New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-22
A MISUNDERSTANDING
"A. M. CANNON,S SIX WIVES.
Protected by Statute Of Limitations
-Reticent Regarding Oath.

yvOrlc. The testimony OF a personal character,
oeRling with the conviction OF the witness
charges OF polygamous cohabitation, and was
dragged from him under protest that he be pro
xected from any peril or liability to prosecution for
what DE revealed When assured that his plural
marriages under the statute OF limitations. could
not be used as evidence against him. he answered
most OF the questions asked. The same frank
not apparent however. when the witness
was pressed 10 reveal tire nature OF the oath he
had taken in the Endowment House. Like other
witnesses. he declared the sacredness OF that
oath prevented him from procaiming il 10 the
world. His testimony no less sensational than
that given hy President Smith early IN the invesu
cation. lie answered all questions OF personal
character. but every admission made reluctant
~, ana replies 20 questions in regard 10 his nu-
merOUs marriages were near mouosyll bic 5 IL
was possible make them.
Brigham ii. Roberts was recalled by the defence
when the committee resumed its Investigation.
Mr.. Van Cou drew from the witness review OF
the elections OF Utah show that the Democratic
successes OF the State were due the silver
craze and that the Mormon Church had not main
SRined vacillatirg policy between the political
psrties. as had been inferred from the testimony
given by Mr. Roberts yesterday.
Calvin Cobb, publisher Of The Boise States
man." examined IN regard TO polygamy
idaho and the influence OF Mormons on the politics
OF the State. he said there is statute against
poyganous cohabitation, though several unsuc-
oessful efforts had been made 10 enact such
statute. All OF these measures he said, had died
fn the legislature. which is about one-third Nor
mon. In regard the Mormon influence in the
State MI Cobb said that the chairmen OF the
State organizations OF both parties went Salt
Lake City before each campaign and both returned
snd said that everything had been fixed ali right
JIe said that after the election the other
usually felt that things had not been All right"
Mr. Cobb related the efforts before the legislature
have called q constitutional convention 10 enact
sn amendment repeal the Idaho against
MorTnonism. The resolution defeated several
nd aTv TOl1 Gruft Wis
tied Boise and after the resolution was
adopted
Counsel for the prosecution examined Mr.. Cobb
in relation 20 the influence Mormons are alleged
have attempted 10 bring bear Tor the re
sentiOn OF Senator SmoOt. This shown said
Mr.. Cobb. by a delegation OF the Idaho Legisiat-
rre, which called upon ". Z. Borah. candidate
for the Senate. and asked him what would be his
attitude as United States Senator II the case Of
Senator Srnoot should come u. Counsel for the
defence opposed the Introduction OF this testimony
on the ground that what Mr.. Bo-ah told Mr.. Cobb
was incompetent Mr.. Tayler explained that he
wanted TO show that Mr.. Borah declined 70 com
NIT himself in regard to Mr.. smOot. and on that
account not elected TO the Senate.
Al the afternoon session Angus N Cannon was
called 10 the stand. He said he had lived in Salt
Lake since 1919 but had been blessed in the Nor
mon Church when he five years old. He is
seventy years old and holds the position OF
Patriarch IN tne Mormon Church, having been
designated for that position by President Joseph
r..
witness said. rank next the twelve apostles in
dignity. Mr. Cannon said thar FOR twenty-eight
years he had been President OF the salt Lake
-stake" OF Zion
CANNON MAKES EXPLANATION.
The sensation Of the hearing occurred when Mr..
sTaylor examined Mr.. Cannon IN regard TO his
various marriages Mr.. Tayler asked the witness
when he was first married and he answered 'On
July IS ISIS"
TO whom2"
sarah Maria Mousley"
who next?"
Mr. Cannon stood up and his voice shook with |
emotion he said: 4 beg opportunity 10 eK- .
plain and to ask question OF the chairman be 4
sore proceed. Nineteen years ago I was brought 4
snto great trouble. ! was prosecuted and sent 4
20 prison because I Acknowledged the mothers OF /
my children as my families. I given the op- 4
portunty OF Deserving my families or going 10
prison-and I went prison.
y was prison for eight months and i
served six months when the Supreme Court took 4
up my and was released. While was in /
prison 1 said 10 my associates who called see 4
You could not come here In honor; I could /
not stay out in honor
For a long time I have lived within the law I
as far as II was possible 10 DO In the face OF
obligations to my families have not paraded 4
rny families. but fl honest pride have nourished |
them.
The press OF the country has car1cstured /
president Smith for the testimony he gave in re- 1
gard 20 plural families. and ~ 1 am asked TO make
similar exhibitions Of my family ! appeal for 4
protection from any consequences that may be |
the result OF the testimony. ! Will answer all /
questions In regard TO myself or the Church II /
am assured that I VIII not be placed IN peril 4
by OF the testimony"
Mr. Cannon sat down quivering with 81 sup
pressed emotion and Mr.. Worthingtcn asked: |
ar. Cannon have you any counsel?'
no sir"
AFr Vyorthins+on submitted to the chairman that
she witness should be Informed his rights and
az to his liability should he answer questions which
might incrminate him.
Mr. Burrows thought the witness protected 1
by the Revised Statutes. but Mr.. worthngton said
prosecute the taking the records OF the
hearings and thus learning where was to be found 4
the necessary evidence for conviction.
Chairman Burrows raiu the witness ct liberty 1
20 decline 70 answer any questions he chose. but /
Nr Worthington insisted that the refusal must be |
based on the ground that the witness feared to in
eliminate himself
Mr. Tayler observed that he cid not desire answers
30 any questions which related TO marriages that
not fully exempted from prosecution under the
statute OF limitations. and that statement the |
chairman directed that the question concerning the
second marriage OF Mr. Cannon should be answered.
The Official reporter then read the question:
TO whom were you next marTied?'
Anna Amanda Mousley."
when were you married to herr" asked Mr. Tay-
AT the same hour that I was married TO Sarah
by the same ceremony"
TO whom we're you next married."
Mr.. Cannon again inquired OF the chairman II he 4
answer and Mr.. Burrows replied: THAT Is ,
Tor you 10 answer or e decline TO answer. Other
the question Is a proper one"
Mr. Cannon then answered Mrs Clara c. /
Martha Hughes in 1854. Maria Bannon IN 1856
been married since that time All his wives we're
living.