New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
SMOOT HEARD AGAIN.
TELLS OF MORMON views.
Lascs Of the Land Superior to
"RcUeIatiORS.


gathered early to-day. Several members OF the
committee who have not been attending the hear
ings regularly were present.
Senator snoot was still suffering from the attack
Of indigestion which was responsible for an early
adjournment yesterday the Senator took the
witness stand at 1880 O'Clock. and before proceed
Ing he made correction IN his testimony concern
ing trials OF apostles. He said the quorum OF
apostles has the right 10 depose one OF its members,
and the twelve apostles are the only quorum that
has that right Several other minor corrections
were made. IN carrying out the decisions Of the
quorum. the Senator said, he did not understand
that the minority must join with the majority.
The FIRST time he heard OF the plural marriage Of
Benjamin CluT president OF the Brigham Young
University. in 1902, when he was told by Jesse
Knight. he heard from MI Knight that Cuffs new
plural wife the daughter Of George Reynolds
Except Tor the investigation of the subject. look
ing 10 the dropping Of Clun from the university
presidency. the Senator said he had made no fur
ther inquiry. lie said Cuff. was removed a year
later. and was succeeded by George BTInhall who
admitted he then living with a plural wife.
lie was not present. but would have voted for
Brimhan 81 he had been at the meeting -;-
You consider the position OF president OF the
university purely ecclesiastical. them asked MI
Tayler-
y thinl st IS"
Then the rule laid down by you. which would
have controlled your vote 3or Apostle Penrose, a
polygamist, would apply TO the election OF Brim-
hallT'
i think the same rule would apply. don't think
would vote for him fer IA federal Office There
are some polygamists 7 would; not vote for ana
some that I would. I would vote for man Ike
Brimhau for a State Office"
The distinction he made was that BrimhaH hed
taken no plural wives since the manifesto, but
was living with plural wife because his lawful
wife was in an insane asylum. He admitted. nrst
that he believed Mr.. Brimhan was violating the
spirit OF the law, ana. pressed by Chairman Bur
rows said that Brimhau was also violating the
letter Of the law" However, the condition OF
the first wife was an extenuating circumstance.
What" again asked Chairman Burrows, do you
think il is an eKtenuating circumstance for a man
70 marry another woman and have. children by
her because his legal wife IS in an insane asylum
NO. ] hardly think that"
Have YOU any doubt about It? DO you think it
was eXtenuatns circumstance because the hrst
wife was insane?"
Perhaps I could put It as broad as that 7 think
II would be-"
Mr. Van Colt interjected that 2 man could not
get divorce IL Utah because his wife was n-
sane
Senator Knox took uD the examination here
@IOo you say this would he extenustng circum-
stance IN all cases .of a polygamst, only in
cases before the manfesto?''
only before the manifesto. For man 20 marry
wife in that way since the manifesto would be
polvgsmy."
Senator smoot said he knew BrimhaIl when he
trustee Of the State Asylum Board He was
OF the opinion that the first Mrs. Brimhan had
children. Mr.. Tsyler read from biographical
sketch to show that Brirnhan had six children The
witness was under the impression that Brimhall
did not marry his second wife until after his first
was sent 10 the asylum. but the biography seemed
dispute the statement. The inquiry on this sub
3ect was not brought 10 a definite conclusion
The elevation Of Joseph F smith 10 the presi-
dency OF the Church was-brUugl1t up by Mr. Tayler
and the witness said he voted 10 sustain him. and
had voted other conferences to sustain Smith
Gs president. - : @
REVELATIONS" AND THE. LAW
DO you believe the Church sim receives reve-
lations from GOd?" asked Senator oveTnan.
Il believe the Church can receive revelations"
Who receives them?'
4 believe any good man can receive revelations
but President Smith is the only man who can re-
oeive revelations that would be binding upon the
people"
DO you believe that any revelation which might
be given could be superior the laws Of the and?'
asked Senator Overman.
Il 20 not believe it would be superior TO the laws
OF the land"
Then, If you got revelation from heaven your
eef would you have to obey it?"
Il believe if 1t from God II would be com
pulsory upon me to obey it; but If it was contrary
10 the laws OF the country in which ] lived I
would move TO some other country, where could
obey the law"
DO you believe that revelations are ever given?'
We'll have heard men testify 50. but could
not say"
What is your belief"
y believe that God could Go such things. He did
Il in former days. and could do It now"
Explaining further the extent TO which revela-
tions lived I'D TO, Senator Smoot said he
snembeTed revelation being received for the
Establishment Of the United Order" and that Brig
ham Young. following the instructions Of that
revelation. from END Of the State TO the
other, preaching the establishment Of that order.
And know" he added. that it was never at
tempted nor lived up by the people. and to-day is
virtually a dead letter"
Senator Dubois asked: do you mean TO say that
~ a revelation received by the president Of the
Church and submitted the Church, mem
Der could disregard It, and maintain his fellowship
and standing in the Church,"
oh yes. I understand So" 80
Senator Smoot referred 10 the law Of tithng. lie
knew there We're many members of the Church who
disregarded st. although uWas law OF Tho Church
Senator Dubois followed up his questioning:
Then as an apostle, you could out before your
people ana take that position. and the people
could refuse 10 obey also and stu retain their
= would not want 10 go fer infer. your
question leads would not want 70 say lil'lt a man
could SO from one end or the state 70 t1e otlef
snd make special point Of preaching against Ger
tain doctrines OF the Church and be IN Ilii IelloW-
ship. think that would De not onE, hoh-oeLIeI IN
81. but open rebellion. and, through that he would
be OF harmony. --..--
NEVER PREACHED POLYGAMY.
Senator smoot said he was sent a mission 70
England IN 1880. He did not preach polygamy
there. nor had he ever done so in his life.
Chairman Burrows asked what ne would have
done II polygamy had been Rsssled The witness
said Il had been assailed TO him. but If II
had been lie would have referred the people 70
the Bible. and told Them IL the Bible cid not per-
NIT Il & should not be pracdsed.
In answer 10 questions BY Senator Beveridge he
said that II the law OF the Church and the law
otsthe land should come irto conflict the law OF
uae land was binding lie declared that Il a