The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-02
CHURCH ON TRIAL
Reed SmOOt Investigation Be-
gins in Washington.
Really fha Mnrmnn nrraniza.
Really the Mormon Organiza-
tion Is Arraigned.
CHIEF OF THE SAINTS.
President Joseph Smith First
Witness Called.
Proceedings Expected to Last
Number of Weeks.

Washington, March 2-The inyestf-
cation which is to decide whether Reed
Smoot of Utah is to retain his seat in
the United States senate and inciden-
tally define the political status of the
Mormon church. was formally begun
today before the senate committee on
privileges and elections
Great interest attached to the hear
ings because of the dual purpose of the
! inquiry. Other Investigations have been
directed at the rights of certain con-
testantS to seats in congress, but never
before has there been inaugurated an
! Inquiry into creeds or political factors
to determine whether an unlawful in
fiuence is being exercised in the poIiti-
cal affairs of the United States nation
Such is the nature of the Smoot in
quiry and at the opening session to-
day it was conceded the hearings
would extend over several weeks and
precipitate a contest in which the no
ted legal talent will fight every inch of
the way.
Interest increased with the announce
ment that Joseph F. Smith, president
OF the Mormon church would be the
nrSt witness and in all probability oc-
cupy the attention of the committee for
! two or three days. The attorneys for
p
! city and Waldemar Van Cott of Salt
| Lake, arrived early and engaged in
| consultation with their client. J. e.
carlisle, former secretary of the treas
ury, and r. w. Tayler, former repre-
sentative in congress and the attorney
who prosecuted the successful contest
against Brigham Roberts refining his
seat in congress. on the ground of his
violating the anti-pplygamy law are
the counsel for the protestants. Half
a dozen witnesses, nearly all of them
officials of the Mormon church, oecu-
pied seats in the rear of the large COM
mittee room. Quite a number of ladies
We're in attendance and watched the
/ proceedings with interest.
Chairman Burrows, after ascertaining
! by roll call that quorum of the conf
mittee was present, directed Mr.. Tayler
to proceed with the case. Mr.. TayIer
| inquired the number of witnesses pres
ent and Mr.. Burrows read the follow
| ing list of those on whom summons
had been served: Mabel Park Kennedy,
Amos Charles Matthews, Ogden, Hiies
Andrew Jensen, John Smith, Hirman
M. Smith, Thomas Merrill, Charles E.
Merrill. Alma Merrill, Lorin Harmon,
Moses Thatcher, n. w. Merrill. Joseph
f. Smith and Francis NJ. Lyman.
Mr.. Tayler announced his readiness to
proceed and asked that President
Joseph F. Smith be sworn. After that
had been done. Franklin S. Richards,
a Salt Lake attorney, stated that he
was present as an adviser Of the wit
nesses in the event any improper ques-
! tions were asked.
The first question asked brought out
that Mr.. Smith is president of the
church and was born in Missouri in
! 1888 and went to Utah in 184S and al
ways has been in the church.
Mr.. Tayler asked Mr.. Smith if he was
a prophet, seer and reVelator.
The witness said he was 80 sus-
| tained.'
/ o1O
line brought out the statement that
he received his powers by reason of
the position he holds in the church,
He said the apostles of the church
were ''Sustained' in the same powers
as prophets, seers and revelators. He
was asked to name his predecessors as
president of the church and he gave
them in order back to the first presi-
dent, Joseph Smith. The witness said
| he sustains the same power as his pre-
decessors- Questions directed to aseer-
tain the business occupations of Mr..
Smith in addition to the presidency of
the church, brought out the following
list of concerns of which he is preSi-
dent:
Zion Cooperative and Mercantile
company, with a capital stock of more
than one million dollars; State Bank of
| Utah, Zion Savings bank, ,UtahSugar COM
pany, Consolidated Wagon and Ma
chine company, Utah Light &5 Railway
company, Salt Lake and Los Angeles
Railroad company, Salt Air Beach
company and Salt Lake Knitting COM
pany. He said he was president of a
number of other small concerns, the
names of which he could not recall and
that he is a director of the Union Pa
cif1c Railroad company, editor of the
Improvementer and Juvenile Instructor
and director or official of a number
of mining companies. A list of the first
presidency or twelve apostles govern
ting the church was read by Mr.. Tayler
and identified by Mr.. Smith. This list
included the name of Reed Smoot.
Mr.. Smith explained that the frs
presidency is the president of the
church and two high priests or council
lors and that the twelve apostles are
next in authority. The presidents are
elected by the council and the apostles
he said, but he believed and it is taught
that the presidents are really choser
by divine revelation and they are theI
endowed with the authority of the holy
priesthood by authority direct from God
He said the apostles might elect to theil
number in the event of vacancy bu
that they would not go contrary to th'
wish of the first presidency Through
the testimony Mr.. Smith used such ex
pressions as Il think" II suppose anC
Il believe these expressions proved un
satisfactory to members of the commit
tee and Senator HOar said he wanted tt
understand whether Mr.. Smiths form
of speech implied doubt or whether i
was simply an unfortunate mode o
speech Mr.. Smith said he used ex
pressions which were not positive wheI
he referred to matters from memory
but that in all matters of the church o
revelations and the powers of tn,
. church he was certain and did not wan
to be misunderstood.
In relation to revelations the wit
ness said the church holds that an.
elder may receive a revelation for hi
own guidance.
Then Mr.. Smoot may receive such
revelation direct from God?' said Mr.
| Gayler.
For his own guidance, yes" was tn,