Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-09
President SIN tn Again Be-
fore Senate Committee.
AS TO PUBLIC CHARGES
SAYS HE HAS NOT TIME TO IN
vESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS.
Describes the Variety of Marriages in
the Mormon Church-How He
Justifies Polygamy.


Senator Smoot was opened before the
Senate committee ON privileges and elec-
| tions by Aatorney Taylsr, for the prosecu-
| ton, recalling President Joseph f. Smith
| of the Mormon Church to the stand. MP.
| Smith was questioned in regard to the in
| terview he gave to representative 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 Serate. Upon hearing the inter-
| view read Mr.. Smith admitted he had been
quoted correctly in regard to Mr. Smoot
| and had urged his election.
Mr.. Smith said ne was acquainted with
| BENJAMIN Clough, jr, president of the
| board of faculty of the Brigham Young
Academy. and that he is reputed to be
| polygamist. He also was asked about Abra-
| ham Cannon. and if the general charge had
! not been made that he took 4 plural wife,
| Lillian Hamin. since The manifesto Of 1880.
Mr.. Smith said that mad been d newspa-
| per charge and he had paid no attention
| to it.
1.-The officers of the Mormon Church are
| sensitive in regard to charges that plural
| marriages have been performed since 1880.
| are they not?" Mr.. Tayler asked.
| very sensitive that subject.
| Does Not Run Down Charges.
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 if he
| took time to answer all tine charges made
! against himself and other officials of the
| church he would not have time to do other
work.
Reference was made specifically to the
| charges against George Teasdale, an apos-
| tie. and Mr.. Smith was asked If he did
not feel called upon in that particular case
| to make some inquiry in justice to the rep
uta ation of the church.
sIt was not my business to do So" he
said.
DO you mean to say that nothwith-
standing the sensitivenass you profess, you
do not take steps to have corrected what
you term false charges?'
"It is not my business to do so,'' the
| witness repeated. with emphasis.
'The question is. do you," said Chair
man Burrows.
| Mr.. Smith then explained that it 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
| churchT was asked
| "It includes all members
When asked If the rule applies to Of
| ficials who are above the bishops In author
ity, Mr.. Smith said 1T did not.
''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.
"Wen, now. suppose it was charged that
| Francis NJ. Lyman, president of the apos-
/ ties, had performed plural marriage cere-
mony since 1890. would you not investigate
| that?'
| "It is not a supposable case and il it was
| / cOnid %
| Chairman Burrows insisted upon know
| ing from the witness whether he would
| have investigated such charges against any
| of the apostles, and the witness answered
| again 1T is not my business to do it,
| Then he said: "Al of the charges made
| were of cases which are said to have oc-
| CURED before 1 became president, and I
1 know nothing about them.
But now that you are president, what
would you do if such charges were NADER"
/ asked the chairman.
| Mr. Smith said he would not investigate
| the cases, because that was the duty of
| lesser officials.
Variety Of Marriages.
Chairman Burrows asked in regard to the
marriage ceremonies performed in the
| church. He spoke of the marriages for
| time, the marriages for time and eternity,
| and the marriages for eternity only and
asked if the latter is not called sealing"
| "They are all called sealing" was the re-
| sponse.
''Is this sealing for eternity ever per-
| formed for living persons?'
| Il believe L have heard of one or two
| such cases. said the witness
Are any polygamists ever sealed for
eternty?"
| No, si..''
| Does this service of sealing for eternity
carry the right of earthly cohabitation?'
| Mo-
rs the practice ever exercised as a
rght?"
Not that know of -
Chairman Burrows asked the witness to
| identify the Book of Mormon, and then
turning to the revelation of the prophet,
| Joseph Smith, he asked specifically in re-
| gard to the manner it revealed, and
| was informed that it was revealed to him
| by God.
| Chairman Burrows asked if polygamy was
| taught in that book and Mr.. Smith answer
| ed that 1t was emphatically forbidden.
| Reading from the book, which is called the
| Mormon bible, Chairman Burrows called at
| tention to the words of God in reference to
| David and Solomon and his dispeasure be-
cause of the fact that they kept more than
| one wife and many concubines. The chair.
man asked IL that did not prohibit polyg-
| amy, and if that was the when was
| the law Of the Lord changed in order to
permit the practice.
Mr.. Smith said the book or the law had
| not been modified, and that the chairman
| had read only part of the chapter.
| Read further" he said
| Chairman Burrows read verse where the
| Lord commands the chastity of women, but
still the witness said Read on
| Two more verses were read and these pro-
| voked like requests until the chairman OBJ
| jected.
| Il don't want to read the entire bible" he
| said.
How Polygamy is Justified.
| Mr. Smith took the book and read verse
| which declared that when the Ii rd wanted
! his seed propagated he would command IL.
/ This the witness declared, justifies polyo.
| amy when person is commanded by the
| Lord to enter that state. He said the com,
| mands come to individuals as revelations
| from the Lord.
| Senator Dubois asked number of Ques-
| tions in regard to the revelations received
| by Mr.. Smith, and Mr.. Van Cott, for the de-
i Tense, objected to the character Of the In
/ quiry. He proceeded to discuss the point at