The San Francisco call., 1904-12-20
SCHOOLS USED
BY The CHURCH
Glasses in Religion Held
in Utah After Regular
Work for the Day Is Over
APOSTLE TAKES STAND
He Says 1t Will Require a
Revelation to Put a Stop
to POlygamy Of MOrmOns


Committee on Privileges and Elections
to-day, in the Smoot investigation. de-
veloped, by the statements Of A @
Nelson, Superintendent OF Public IN
struction OF Utah, some facts concern
ing the use of school buildings for the
teaching Of the Mormon religion.
Apostle John Henry Smith was on ths
stand for two hours Other witnesses
were Isaac BirdsaH, a Mormon, who
said that his daughter was excom-
municated because she would not obey
a decision of a bishops court which
had deprived her of piece of property
to which she had the lawful title, and
William BalderstOn. editor Of the Boise
Idaho) Statesman. who testified in re-
gard to the political affairs in his State.
Chairman Burrows drew from
Apostle Smith some statistics relating
to the church, but no register OF the
total membership. In regard TO colon
izatiOn, Apostle Smith said there is a
large settlement in Mexico and that
one-third of the population Of Idaho
and one-fourth of the population Of
Wyoming are Mormons. Other States
and Territories having large settle
ments are Nevada, California, Arizona,
Colorado and New York, while Iowa
has a large settlement Of the reorgan-
lied Church of Latter Day Saints,
which drew away from the other
church because it did not believe in
polygamy.
REVELATION NECESSARY.
Apostle Smith said that the suspen-
sion Of the practice Of pOlygamy was
the result of a revelation and that It
would take another revelation to put
it in force
Then the president Of the church
might put polygamy In practice by re-
ceiving revelation?'
mot unless the people should receive
IT. Nothing is forced on the Mormon
people," he replied
At the afternoon session Isaac Bird
sail. formerly a Mormon, said he sew
cred his connection with the Mormon
church at the time his daughter was
offered rebaptism If she would convey
her property to one Leavitt, but could
not give the date.
William Bulge Of Paris, Idaho, was
recalled by counsel for Smoot. He
said that as a bishop OF the Mormon
church he has not entertained a case
involving the title OF land for the rea-
son that presidents of the church have
given Instructions that bishops and
presidents Of stakes could not hear
such cases.
MEMBERS FROM EUROPE.
Apostle Smith was recalled and ques-
toned by Chairman Burrows concern
ing the immigration from foreign coun-
tries. He had testified that from one
third to one-half OF the converts to the
church came from Europe. The emf
grants, he said, are usually placed in
charge Of an experienced man and
brought over on steamships with which
the foreign missionaries do business.
There are about four sailings a year,
he said
To Tayler he said he was present at
the meeting at which Penrose was
elected an apostle. The fact that Mr.
PenrOse was a DOlygamist was not
mentioned or thought of. and he added.
That question does not enter into the
election. 1t is settled in our country
that the people must obey the laws Of
the land"
DO yOu?" said TayIer.
We'll, I try"
But you have not succeeded very
well?" asked Chairman Burrows.
well. not so far"
Apostle Smith was then discharged
and William Balderston editor of the
Boise QdahO) Statesman and formerly
connected with the Salt Lake Times,
testified in regard TO political cOndi-
tions in Utah about the time OF the is
suance of the Woodruff manifesto and
in Idaho after 1891
the Attorney General of Idaho is re-
puted to have taken a plural wife with
in the last two or three years.
RELIGION N SCHOOLS.
A. C. Nelson of Salt Lake. State su-
perintendent of Public Instruction and
Mormon. was sworn. He is now max
ing an investigation of the extent in
which classes in religion are main
tanned in the schools. Answers have
been received, he said, from all the
County Superintendents except three.
Glasses are held in about 300 buildings.
These classes are assembled after the
adjournment of the regular school day.
which varies from 2:30 to O'Clock I'm
the afternoon.
Nelson read a letter which he had
sent to all school superintendents call
ing attention to a statute prohibiting
sectarian teachings in the public
schools. So far as he had information.
Nelson said, the school teachers usual
Iy taught the classes in religion.
On cross-examination Nelson was
asked if Senator Smoot had been ad-
vised of matters relating to religion
classes.
We'll" answered the witness. 'Ifre-
member meeting Senator Smoot and
telling him was about TO begin my in
vestigatiOn. and that believed the use
of the school buildings for religious
purposes was contrary to law, and he
said. Good, I am glad to hear it.''
rs that intended to be Senator
Smoots answer on the witness stand?''
asked Tayler.
1T is we'll enough in an investigation
in which he is the subject to have Sen
ator Shoots name mentioned at least