The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-04
SMITH CONFESSES
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church performed in accordance with It's teachings or with the connivance of the church." said he with greater emphasis:
 q know whereof I speak,"
 Then, in answer to the question wheth CT polygamous conabitation was regarded by the church as contrary to the law, he answered: 'It was.''
 Wouldn't Abandon Children.
 Continuing, he said: This was t.le case and Is the case now. But I was placed in this position" said Mir. Smith. 'I had family-a plural family, if you please. I married my first wife mcfe than thirty-eiCht years ago. and my last wife more than twenty years ago. By these wives I have had children, and I have preferred to take my own chances with the law"
 Mir. Smith resumed the stand when the committee convened at p. m. Mir. Taylor began an inquiry concerning in- structione given to missionaries as to the teaching of polygamy. MT Smith said the book called Ready References" is used by missionaries. This book, he said, contains a chapter on polygamy, declaring that practice to be divine. He said the book was an old one and that he had no knowledge of recent publi- cations.
 hlgnC In SlBnr or Goo.
 The marginal note on the chapter on polygamy was given as "Polygamy right in the sight of God" MT. Smith added. most entirely abandoned by the Nor mon elders doing missionary work. The standard works of the church, he said. were the books taken with them.
 In reply to questions from Chairman Burrows. Mir. Smith said he did not know whether the missionaries take with them copies of the manifesto of 1890 suspending polygamy as an order of the church.
 Mfr. Taylor asked how many wives MT. Smith had In 1890.
 Five" said Mir. Smith.
 He was questioned in regard to a wife named Levire, who was divorced from him and died many years before 1890
 MT. Smith protested that the questions were very embarrassing and trying to him.
 ''I dislike" he added. "to announce my private and personal affairs. I do 1t re- luctantly and solely because I am re-: quired to do so by this honorable com, mittee. This matter is going before the public and I don't want 1t to appear that l am 'spotter' or an 1nformer.' D,
 Despises a "Spotter."
 lie auueo' IT there Is anything l deS- pise it is an infamous 'spotter' and an 'informer' "
 MT. Worthington objected also. but no attention was paid to the protests. though MT. Taylor ceased asking the questions objected to- He asked. how ever. if Mir. Smith had not claimed in 1896 or 1897 that his wife Levira was not divorced and whether he did not claim part of her estate for that req. son.
 MT. Smith declined to answer the oues- tion In regard to the property but de nied that he had said she was not di vorced.
 MT. Taylor asked concerning Brlr. ham H. Robertss position as first presi- dent of "The Seventy" and asked if Roberts was not elected to that hich po- sition after he was elected to Congress.
 Mir. Smith said he could not remem- ber. .
 In answer to questions by Senator Du- bois. the witness said Mir. Roberts wal elected by the Seventy" and he had no knowledse that no objection hal been made to his retention in that high nos ition. Continuing. ne said. "I couId not consistently object to Mir. Roberts ' myself. and I don't know of any men, :. Der who could have done so better than I could" ''The Seventy"
 Then you place all of The Seventy