Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-03-05
PRESIDENT SMITH OF THE NOR
MON CHURCH ADMITS vlo.
LATlON OF THE LAW.
STANDS READY TO FACE CHARGES
PREFERS TO SUFFER PENALTY
RATHER THAN ABANDON
PLURAL FAMILIES.


the stand at the opening of the days
session of the Smoot hearing, Mr.
Tayler, for the prosecution, asked a
number of questions which brought
'out a statement from Mr., Smith re-
sgarding his own position under the
laws covering polygamy. He acknoWi-
edged that he had violated them con
land is ready now and always had
been ready to face the laws OF the
land Mr.. Tayler asked:
"Is cohabitation with plural wife
contrary to the rules of the church?'
Mr.. Smith asked and received per-
mission to make a statement and then
answer the question in his own way.
He spoke with great feeling and direct
ness, saying:
"Ln regard to the status OF polygamy
at the time of the manifeste i want to
say that after the hearing before the
master Of chancery ] understood that
We should abstain from relations win
our plural families and that rule was
observed up to the time the enabling
act went into effect admitting Utah as
a state. Under that act the only pro
hibition was that plural marriages
should cease Nothing was said about
cohabitation with our wives.
With the wives you had married
previous to the manifesto, you. mean?"
interrupted Mr.. Hoar.
Plural Marriages Forbidden.
"That is what | meant" said Mr..
Smith Il understood that plural mar
riageS were TO cease and ever since
the manifesto until the present time
there never has been a plural mar
riage in the church performed in ac-
cordance with its teachings or with
the conriVance OF the church and he
added with greater mphaais. II know
whereof l speak,
Then in answer to the question
whether polygamous cohabitation was
regarded by the church as contrary
to the law he answered: 1T was"
Continuing, he said: This was the
case and is the case now"
But l was placed in this position"
said Mr. Smith, Il had a .family-a
plural family. it you please. Il married
my first wife more than thirty eight
years ago and my last wife more than
have had children and have preferred
to take my OWN chances with the la
and suffer any consequences the Law
might visit upon me rather than 4aban.
don these children and their mothers.
Il have continued to cohabit wit.
them since the manifesto OF 1890 an.
they have borne me children since
that date I was fully aware Of wha
T doing T know 7 wac amanah,-
to the law, but, as l say / preferred II
face that situation rather than-to de |
.sert them. 1 have not cohabited wit.
the two wives openly Or Haunted the
fact, but ! have Acknowledged these
wives and children as my familg.
Utah People Condone rOffense.
"The people of Utah have regarded
the situation as an exist 9 l..3t. These
people as rule are broad mindea
and liberal in their views and have
condoned the offense-,if offense it lis
rather than interfere With my sit
uation as they found it. 1t has been
known what I have been doing /
have not been interfered with nN
disturbed in any way. If i had beepI
/ was there to answer the charges. III
was willing to face them and submit
to the penalty. whatever it might be.
Mr. Dubois then asked Mr.. Smith Il
it was not understood by those in au-
thoritF that it was the duty of theI
to continue to provide for
and support his plural family after the :.
of 1880.
Mr.. Smith answered that lit was
generally so understood" :
Resuming the inquiry concerning
Mr.. Smith personal polygamons rels-
tions Mr. g'ayler asked:
''How many children have Nea haa
since the manifesto Of 1892 T.
Mr.. WoTthington objected Oh the
part Of the defense and both Senators
Beyeridge and Foraker said that they
thought, as the witness had said his
wives had borne children since the
manifesto, it made no difference how
many such children had been born tel
aim.
Tayier Insists on the Question.
Il contend that it does make a diff
.erence,' said Mr.. Tayler. lit makes 4
, difference how well the fact was ad- ,
,ertised that he was violating the 4
aw 1t makes a difference whether ,
t was two or twenty-five in the effect
lis example might have upon others
n the church" 4
Mr.. Burrows asked Mr.. Smith if he s
lad married any wives between the
lrst and the last tlat hes had men
ioned during his statement TO the {
Committee. .
Il have" said Mr.. Smith. !
"How many?"
Three
"Then you have five wives noV?"
aid Mr.. Burrows. { 1
THAT is correct" was the response.
Mr.. Burrows ruled that the question {
bieeted to was in order and directed !
he stenographer to read the question. Z
How many children have you had .
ince the manifesto of 1902 was