Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-03-09
PRIEST. SMITH RECALLED.
Asked Regarding Giving Statistics
On Polygamous Marriages.


Washington, March 9.-The seventh
day Of the hearings In the Senator
smoot case was opened before the SEN
ate committee on privileges and cleo
tions by Atty, Tayler for the prosecu-
ton recalling President Joseph F.
Smith, of the Mormon" Church, TO the
stand Mr.. Smith was questioned as to
the interview he gave TO representa-
tive Of the Associated Press In 1902.
giving statistics in regard to the Church
and the number OF polygamists In Utah.
Mr. Smith had said the entire interview
consisted Of statistics and that in that
statement he had said nothing for the
purpose of supporting the candidacy OF
Reed Smoot for the United States sena-
torship. Upon hearing the Interview
read Mr. Smith admitted he had been
quoted correctly IN regard to Mr. Smoot
and had urged his election.
r. CUFF, IRIS FAMILY,
Mr., Smith said he was acquainted
with Benjamin Cluff Jr., president of
the board of faculty Of the Brigham
Young academy and that he is reputed
to be a poygamist, He also was asked
about Abraham Cannon and II the
general charge had not been that he
took a plural wife, Lillian Hamlin,
since the manifesto OF 1890.
Mr. Smith said that had been a news
paper charge and he had paid no at
tentlon TO 1t.
"The officers Of the Mormon Church
are sensitive In regard to the charge
that plural marriages have been per-
formed since 1890 are they not|' Mr.
Tayler asked.
Mr., Smith said he thought they were
sensitive on the subject. He was
asked then whether he had taken any
steps TO run down the stories that the
laws had been violated by officers OF
the Church. He answered that the
public charge did not concern him and
that II he took the time TO answer all
the charges made against himself and
other officials Of the Church he would
not have time to do other work.
Reference was made especially TO the
charges against George Teasdale an
Apostle, and Mr. Smith was asked II he
did not feel called upon In that case TO
make some inquiry In justice to the
reputation Of the Church.
1T was not my business to do So"
he said,
do you mean TO say that notwlth-
standing the sensitiveuess you profess,
you do not take steps to have corrected
what YOU term false charges|
1T IL not my business to do So the
witness replied with emphasis
DUTY OF BISHOPS COURTS.
1.-THE question IL, do your" said
Chairman Burrows
Mr. Smith then explained that II Is
the duty OF the Bishops courts TO pass
upon the morals Of those who live In
their wards or districts,
Does that include officials OF the
church," was asked,
1T includes all members"
When asked II the rule applies TO Of
flclals who are above the bishops In au-
llplllgt MI plHllIl etih ~ "" NN''
"Then In the interest OF the Church
you would feel inclined to investigate
such cases, would you not?'
mot such vicious charges as have
been made against u.s.
"Well, now, suppose II was charged
that Francis NJ Lyman, president Of
the apostles had performed plural
marriage ceremony since 1880, would
you not investigate that"
1T IL not supposable case, and II
II was could not answer he said,
Chairman Burrows insisted upon
knowing from the witness whether he
would have investigated such charges
agalns any Of the apostles and the Wit
ness answered again: ut Is not my
business to do IT. Then he said All
of the charges made are Of cases which
are said TO have occurred before ] be-
came president and / know nothing
about them"
But now that you are president,
what would you do " such charges
were madeY asked the chairman.
DUTY OF LESSER OFFICIALS.
Mr.. Smith said he would not inyesti-
gate the case because that was the duty
Of lesser officials.
Chairman Burrows asked In regard.to
the marriage ceremony performed In
the Church lie spoke OF the marriages
for time, the marriages for time and
eternity, and the marriages Tor eternity