely in regard to
the principles of Divine revelations. He
said he adhered absolutely to all the
teachings of the church in that regard,
and that he himself had been visited
with Divine inspirations from God, d.
recting him as to details in matters per-
tanning to the welfare of the church.
though no angels had come to him, as in
the case of the revelation to his uncle.
Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the
church. He subscribed to the standard
of authority for the church in relation
to the revelation commanding polyg-
amy, as made known to the first presi-
dent in a visit from IAN angel in black"
He also said that he still believed in
polygamy.
Washington, March 4-With startling
frankness. Joseph Smith, president OF
the Mormon church, admitted-or rath-
err proudly declared to the senate COM
mittee conducting the investigation of
the Smoot case Thursday that he is po-
lygamist, that he has continued to live
and cohabit with several wives, and has
had children born to him by his plural
wives in open violation of the law since
the manifesto of 1890.
He stated unreservedly and unhesitat-
lngly that he knew he was violating the
law, but preferred to do SO rather than
give up his wives,
But was placed in this position"
said Mr.. Smith. 81 had family-a plur-
al family, IL you please. married my
first wife more than 3S years ago, and
my last wife more than 20 years ago.
BY these wives have had children, and
have preferred to take my own chances
with the law and suffer any consequent
ces the law might visit upon me rather
than abandon these children and their
mothers"
Washington, March 5.-President Jo-
seph F. Smith, of the Mormon church,
was called to the stand by Senator Hoar
at the opening of Fridays proceedings
before the senate committee on privi-
leges and elections in the investigation
OF protests against Senator Reed Smoot,
OF Utah. Senator Hoar desired informa-
ton on the subject of the rights Of
women in the church and whether they
hold any priestly authority
a Mr. Smith said the women are regard
ed as the equals Of the men in all mat
tiers OF voting, but that In holding
"priestly authority" women are not re-
garded on the same plane. He explained
that the women have charitable asso-
citation known as the 'Woman's Relief
Society" in which they have authority
to perform certain prescribed duties
This authority is confined to the reliev-
ing Of distress, but women are not or
dained high priests. apostles or elders.
Washington, March 7.-President
Smith, of the Mormon church, on the
stand in the Smoot inquiry in the sem
ate admitted the laws were being vio-
lated in Utah. but intimated 1t was
not for congress to interfere. He said
he was amenable only to the state laws
of Utah. He also testified that there
were $40 polygamous families in the
state.