Evening star., 1904-03-12
THE CHURCH'S POWER
Cross-Examination of Attor-
ney Critchlow.
s u PORTED SMOOT
EXPLAINS HIS ATTITUDE IN
POLITICS.
Hearing Before the Senate Privileges
and Elections Committee
This Morning.

Absence of quorum caused delay until
II 80 today in calling to order the Senate
committee on privileges and elections which
is investigating the protest against Senator
Reed Smoot retaining his seat. E. B. Critch-
low, formerly an assistant United States at
tcrney in Utah, again took the stand and
his, cross-examination was continued by
Waldemar Van Cott. one of the attorneys
for the defense.
Sentiment against Mr. Smoot was the
subject of inquiry by Mr.. Van Cott, who
asked specifically If wave of antagonism
to the Mormon senator was not created by
the Lei1ch charges that Mr.. Snoot was a
pclygamist Mr.. Critchlow thought that
had not been the effect. though there had
been much surprise that this charge was
made in the face of the statement in the
general protest that Mr.. Smoot was not
charged with polygamy.
Little interest taken in the cross
examination, and only two members of the
committee remained in their Sc ats for the
greater part of the forenoon hearing.
The cross-examinaton was confined al
most entirely to bringing out Mr.. Critch-
lows views on the acts of others and the
thoughts of others. After this procedure
had continued for nearly an hour Senator
McCOmas objected, and called attention to
the fact that the character of the testf-
mony could not influence the committee in
any manner
Supported Smoot on the Stump.
Mr.. Van Cott then addressed the commit
tee directly in regard 10 the candidacy Of
Reed Smoot, and drew from the witness
the fact that Mr. Smoot had announced
himself as a candidate for the Senate be-
fore 1902
Didn't he announce himself as early as
1893 and receive votes in the legislatureg'
Il believe he did. He received votes and
did l. The minority only had three
votes and they We're passed around as q
compliment. MIR. Critchlow's attention was
called to the nominations for members of
the legislature and the fact that he par
tcipated In the convention and had moved
TO. make certain nominations una nimous.
did move to make them unanimous"
said the witness. "We-that is, our candi-
dates-were defeated, and / made the mo-
ton as matter of courtesy
Didn't you know that it meant Reed
Smoot for senator?
Yes, sir ''a.s
Did you go on the stump that fall In sup
port of the republican ficket?''
Mr. Critchlow, when his attention was
called to the fact, said he believed he had
made speech at Springville.
Why He Opposes Smoot
The witness was questioned in regard. to
the sentiment for against Reed Smoot
for senator. and said that so far as he was
concerned. he had objection to Smoot
personally, but opposed him on the ground
that he was a general authority of the
church. He admitted that at the time he
had moved to make unanimous the nomi-
nations of certain persons for members Of
the legislature that ii was generally known
that Mr. Smoot was to be made apostle
To ascertain the difference between the
influence exercised by the Mormon Church
over lay members and general authorities
was the object of inquiry by Senators Hop
kins and McComas. and the answers of the
witness indicated that the machinery Of
the church was so adjusted that either
might be compelled to obey the behests OF
the church and that the wishes of the high
authorities might be enforced by the 'ro-