The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-03-04
ADMIT PRACTICE Of
POLYGAMy
Witnesses In SmOOt investi-
cation Discuss Mormon
ism Very Freely


become the interest in the investiga-
tlon of the protests against Reed Smoot
of Utah retaining his seat In the Unit
ed States senate that is was necessary
to post a policeman at the door of the
room of the committee on privileges
and elections where the hearings are
progressing.
All persons except those directly in
terested are kept out of the room,
though outside the door II was mpos-
sible almost To maintain a passage
way through the corridor of the capi-
toll
Just before the hearing was begun
today Mr.. Smoot received a telegram
from Provo. Utah, stating that his sis
ter, Mrs. George s. Taylor. is dead
as the result of an operation. He had
no previous knowledge of her illness.
and exhibited plainly the effect of the
sudden shock.
When the committee was called 10
order seven senators were present.
Chairman Burrows gave the ruling
on the questions asked of President
Joseph +. Smith, relating to the poly
gamous cohabitation of George +
Teasdale a Mormon apostle.
Objections to such questioning had
been made by the defendant.
The committee ruled that the testi
OF any members OF the twelve apostles,
of which Mr.. Smoot is one. is compe
tent so far as Ii relates to such poly
gamous cohabitation since September
26. 1890 the date OF President Wood
ruffs manifesto Withdrawing the or
der OF the church commanding plura
marriages.
Senator Beveridge stated that there
had been a misunderstanding as tc
whether Mr.. Smoot was being tried on
the charges Of polygamy and of hav
ing taken an oath as a United States
that these cha ges are not pending in
this investigation.
Senator Dubois dlssented from the
statement that there had been such a
misunderstanding and said the real
charge is that Mr.. Smoot is a member
of a Mormon dierafehy which sub
scribes to vows in conflict with tn,
laws OF the country and was bound to
support such VOWS.
For the first time In fifty years,
said Mr.. Dubois. the relations of thi
organization toward the United State
are TO be tried
Senator Pettus made protes
against the debate between members
OF the committee and Chairman Bur
rows discted Mr.. Taylor to proceed
Questions were then directed to ascer
tain Mr. Smiths knowledge of the po
lygamous marriages of Frank Cannon
and whether Mr.. Smith had performed
the service uniting Mr.. Cannon and
Lillian Hamlin.
Mr.. Taylor asked:
rs cohabitation with a plural wifi
contrary TO the rules of the church,
Mr.. Smith asked and received per-
mission TO make statement and thel
answer the question I'm his own way
lie spoke with great feeling and direct
ness, just the reverse OF his attitude
on the stand at yesterdays hearing,
saying:
I'm regard to the status of polygamS
at the time of the manifesto | want 10
say that aftes the hearing before the
master of chancery l understand that
we should abstain from relations with
our plural families and that rule was
observed up to the time the enabling
act went into effect admitting Utah
as state
Under that act the only prohibition
was that plural marriages should
cease.
Nothing was said about cohabita-
ton with our wives"
with the wives you had married
previous to the manifesto, you mean"
interrupted Mr.. Hoar.
"That Is what l mean," said Mr.
Smith
II understood that plural marriges
were to cease and ever since the man
ifesto until the present time there new
er has been a plural marriage in the
church performed in accordance with
its teachings or with the connivance
of the church. and" he added with
speak"
greater emphasis. II know whereof
Then i'm answer to the question
whether polygamous cohabitation was
regarded by the church as contrary TO
to the law he answered
1T was''
Continuing. he said;
'"This was the case and is the case
now. But l was placed in this posi-
tion," said Mr.. Smith. II had a fam
ily--a plural family, If you please
! married my first wife more than
thirtyeight years ago ard my last
wife more than twenty years ago. by
these wives I have had children ana
i have preferred to take my own