The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-03-04
REED SMOOT
PRESIDENT SMITH ON THE
STAND.
Of PLURAL MARRIAGES
He Makes an Official Ex-
pIanatiOn.

Washington, March 2.-When the
afternoon hearing began in the Reed
Smoot case, President Smith of the
Mormon church resumed the stand ufi-
der examination by Attorney Taylor.
Responding to questions he said that
the doctrine of plural marriages was
announced by Joseph Smith in 1843
and promulgated as doctrine by
Brigham Young in 1852. There were
a few who received the doctrine un-
der Smith and entered into it, but 1t
was not until Young's time that 1t
was practiced to any extent. Not un-
til 1862 was there any local law on
the subject of marriage. The church
held that this law was unconstitution-
al because 1t interfered with the prac.
tice of its religion. The question was
carried to the supreme court of the
United States and the law was upheld
as constitutional.
Did the church accept that decl-
sion of the supreme court of the Unit
ed States?" asked Attorney Taylor.
1T is so on record" replied Presi-
dent Smith.
did It," reiterated Taylor sharply.
Il think 1t did
Were there any plural marriages
solemnized by the church after the de-
cision of the supreme court in 1887"
persisted Mr.. Taylor.
II know of no plural marriages oc-
curing after that decision" was the
reply.
There was some litigation following
this decision but in 1880 following an
other decision of the supreme court,
President Woodruff issued q manifes-
to fully accepting on behalf of the
church the principle that no more
plural marriages should be celebrated
and teaching of polygamy was stop
ped.
-The revelation received by Presi-
dent Woodruff suspending the opera
ton of the law permitting plural mar
riages did not change your belief?"
asked Mr.. Taylor.
mo. We continue to believe that
plural marriages are right 1 do at
least speaking for myself" replied
President Smith.
Attorney Taylor then established
and covenants In its last editions,
still includes the original revelation
of President Smith which authorizes
plural marriages, without any note or
indication of any sort that a subse-
quent revelation had been published
in pamphlets and was universally
known and, like many other revela-
tions, it had not been considered nee
essary to put 1t in the book of doc
trines.
Which revelation do you believe
in now?" asked Chairman Burrows.
II believe that the principle of plu-
raj marriages is as correct today as 1t
was when first promulgated. If had
not believed it would not have mar
ried more than one wife. But l be-
lieve also in the second revelation.
While originally divine command,
yet the obligation to practice plural
marriage as q divine ordinance has
been modified We have submitted
ourselves to the civil laws"
Attorney Taylor then attempted to
show that Lillian Hamlin was a pll.
raj wife of Abraham H. Cannon, mar.
ried as late as 1856.
President Smith said that he had
met the lady at Los Angeles in 1896
as the wife of Cannon, but he did not
know when they were married and he
had never heard of her until that
time.
Attorney Taylor then began a Sc
ries of questions as to whether Geo.
Teasdel, another apostle of the
church, was polygamist.
Counsel Vancott for the defense,
interposed an objection on the ground
that this inquiry was irrelevant and
had no bearing as to the right of
Reed Smoot to his seat