Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-02

Joseph F. Smith.
| Senate. While the case of Representative
| Roberts of Utah was investigated in the
| House of Representatives and some of the
principles that will apply in this case were
| involved in his unseating, so becoming a
| precedent for the guidance of the House,
! yet it is generally believed that the deter
minatfon of the S.noot case win be still
more thorough and will result in fixing the
status of Mormons elected to the Senate for
all time.
No Charge Of Polygamy.
1t is not generally believed that any
charge of polygamy against Senator Smoot
will have any standing before the commit
tee, as it is understood that has not been
presented formally by the protestants
But it is to be determined whether the
Senate will undertake to go back of the
oath given by senator to support the
Constitution and to learn whether there is
any other obligation ne has taken that
would be above that oath in its binding
power over his actions. Just what power
the Mormon church holds over its members
VIII DE brought out so far as possible.
Two Leading Mormons.
In the committee room this morning were
two men who hold leading positions in the
church. One was President Joseph F.
Smith, who is related to have found the
Book of Mormon on which the Mormon
Church is founded. Mr. Smith was accom-
panied by F. s. Richardson. his counsel
The other was f. M. Lyman. president OF
the twelve apostles.
Just what power these officials of the
church possess over its people is one of the
things it is expected to develop by the tes-
timony.
Senator Smoot was present with two of
his counsel, Waldemar Van Gott OF Utah.
a Gentle. and A. s. Worthington of this
city.
The protestants were represented by
John G. Carlisle and r. w. Taylor. with
A. B. Critchlow and c. NJ Owen, both of
Salt Lake, in an advisory capacity.
President Smith was the first witness
called by the proteStants. 1t is expected
he will be on the stand for a couple of
days.
President Smith
President Smith has the appearance of a
plain man of business, very reserved and
quiet in his demeanor There was nothing
in his appearance or manner to suggest
his position as the head of great organi-
zation which affects the destinies OF Nor
mons scattered in alf dozen states and
territories. He was dignified, self-possess-
ed. giving his replies to questions asked
him by counsel very quietly, evidently
with the idea that il would be rather bet
ter to say too little than too much
President Smith attired in black
frock suit with a miniature of his father,
Hiram Smith, the brother of Joseph Smith,
on the lapel of his coat similar to the pop
ular form of campaign buttons bearing
the features of candidates for office The
button is one that has been distributed
among members of the Smith family at
their family reunions.
The first testimony brought out related
to the many corporations and associations
of Utah of which Mr.. Smith is the presi-
dent.
Powers as a Prophet.
He was questioned about mis- powers az
prophet. seer and revelator. Asked
whether he possessed the same powers and
authority as Joseph Smith. Brigham Young
and other presidents of the church. he
replied hesitatingly:
II think, believe. l do
Further questions along the same 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 samo
powers prophets, SeerS and revelators-
He was asked to name his predecessors as
president of the church. and gave them in
order back to the first president Joseph
Smith. ir. The witness said he sustains
the same powers as his predecessors.
Questions directed to ascertain the busi-
ness occupations of Mr.. Smith in addition
to the presidency of the church brought
out the following list of concerns of which
he is president: Zion Cooperative and Mer-
camille Company. with capital stock OF
more than one million dollars: State Bank
of Utah. lions Savings Bank. Utah Sugar
Company, Consolidated Wagon and Ma
chine Company, Utah Light and Railway
Company, Salt Lake and Los Angeles Rail-
way Company, Salt Air Beach Company
and Salt Lake Knitting Company 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 Pacific railway. editor of the
Improvement Era and Juvenile Instructof