The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-08

Mr.. Smith faced M. Taylor and In a
low but penetrating voice aid II
don't like to be impertinent. u !
should like o to ask any woman who
L. a wife"
At that point Mr.. Foraker and Mr..
Beveridge objected.
Resuming the inquiry concerning Mr..
Smiths personal polygamous relations
Mr.. Taylor asked:
How many children have you had
since the manifesto OF 1902"
Eleven since 1885," said Mr.. Smith.
Continuing he said: Each OF my five
wives has bone me children"
Since that timer" asked Mr.. Bur-
rows.
Since that time" the witness repeat
ed IN swe
Senator Overman-"Did Senator
Smoot ever advise you to persist in your
polygamous cohabitation?" +.
Mr.. Smith, think not. / have new
er so far as I remember. discussed my
private affairs with him"
Mr.. Smith was asked about the do
nestle relations OF the twelve apostles.
He said Charles Teasdale. John w.
Taylor. Herbert J. Grant, John II.
Smith. F. NJ. Llman and Apostles Mer-
rill and Cowley were reputed polygam-
lists.
When your deacons are sent out and
make converts in other lands do they
not present h rightfulness Of polyga-
my as a religious virtue?"
This question was put by Senator
Hoar and was answered in the mega
tive.
They neve discuss polygamy," Mr..
by attacks. They do not advocate poly
gamy in any way. Indeed the elders
are instructed not to advocate plural
marriages at all; it is a thing OF the
past"
After recess. Mr.. Taylor began an
inquiry concerning instructions given to
missionaries as to the teaching Of poly
gamy.
Mr.. Smith said the book called Ready
References" is used by missionaries.
This book. he said, contains a chapter
on polygamy declaring that practice TO
be divine. The marginal note on the
chapter on polygamy was given as
"poIygamy right. in h sight of o
Mr.. Smith added, however. that the
use of this book is almost entirely
abandoned by the Mormon elders doing
missionary work. The standard works
of the church, he said. were the books
taken with them.
Inquiry having been made by several
members Of the committee as to what
Mr.. Taylor expected to prove by certain
questioning. the latter said:
81 expect to prove that Mr.. Smoot
could not by any possibility put himself
up against his associates in his &C
TONS
mot even in his vote as United
States SENATOR" asked Mr.. Beveridge.
mo, not V e in his vote as a Sena-
tor" responded Mr.. Taylor.
Mr.. Taylor said Mr.. Smoot would be
bound to follow the direction of the
church, lot only in spiritual affairs but
also in temporal things. because under
the definitions of the church, it is I'M
possible to distinguish between the two.
He will have to obey or resign his apos-
tleship. A rule of the church was quot
ed in a release from duties OF certain
members Of the apostles or others in
high positions in order to perform otn-
er duties and Mr.. Taylor asked:
WAS it necessary for Mr.. Smoot to
get consent to run for SenatOr?'
He lax to get the consent of his as
socfate apostles and the first presi-
dency," said Mr.. Smith. "in order to go
before the legislature. He obtained
that consent"
Mr.. Taylor devoted considerable at
tention to a discussion of the Mormon
marriage ceremonies. 1t was brought
out that all of the high officials Of the
church and all Of the elders are author
lied to marry persons.
The celestial marriage. or the marri-
age fraternity was discussed and Mr..
Smith said it was one of the things
which the Mormon church believed in
but that the prejudice had been in dis
use for twenty years or more.
The committee adjourned until tomor-
row.