Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-20


to the time he testified before this COM
mission ?"
81 knew that he had more than one
wife, but | knew nothing of the manner
OF his living"
witnesses have testified here that
the statement of President Smith took
the people by surprise What was
your feeling In regard TO that?'
II was surprised at the number OF
children born IN his families since the
manifesto but not surprised at all as
10 the number Of his wives.
what was the state Il your kroNyl-
edge concerning the family relations OF
other Apostles?"
ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE
The senator explained that he had
not intimate acquaintance with the
families OF the other Apostles at the
time he became an Apostle In 1900
When asked about their general repu-
tations and whether he had made any
protest against those reputed to be Nv
ing IN polygamous relations he said the
government OF the United states had
accepted the existing conditions; that
there had been no prosecutions and that
the attitude Of the people was that NJ
liberation. He declared that the people
way TO settle the conditions was TO let
the polygamsts die on.
PAST MANIFESTO MARRIAGES.
Mr.. Worthington asked II that senti-
ment of liberation extended to plural
marriages, which have occurred since
the manifesto,
"Oh, not at all" replied the senator
earnestly. II don't believe there is
good citizen Of Utah who would con-
done new plural marriages.
What action did you take to put
stop to the polygamous relations OF the
other Apostles" asked Mr. Worthing-
ton.
"None at all, never thought OF It
any more than any other citizen would
have done"
Senator Smoot said he attended most
OF the meetings OF the Apostles. In
reply TO Mr. Worthington he said that
the meetings were held in a private
room In the Temple and Mr.. Worthing-
ton then asked.
I'm reference to the charge here that
the Apostles had entered into con-
spiracy to further poygamy what can
you say2'
such a thing was never referred TO
at any OF the meetings,
POWER OF THE PRESIDENT.
Senator Smoot said the Apostles fire.
quently were called IN to advise the
president OF the Church but that he
had the power to do as he pleased al
ter the advice was given. He was
asked II anything ever had come up
at any of these meetings that might
be regarded as furthering polygamy
and he replied more emphatioally than
before, "Polygamy was never men,
toned
Continuing. he denied that there was
a particle Of foundation for the story
OF u conspiracy.
Asked again concerning the testi-
mony OF President Smith that he had
five wives and was living with them
I'm violation OF the law, Senator Smoot
said that until that time he had no
| more knowledge than any other man.
Senator Smoot said he was not pres
| tnt at the conference In April, 1904, that
| sustained the presidency and the Apos
| ties OF the Church, but he did attend
| the seml-annual conference In October
| last year,
| APOSTLES COWLEY AND TAYLOR.
The senator spoke of meeting OF the
| Apostles and the First Presidency be-
| fore the October conference and he said
| that at that meeting he inquired OF
! President Smith II Apostles Cowley
| and Taylor had been sustained at the
| April conference In view OF the testi-
| mony before the senate committee that
| both OF these Apostles had taken plural
| wives since the manifesto. The sem
ator said he objected TO having the men
sustained at the october conference,
and was told by President Smith that
as a member Of the Church he ought
to know that an official or a member
| OF the Church could not be cxcommun-
lcated or disfellowshlpped without an
| investigation and hearing u realized
this" continued the senator, but was
| told that an investigation would be
made, and ! have no doubt that a very
rigid inquiry Is now In progress, With
out this promise | would not have vot-
ed 10 sustain them, Up to the time OF
the testimony before this committee 7
had no knowledge that either Of tn"
| Apostles had violated the law In that
regard, nor had heard anything of
the kind against any other Apostle e1-