The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-03-03
SMOOT |NvEsT|GA-
TION BEGINS
Stated fmphatically That lie
Believed in the Practice
of Polygamy

cation which Is to decide whether Reed
Smoot OF Utah is TO retain his seat In
the q. S. senate and incidentally de-
t1ne the political status of the Mormon
church was fol maily begun today be-
fore the senate committee on priv
ileges and elections
Great interest attaches to the hear
ings because of the dual purpose of the
inquiry. Otner Investigations have been
directed at the rights of certain con-
testants to seats IN congress, but new
er. before has there been inauguiated
an inquiry to creeds or political fact
ors to determine whether an unlawful
influenced $ being exerted in the politi-
cal affairs of the nation.
Such is the nature of the Smoot in
qulry and at the opeiing session today
1t was conceded the hearings would
extend over several weeks and precipi-
tate q contest in which the noted legal
talent will fight every inch of the way.
Interest increased with the announce
ment that Joseph f. Smith, President
of the Mormon church, would be the
first witness and. in all probability,
occupy the attention of the committee
for twc or three days.
The attorneys for the defense, A. s.
Worthington of this city. and Walde-
mar Van Cott of Salt Lake City. Utah,
arrived early and engaged in consulta-
ton with their client.
J. G. Carlisle. formerly secretary of
the treasury. and Il. w. Taylor, for
mer representative in congress, and
the attorney who prosecuted the sue
cessful case against Brigham Roberts
retaining his seat in congress. on the
ground of his violating the anti-poly-
gamy vow, are the counsel for the
professionals.
Half dozen witnesses. nearly all
OF them Officials of the Mormon church.
occupied seats in the rear of the large
committee room. Quite "a number OF
ladies were in attendance and watch
ed the proceedings with interest.
Chairman Burrows, after ascertain
ing by roll call that a quorum was
present, directed Mr.. Taylor TO pro-
ceed with the case.
Mr.. Taylor inquired the number OF
witnesses present, and Mr. Burrows
read the following list OF those on
whom summons had been served: Ma
bel Parker Kennedy. Amos Charles
Matthews. Ogden Hiles, Andrew Jen-
sen, John Smith, Hiram M. Smith,
Thomas Merrill, Charles L. Merrill
Alma Merrill, Lorin Marmon, Moses
Thatcher, NJ. w. Merrill, Joseph r.
Smith and Francis NJ. Lyman.
Mr.. Taylor announced his readiness
to proceed and asked that President
Joseph f. Smith be sworfr After that
had been done Franklin S. Richards.
Salt Lake City attorney, stated that
he was present as an adviser of the
witness, in the event any improper
questions were asked
The first question asked brought out
that Mr.. Smith is president of the
church, and was born in Utah In ls4s
and always has been in the church.
Mr.. Taylor asked Mr.. Smith IL ne
was a prophet, seer and revelator. The
witness said he was $50 sustained
Further questions along The same
line brought out the statement that ne
received his powers by reason OF tne
position he holds in the church. he
said the apostles of the church were
Sustained" in the same powers az
prophets. seers and revelators.
He was asked to name his preoe-
cesso as president of the church ana
gave them In order back to the nrs'
president, Joseph Smith, Jr.
The witness said he sustains tne
same power as his predecessors.
Question asked to ascertain the busi-
ness occupations of Mr. Smith mao
dtion to the presidency of the church
brought out the following list OF con-
Germs of which he Is president:
Zion Cooperative and Mercantiie
company, with a capital stock OF more
than one million dollars: State BANK
OF Utah. Zion Savings Bank, Utah Su-
gar company. Consolidated wagon q
Machine company. Utah Light Raii-
way company, Salt Lake and Los An
geles Railway company, Saltair Beacn
company, and Salt Lake Knitting COM
pany.
He SAID he was president of a num-
ber OF other concerns, the names %
which he could not recall and that ne
was a director of the Union Pacihc
railway company. editor of the I'M
provementer and Juvenile Instructor
and director or official of a number OF
mining companies.
A list OF first presidency, of twelve
apostles governing the church, was
read by Mr.. Taylor and identihed py
Mr.. Smith. This list included the
name of Reed Smoot. Mr.. Smith ex-
planned that TIL. first presidency Is
the president of the church and two
high priests or counsellors and thar