Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-13
CONDITIONS IN UTAH
Mr.. WhitecottOn Before the
Smoot Committee.
GENTILES HOLD OFFICES
NO PoLYGAMISTs ELECTED TO A
STATE POSITION.
Gives High Praise to the Character Of
Senator Smoot, With Whom He
Has Been Associated.
GENTILES HOLD OFFICES

]. w. n. Whitecotton, a Utah at
torney, testified before the Senate
committee investigating the Smoot
case today regarding the political
conditions in his state. He declared
that Gentiles had always held tie
most important state Offices and that
Gentle judges had been active in
sentencing Mormons ior polyga-
nous colabitation. He said that
no polygamist had been elected 20
a state Office since Utah became
state. Regarding the standing OF
Senator Smoot as to morals he said
that no one in the state or out of
it stood higher. He remarked that
he was counsel for the bank of which
Mr.. Smoot is president. He tcsti-
fed that Mormons were prosecuted
for unlawful cohabitation and not
for polygamy. adultery or bigamy.
as no conviction could be obtained
on those charges.
J. w. n. Whitecotton, attorney OF
Prevo, Utah, resumed his review OF pollti-
cal affairs in Utah when the hearing opened
today In the Smoot investigation. No ef-
fort was made by the church, he said, to
restrict the political liberties of the people
generally or OF any individuals, but it claim
ed the right to receive the time and ener-
giles of men who have been elected to i'm
portant church offices. The deduction ne
drew was that the church did not try to
prevent its members from engaging in poIi-
ties without the consent of the church, but
that when certain members accepted I'M
portant church offices the church had a
right to prevent such members from ac-
cepting other Offices which would take their
time. Mr.. Whitecottof said he never had
seen any difference IN business between
Mormon and Gentle, but tie thought the
Mormon voters adhered more closely than
the Genties to their party affiliations.
GenIlles Held the Offices.
1t was shown by the witness that gentiles
had always held the most important state
offices and that gentle judges who had
been active in sentencing Mormons for
polygamous cohabitation received large
votes as other candidates when they came
up Tor fe-eleCtIOD. thtnk the decided
sentiment of the Mormon people In Utah is
hostile to polygamy." said Mr.. White
cotton.
AS to the sentiment in the state in re-
gard to the prosecutions for polygsmy, Mr.
Whitecotton said there had been a great
deal said OF an understanding that there
should be no prosecutions, but tnat he had
never heard of such thing and did not be-
lieve 1t existed.
Continuing, he said: "But 1 believe the
people generally don't want to stir this
thing up and start it smelling again-it has
not a good odor. Women went into polyg-
amy-a delusion, bably-because they
thought plural marriages a religious duty.
The church prescribes that if plural wife
gets a divorce she cannot be married to
another husband and the people realize
that IL she is cut off by prosecutions from
her only protector she and her children are
In a precarious condition. The sympathy of
gentiles and young Mormons opposed ta
polygamy is all for the women. i never
heard of any sympathy for a male polyga-
mist, and don't believe there ever has been
such sympathy, unless. perhaps, he should
happen to be married 10 three four
viragoes."
Mr.. Whtecotton said there had not been a
polygamist elected since statehood.
what would be the effect socially and
politically on an official who Instituted pro-
ceedings in prosecution of polyga mist?"
asked Attorney Van Cott
ut would make no difference in his stand
Ing IN the com immunity.
What would be the effect if ne came up
for Officer
''It probably would help him in his vote.
1t would be felt that he was a man Of
courage and nerve to go ahead and do his
duty" replied Mr.. Whtecotton.
Chairman Burrows asked why it required
nerve" for official to do his duty. and
the witness explained this by giving the
condition in which such prosecutions would
leave women and innocent children.
What is the sentiment in regard to po-
lygamous families" asked the chairman.
THAT it awful condition"
"A lawful condition, you say?" inter-
rupted the chairman
mo. an awful condition. One that We
wish we were out of, and we don't know
how to get out said AIR. Whitecotton
Then these people-these polygamists-
left without interference remarked the
chairman.
Smoot's Political Relations.
Mr.. Van Co,t asked when Senator Smoot
first took active part in politics in Utah.
He was in politics when l went to Utah.
He was in the peoples party
After the division came. what part did
he take?"
Well, he had some republican. heresies
and he Joined that party. He was in the
woolen mill business" said the witness.
What other heresies did Mr.. smoot
shown asked Senator Foraker.
voting the republican ticket. and Ii was
unpleasant to us democrats to have too
many of those fellows around
Along the line of Mr.. Smoot's early
heresies, did he oppose polygamy?" asked
Mr. Van Colt.
Yes, sir; he WIS looked upon as the
young man in Utah to redeem Israel"
In regard TO the political aspirations and
the attitude OF the people, both Mormens
and Gentiles. Mr. Whitecotton said that
-four years ago Mr.. -Smoot was talked Of
fr md her, f1e nod
race for that Office IL was understood that
he had his eye on the senatorship- He was
the logical, and in my Judgment. the In
evitable candidate. Befcre he became an
apostle he was talked of as candidate for
senator.
After he was elected an apostle and he
became : candidate for senator cam
paign was uaged in uhich the issue was
sSnloot or not Sz3oot
s.I,o ron think his ap0stiezhfp assisted or
hurt him ii his canvas for the senator
ship 2. asked NJ. Van Colt.
Il don't know as to that know there
are a great many Mormon< WIN opposed
a-isn Exexcasese he WGS Q03cfnl Of the