The San Francisco call., 1904-12-13

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12-Three wit
,esses were heard to-day in the case
Z Senator Reed Smoot before the Sen
te Committee on Privileges and Elec-
ions. Ths FIRST witness was Rev J.
L Buckley. editor of the Christian
advocate II New York, who told of a
,rorrnon meeting he attended in Salt
axe last summer, in which President
oseph +. Smith declared he would not
i've up his plural wives. George Rey-
.olds a hieh official Of the church.
.estifcd in regard 10 the ceremonies
that have taken place in the Endow-
ment House and concerning eccleslas-
tical divorces granted by the church.
and John Henry Hamiin told Of the
plural marriage Of his sister. Lillian,
toAApostle Abram Cannon, which cere-
mony he said he understood 10 have
been performed by President Smith
since the manifesto OF 1890.
DR.. Buckley told of visits to Utah
IN 1901. and again last June. At that
time he attended a 5oint convention OF
The Young Mems and Young Women's
unions Of Mormonism. Those who
spoke were Brigham II. Roberts, FL
mira : TaElOr and President Smith,
Dr. Buckley read from an article he
had writtea concerning the convention
end quoted from the speech Of Presi-
dent Smith on the subject Of marriage
The witness said that fer ten or fir
teen minutes President Smith had
talked Of the responsibilities Of mar
riage and how the contract was re-
garded by many persons.
LOYAL TO HIS WIVES.
Then" said DR.. Buckley, President
Smith drew himself UP TO his full
height and spoke on the subject of di-
vorce. he said that the mothers of
his children had been given him by
God ard were saints Of God. He de
plored the mOther-in-law jokes, and
said that his own mothers-in-law were
the best friends he ever had; that they
were true women worthy of their
daughters"
Dr Buckley read from another ar
ticie on this meeting which said that
President Smiths voice rang out "as
strong as William J. Bryan's" as he
defended the Mormon marriage. Pres
idert Smith was quoted by the wit
ness as saying that he could not give
up any Of his wives-that il meant
eternal damnation to abandon a multi
plicity Of wives
Dr Buckley said he had made in
Quiry concerning Senator Smoot. and
he had found 10 one who said one
word against him. Everywhere, the
witness said, Senator SmOOt was given
an excellent character
MARRIAGES WITH THE DEAD.
George Reynolds, a Mormon living
in salt Lake, testified that he was the
first assistant superintendent of the
Mormon church Sunday-sehool and
secretary Of the missionary committee
Of the apostles and formerly clerk. or
recorder. Of the Endowment House.
This relation was severed in about 1871.
The Endowment House was torn down
in 1890, but the Temple is now used for
the same purpose. Reynolds told the
committee that he has given certii-
Gates OF marriage since he ceased TO
be recorder Of the Endowment House.
in cases where widows sought to OBJ
tain pensions. He made the certificates
from records in his possession. but
these records. he said. had since been
removed TO the Temple and he had
no access TO them now.
In answer 10 questions by Senator
Overman. Reynolds said marriages
We're performed with dead persons in
the Endowment House. TayIer then
asked If divorces were granted in the
Endowment House
he church grants divorces to those
who have been married for time and
eternity, but does not divorce legal
marriages until the courts have acted"
SAID Reynolds. Plural marriages are
not recognized by courts. and therefore
the church does not consult the courts
In granting divorces in cases of such
marriages"
Senator Foraker asked if such di-
Vorces are granted from dead persons.
In few instances only. 1 should
say" said the witness.
For something done after death or
before the Senator asked.
In life time"
rs the dead person given an oppor-
tunity TO be heard?' the Senator asked.
NO, sir: il is becauseO such cases
are held TO be unjust to the dead ac-
cused, so that few divorces Of this kind
are granted said the witness.
rs any one appointed to defend the
accused? p"
Never; but the complainant is given
a hearing if satisfactory evidence is
supplied TO the church"
WITNESS A POLYGAMIST.
Reynolds testified that the president
OF the church always had the authority
TO issue ecclesiastical divorce
Tayler showed the witness a contract