Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-21
TESTIMONY IN THE
SM00T HEARINGS

Tor our last issue so If continued today
that our readers may have II entre,l
Senator smoot said that Florence
Reynolds, who is reputed 70 have been
taken by Cluff as a plural wife never
had been u teacher In the university
as had been stated by other witnesses.
The senator said that he did not know
Mr.. Brimhall was polygamist az the
time OF his elevation to the presidency
Of the university, but that II would
have made no difference with his cleo.
ton for the reason that Mr. Brlmhall
has not violated the spirit Of the mani
festo.
AS TO the Evans bill, which was
passed by the Legislature and vetoed
by the governor, he thought II was an
unwlse measure. This bill provided
that person could not be convicted Of
unlawful cohabitation unless the COM
plant was made by the wife.
Have you anything 10 do with re-
ligion classes In Utah?' asked Mr..
Worthington.
MOI l have not have not the least
doubt but religion classes have been
held IN the schools after school hours,
as was stated here" replied MT Smoot.
~ would like TO add that have always
thought It would be best for religion
classes not to be held IN schoolhouses. "
Mr., Worthlngton had put into the rec
ords recent order OF the Church pro-
hibltlng the use Of schoolhouses for re-
liglon classes.
Senator Smoot said he was glad this
order had been issued.
Mr.. Worthington asked concerning w
70. Borah Of Boise, Ida, ana the sena-
tor said he had first sought the services
OF Mr.. Borah as counsel aud Mr.. Borah
accepted, but that other business com-
PEELED him to remain in the west. Mr.
Borah has not been associated In the
case In any way. His name was signed
to the answer filed by other counsel as
a courtesy.
Taking UP the charges IN the pro-
test, Mr., Worthngton asked. Have
you In any way since you became an
Apostle promulgated or advised the
practise of polygamy?"
81 have not"
1T is charged that the President Of
the Mormon Church and n majority OF
the Twelve Apostles now practise po-
lygamy and some have taken plural
wives since 1890. Have you any knowl-
edge on that subject except that pro-
duced here7"
81 have not"
1T is said these things have been
done with the knowledge and consent
of Reed Smooth"
THAT is not true.
1T Is said that plural marriage cere.
monies have been performde by Apos
tles?"
Not 10 my knowledge"
do you know that by reputatlon|
Not until | saw this testimony about
Brigham Young performing that one II
Mexico"
1T is charged that many Bishops and
other high officials OF the Church have
taken plural wives since the NANTES.
TO-"
~ have not heard of It except those
mentioned I'm the testimony"
1T Is said that all Of the First
Presidency and Apostles encourage po-
lygamous combinations do your
~ do not"
THAT they honored and rewarded
polygam,sts by high offices and by dis
tlnct preferinent, have you ever upheld
any man for any office IN the Church
because he was polygamist2"
II have not"
Mr.. Worthington asked concerning
the application for the pardon of Har'
mer, 4 man convicted of adultery. Mr.
Smoot said he refused TO sign the appli'
cation ana the man was not pardoned
Mr.. Tayle" then took the witness fol
cross oxamination and asked about the
Cannon and Ilamlin alleged marriage
Mr. Smoot said that when Lillian Ham
lin went 60 Provo II vas understood
that she had been married to Cannon
before the manifesto. Pressed for his
own views, since hearing the testimony
before the senate committee, Senator
Smoot said he believed now that th,
marriage took place about 1895,
You have been q pr ormon' all your
life?' asked Mr., Tayler.
YES, sir; but not very active one,
replied the senator,
lie explained this by the statement
that he never had held any Office Of
inheritance until 1895. He said he hat
faith IN his religion, ana that his faiti
had Increased and his conviction deep.
ened since he had become an Apostle
OF his faith IN his parents, Seuatoi
Smoot said impressvely:
mo man ever had better mother n
the world than had"
II had been brought out previously
that Senator Shoots mother was q
plural wife.
Concerning the prosecutions for
rolygamous cohabltation before IN.
manifesto, Senator Smoot said he was
aware of the sulfarings Of the families
Of polygamists. lie said that his fathel
was arrested, tried and acquitted III
said the manifesto made he impression
on him that lt was going TO stop polyg
amy forever.
lie dld not understand that It dis
paraged the doctrine Uf polygnmy bu
that II did dsparage the practise II,
said he believed the revelation In re-
gard ~ polyEamy was received bl
joseph smith, but he aid not believe II
the practise OF polygnmy against the
laws " the land, and since the 'lns
decision" Of the supreme court he hat
openly opposed the practise,
Mr. smoot in answering question
regarding the cause ~ the manifesto
said that In his opinion the manifesto
came apparently from a pressure with
IN inc lNUItUf HlNNliA'u ~ At'llN
10 obey an the laws Of the land
81 never have been taught anythlni
I'm my lie but 10 obey the laws Of my
country" asserted Mr. Smoot
no you understand that JOSEPH
Smith In dlsobeYng the law2" asked
Mr.. Tayler
Il understand that Joseph T.. Smith
said tina. he had not obeyed the Law
ip tha Dost. / cannot say what he 4.
doing row
DO you understand that he ~ dis
obeyipg the law"
mo, / do not so understand"
Chairman Burrows Interrupted aut
refreshed Senator shoots mind viii
the statement Of President Smith thaI
no had n children by his Ave plura
wives since the manifesto OF 1890.
Remembering that, what is your an,
swer?" asked Senator Burrows.
81 could not say that he has lived
with those wives"
but he says 20 himself"