The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-04

with the knowledge or approval of the
church"
He was asked by Mr.. Taylor about Ma
rion Scoles Teasdale deceased, who. it
was stated, had never met Mr. Teasdale
until 1893. Mr. Smith replied that he had
not known the lady, but that he had
understood that Mr.. Teasdale had not
known when he married her that he had
another wife
When your deacons are sent out and
make converts in other lands. do they
not present the rightfulness OF polygamy
as religious virtue?''
This question was put by Senator Hoar.
and was answered in the negative.
They never discuss polygamy," Mr..
Smith said. unless compelled TO do so TO
meet attacks. They do not advocate
polygamy in any way. Indeed the elders
are instructed not to advocate plural mar
riages at all; it is a thing of the past"
Mr.. Taylor then inquired concerning in
structions given to missionaries as to the
teaching of polygamy-
Mr. Smith said the book called Ready
References is used by missionaries. This
book, ne said, contains CHAPTER on
polygamy declaring that practice to gbe
divine. lie said the book was an old
one-and that he had no knowledge of
recent publications. The marginal note
on the chapter on polygamy was:
"Polygamy Right in the Sight of God"
Mr.. Smith added. however. that the use
of this book is almost entirely abandon
ed by the Mormon elders doing mission
airy work The standard works of the
church. he said. were the books taken
with them. In reply to questions from
Chairman Burrows. Mr.. Smith said he
did not know whether or not the mis-
sionaries take with them copies of the
manifesto of 1890. suspending ''polygamy
as an order of the church"
Mr.. TAYLOR asked how many wives Mr..
Smith had in 1890
Five" said Mr.. Smith.
He was questioned in regard to wife
named Levira. who was divorced from
him and died many years before 1890
Mr.. Smith protested that the questions
were very embarrassing and trying to
him. Il dislike" he said. Ito announce
my private and personal affairs. l do
it reluctantly and solely because l am
required to do so by this honorable com
nittee This matter is going before the
public, and | don't want it to appear
that / am a 'spotter''l or an ''informer."
He added: IF there is anything l de-
spise it is an infamous spotter' and in
former
Mr. Worthington objected also. but no
attention was paid to the protests though
Mr.. Taylor ceased the questions objected
to- He asked. however. if Mr.. Smith had
not claimed in 1896 or 1897 that his wife.
Levira. was not divorced and whether
he did not claim a part of her estate for
that reason.
Mr. Smith declined to answer the ques-
ton in regard to the property, but de-
vorced.
Mr. Taylor asked concerning Brigham
II. Roberts position as first president Of
the Seventy and asked if Roberts was
not elected to that high position after
he was elected to congress.
Mr. Smith said he could not remember.
In answer to questions by Senator Du-
bois. the witness said Mr.. Roberts was
elected by THE Seventy" and he had
no knowledge that any objection had
been made to his retention in that high
position Continuing, he said: i could
not consistently object to Mr.. Roberts
myself. and l do not know of any MEM
Der that could
Then. you place all of "The Seventy"
in the same category with yourself?'