The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-17
IDAHO ELECTIONS
IN MORMON GRIP
Smoot Inquiry Brings Out Testi-
mony on Part Church Takes
at the Polls.

Washington, Dec. 17.-When the
Senator Smoot investigation was re-
sumed today, Charles H. Jackson, chair
man Of the democratic state committee
of Idaho, was again called to the stand.
He testified yesterday in regard to Nor
mon interference in political affairs, and
the examination followed similar lines
today.
AS an illustration of the local church
issues in the last election, jackson said
the vote for Gooding, republican candi-
date for governor, ran behind the vote
for Roosevelt in gentle counties, and
ahead of Roosevelt in the Mormon
counties; while the vote for Heitfeld,
democratic candidate for governor, ran
ahead of Parker in the gentle counties
and behind Parker in the Mormon coun-
ties. - =
The influence of the Mormons was
shown, said the witness, by the fact
| that the democrats and Independents
| were unable to get chairmen of politi-
cal meetings held in Mormon counties,
without the aid of Mormons.
Revelation on Vote. 49,.
Mr.. Jackson said that Apostles
Matthias Cowley and John Henry Smith
were among those who went into Idaho
and told the people that there had been
revelation that they should vote the
republican ticket. Questioned by At
torney Van Colt, representing Senator
i Smoot, the witness said he never had
heard the apostles declare that there
had been such revelations; that it had
always been taken for granted there
had been revelation when a Mormon
apostle appears in Idaho to direct polit-
ical affairs.
He asserted that it is we'll known that
4ho dot ~
pass sugar bounty law and wanted it
for the reason that sugar manufac.
ture had been hailed as a Mormon in
stitution in Idaho, "and the Mormons
get everything they ask in Idaho
whether it is republican or democratic
legislature, he concluded.
The Mormon Vote.
? Attorney Van Colt produced table
showing the election returns in Idaho
in 1904 and attempted to prove that
mon counties had been thrown out
Gooding, the republican candidate
would have received still a plurality OF
more than 5000. Mr.. jackson com
batted this statement by calling atten
tion to the fact that in practically al
Of the gentle counties there are Nor
mon settlements which voted for MI
Gooding. The witness said he did not
know whether Mr.. Gooding is Nor
mon; that he had heard as many people
say he is as say he is not.
The Mormon Voters.
Mr.. Vancott brought out the fact tina
there were about 10000 Mormon vot
ers out Of total Of 10000 votes in tn
,, state.
Mr.. Jackson conteneded that Their
were "Jack Mormons or Gentle
, who are Mormon in political affair
who are able to control elections.
Mr.. jackson told Of the passage Of
calling a constitutional convention
l which was ignored until Senator Dr.
: bois had called attention to the fac
that such a convention could repeal TIL
=, Idaho testimony against polygamy. M
. jackson said the resolution had bee
2 put thru the legislature on the advic
:: Of Apostle John Henry Smith.
/ The attorney general who rendere
!; the opinion that the resolution was in
, | Mormon.
n - Book of Sealed Records.
i John Nicholson, chief recorder Of tt
j. i Salt Lake temple, was examined In r
I, = gard to the marriage records he W.
a supposed to bring to Washington. =
= stated the record he brought contain
J. all of the marriages solemnized in tt
:, temple since, 1898. He explained tn;
q there is another book in which are T
q corded the sealings Of men and wome
It married outside of the church. TT
II various religious processes each have
# book.
4 Much time was consumed in a futi
,r effort to draw from Mr.. Nicholson tt
- proper name of the other book referr'
to, and why it had not been brought
. response to the subpoena.
Mr.. Nicholson said that he was
polygamist, having two wives, but VIII
A asked if any children had been born
him by his plural wife since 1890, he ]
RS quested his questioner to await a mi
ute," adding, 81 have SO many can
remember
he After the laughter subsidized he sa
an an he had fifteen children.