Perth Amboy evening news., 1904-03-03
MORMONISM PROBED1
Head Of Church Before SEN
ate Committee.
SHALL SMOOT RETAIN HIS SEAT?
Never Before Has There Been an In
quiry Into Religious Creeds to
Determine If Unlawful Infu-
ence Is Exerted by Them.

WASHINGTON, March 3.-An effort
to air the innermost secrets of the Nor
mon faith was manifested in the first
days proceedings before the senate
committee on privileges and elections,
which Is investigating the protests
against Reed Smoot retaining his seat
as senator from Utah.
The investigation is to decide wheth-
err Reed Smoot of Utah is to retain his
seat in the senate and incidentally to
define the political status of the Nor
nor church. Never before has there
been inaugurated an inquiry into creeds
or political factors to determine wheth-
err an unlawful influence is exerted in
political affairs of the nation.
At the opening session it was conced-
ed that hearings would extend over
several weeks and that legal talent
would fight every inch Of the way. In
terest increased with the announce
ment that Joseph +. Smith, president
of the Mormon church, would be the
first witness called and in all proba-
bility would occupy the attention of the
committee for two or three days.
When President Smith, the highest
official of the church, took the stand he
was questioned closely in regard to the
principles Of divine revelations. He
said he adhered absolutely to all the
| teachings of the church in that regard
| and that he himself had been visited
| with divine inspirations from God di-
| recting him as to details in matters
| pertaining to the welfare of the church,
| though no angels had come to him, as
in the case of the revelation to his I'M
| Gle, Joseph Smith, Jr., the n OF
| the church. He subscribed to the
| standard of authority for the church in
relation to the revelation commanding
polygamy as made known to the first
president in a visit from "an angel in
| black" He also said that he still be-
lieved in polygamy. The testimony
was directed in a slight degree only at
Senator Smoot, and no attempt was
made by the defense to curtail the adj
mission of testimony until President
Smith was questioned in relation to
polygamous cohabitation of certain Off
Gals of the church before the mani
festo of 1890. The attorneys then OBJ
jected, and much time was devoted to
the relevancy of such testimony.
MI. Tayler asked Mr.. Smith a num-
Der of questions relating to Abraham
II. Cannon and others of f." 1'ormol
, faith in order to bring out the witness
knowledge of the question Watcher OIL
not they were polygamists and wheth'
er they had married since the mani
festo of 1890.
Mr.. Tayler said he was pursuing the
line of inquiry set out in the protest
against Mr.. Smoot to the effect that the
president of the Mormon church and
majority of the twelve apostles were
practicing polygamy. He referred t.
Mr.. Smith as the daily associate ant
superior in the church of Mr.. SmOof
and said that Mr.. Smith is the hus
band of five wives and believes still il
the principles of polygamy. b
do you expect to prove in that con
nection that the president and the
twelve apostles form a propaganda Of
polygamy?' asked Mr.. Beveridge.
I'VE do" said Mr.. Tayler.
The committee went into executive
session and after a full discussion de
termined to allow the utmost latitude
to the hearings, which means tina
court practices will be avoided. Thu
professionals said they regarded this as
victory for them. The committee will
hear practically all the prosecution ha
to offer and determine for itself wha
is competent testimony. The commit
tee will hold daily sessions.