The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-11
Story of the Moses Thatcher Epi-
sode Related to Senators by
L. B. Critchlow.
POINT AGAINST SMOOT
Consent Of the Church Necessary
Before Saint Can Be Can
didate for Office.
PROSECUTIONS IN UTAH
Testimony of Former Attorney
Historian Jensen's Evidence as
to Appointment of Bishops.

most interesting and important features OF
the Investigation Of the Senator Reed
Smoot case before the Senate committee of
privileges and elections was brought out to-
day by the testimony of f. B. Critchlow.
formerly an assistant United states attor-
ney in Utah. who told the story of the
Moses Thatcher episode. According TO his
version. which was borne out by official
records. Apostle Thatcher persisted in con-
tinuing as a candidate for the United States
Senate against the wishes of a quorum of
the apostles and on that account was held
10 be mot in harmony with his quorum.
The history OF the campaign he made
against the wishes of his fellow Mormons.
OF his defeat and his subsequent trial be-
fore a committee of church officials was
given in detail. and then Thatcher's sub
mission to the will of the church was read
and put in the record Of the Smoot investi-
cation. This recantation showed Thatcher
totally broken in spirit and bowling abso-
lutely to the mandates of the church in
that the consent of an officers quorum
must be obta ned in order that he may con-
tinue I'm gcod standing. The purpose OF
the testimony was TO show that it was
necessary. according TO the rules of the
church. for Reed Smoot to have obtained
have become a candidate for the Senate.
In addition to the Thatcher episode. Mr.
CritehIow gave the history of the prose-
cutions in Utah on charges of polygamous
conduct since the passage of the Edmunds
law, and the legislation in the Territory
and State which affects Mormonism or
polygamy. His story was concise and en-
tertaining and he was interrupted but lit
tie.
When the hearing was resumed to-day
Andrew Jensen. assistant historian of the
Mormon Church, was recalled as the first
witness. He said. on cross-examinatiol,
that there were a number Of typographical
errors and misstatements in the biographies
or tie Latter-day Saints and that he got a
great deal of the information for the
volume from other publications
Chairman Burrows asked the witness to
furnish list of the presidents of the
fifty-hve stakes. and ne agreed TO do so
soon he could prepare IL. The chair
man indicated also that he would seek a
list of the bishops of the 200 wards. This
is for the purpose of bringing additional
witnesses to Washington.
Mr. Wofthington. for the defense. an
nounced that the opposing counsel had
agreed upon a statement of fact in re-
gard to the testimony In the Teasdale di-
vorce case and would present II In an exc
cutive session OF the committee.
JENSEN EXPLAINS
Mr.. Jensen gave an elaborate explana-
the distribution of authority among
apostles. presidents of stakes and bishops.
Mr. Jensen said that aside from Salt Lake,
Weaver and Summit counties the Mormons
were in the majority in all the counties of
Utah.
Senator Dubois asked. the witness in re-
gard to Apostle Heber j. Grant Mr.. Jen-
sen said Mr.. Grant had the reputation of
being a polygamist He formerly was in
charge OF missions I'm Japan and was now
In England in charge of the European mis-
sion. In reply to question from Chair
man Burrows the witness said Grant was
reputed to be a poiygamist at the time he
was named by President Simth as the head
or the mission in Japan. Ii was under
stood. Mr. Jensen said. that Grant took
wife 20 Japan and a wife to England
but he could not say if the wife Grant took
Go the Orient was the same one who was
now I'm England.
Mr. worthington asked Mr. Jensen If he
meant by the term. "reputed to be a poly
gamist. that a man has more than one
wife. or lives with more than one wife
lie said he wanted the former definition to
be understood in every case, as that was
statement which the church allows TO
60 unchallenged"
In regard TO punishments for breaking
rules of the church Mr.. Jensen said that
any member the president not excluded,
IS amenable TO the bishop of his ward,
and that other officials do not interfere.
He said such things are considered local
charge of the conduct of all local affairs.
NO PROSECUTIONS.
Chairman Burrows said President Smith
had testified that he had violated the laws
since 1890 and he asked of Mr.. Jensen: do
you know whether Mr.. Smith has ever been
fnterfered with for breaking the laws?''
81 think he was not"
do you know of any non-Mormons who
have been prosecuted since 1902"
81 don't know that any n-Mormons are
living in Utah with more than one wife
openly"
He said further that he knew of the pro-
secution of one MormOn-the case of Lorin
Harmer. who testified yesterday in regard
Mr.. Jensen said In answer 10 questions
from Senator Hoar tnat he had never
known of a prosecution of polygamist
who continued 10 live with plural wives
he had married prior 10 the manifesto OF
1880 he said that II Mormcns should turn
tnfOrmers against pOlygamiSt under such
conditions. against President Smith for
instance. such Mormon informers would be
odious in the sisht OF most members OF the
church.
senator Dubois called attention to the
prosecution OF Heber J. Grant and the
witness said he had heard OF no such eases
Mr. Jensen said ID Is only the high Off
ciais OF the church who are supposed &c
devote all of their time TO the church, who
are under obligation 10 get license from
engage in some other business or enter poll
ties.
THE TEASDALE CASE.
At the executive session OF the committee
held during recess certain proceedings In
the divorce case OF Apostle TeasdaIe were
nut into the record as evidence. The ad.
missions made in that case were ofrered by
the prosecution TO combat the testimony OF
President Joseph Smith that Teasdale mar.
rfed Lillian Hook for eternity only. anc
that she was not considered Teasdales wifi,
when he contracted the marriage with
Marion Scholes. The divorce decree set.
aside the marriage The records and testi
mony in the case and the decree are un
printable.
At the afternoon session OF the com
fnIttee Attorney Tayler. for the prosecu
ton called TO the stand r. Il. Critchlow
formerly United States district attorney II
Utah lie Is one Of the protestants agains
senator SmoOt- In lass he appointed
assistant United states district attorney
and I'm 1890 again took similar position a
salt Lake city. lie has served schOo
trustee and I'm the Legislature for "A term
lie spoke Of the passage Of the Edmund.
CONTINUED on PAGE 5. COL. 81