The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-09
Prssidsnt Smith ldmits That He Has
Five Wives, and That lie Fully
REALIZED That. He Was Break
ing the Law.
CREATES SENSATION IN CONGRESS.
1T is Now Up TO law Officers of
Utah 10 Prosecute the
Prophet.

washington. March 2.-An effort to
air the innermostsecrets OF the Mormon
faith was manifested in the hrst days
proceedings before the Senate COM
mittee on privileges and elections, In
an Investigation of the protests against
Reed Smoot retaining his seas as q
Senator from Utah. President Joseph
F. Smith, the highest official OF the
Church, was on the stand all day.
he was questioned closely in regard to
the principles of divine relations. He
said he adhered absolutely to all the
teachings of the Church in that re-
gard. and that he himself had been
z visited with divine inspirations from
God. He also said that he still be-
lieyed in polygamy. The testimony
was directed IN slight degree only at
Senator Smoot, and no attempt was
made by the defence to cursail the ad-
mission Of testimony, until resident
Smith was questioned in relation to
polyoamous cohabitation Of certain
officials Of the Church before the man
ifesso Of 1896. The attorneys then OBJ
iected and much time was devoted to
TIE relevancy OF such testimony. The
committee went into executive session
and. after full discussion, determln-
ed 10 allow the almost latitude TO the
hearings, which mean that Court prac-
tees will be avoided, and thus the
first victory was scored for the pro-
testants. The committee will hear
practically all the prosecution has to
offer and determine for itself what is
ompetent testimony. The colml1tee
VIII hold daily sessions.
Washington, March 3.-Attorneys
for the protestants in the Smoot IN.
restigation today stated they intended
to prove that the defendant is assocl-
ased with hierarchy which practices
polyeamy and conniyes at violations OF
the Law and that his vote as senator
OF the United States is subject to the
wish and command Of the Mormon
church. President Joseph F. Smih
confessed that he himself had con.
sinusd to cohabit with his plural
family since the manifesto of 1890 and
chat he realized fully that he was
violating State laws President Smith
also testified that Reed Smoot had to
oct the consentof his associate apostles
In the church before ne could become
q, candidate for senator.
The confession of President Smith
gas the sensation OF the proceedings
today before the senate committee on
privileges and elections. Mr.. Tayler
s OF counsel for the protestsnts was
directing his questions to ascertain
how the church regarded polygamous
conal,itatien. MIR. Smith said it was
realized that such cohab;tation was
contrary to the law and he went
further to say that the manifesto had
s left him and others with plural fami-
! les in the unfortunate situation OF
being compelled to defy the law or de-
sert their families. For himself, be
said. he had preferred to take
chances with che law rather than to
disgrace himself and degrade his
family by abandoning his wives and
the children they bad borne him.
He admitted that he had had children
by all of his Eve wives since the mani
festo and said he had acknowledged
then openly without interference or
disturbance from the people Of Utah,
whom he characterized as liberal and
broadminded. The defense will take
the witness tomorrow.
President Smiths statement was
brought out by Mr.. Tayler's question
q Is cohabitation with a plural wife
contrary to the rules of the churchs"
Mr.. Smith spoke with great feeling
and directness, saying:
In regard to the status of polygamy
as the time of the manifesto I want tc
say that after the hearing before the
master of chancery understood that
we should abstain from relations With
our plural families aud that rule was
observed up to the time the enabling
act went into effect amdittiug Utah as
a State. Under that act the only
prohibition 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.
ssThat is what I mean," said Mr..
Smith. 81 understood that plural
marriages were to cease and ever since
the manifesto until the present tins
there never has been a plural marriage
in the church performed in accordance
with it's teachings or with the con
&c +bo oh1rch and he added