Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-25
SM00T CASE.
Examination Of Witnessed
Is Not Yet Completed.
Testimony Is Mostly Of Unim.
portant Character.
Stevens Shows Instances of Mormon
Church Interference.

Washington, Jan. 24.-Contrary to ex-
pectations counsel for the defence in
the simoot investigation before the Sem
ate committee on privileges and cleo
tons. did not complete the examination
OF witnesses. today. When adjourn
ment Was taken announcement was
made that one more witness would be
put OH the stand. tomorrow. The tes-
umony given. today. was of an un-
important character and much time
was devoted to a discussion between
cvounsel OF documentary evidence Of
fered by the defence.
Frank Il. stephens of Salt Lake, the
first witness. today, in the Senator
SmoOt investigation. testified TO the
intensity OF feeling between Mormons
and GentiieS and of the amelioration
of that feeling after the Woodruff man
ifeSto. and OF the cooperation of the
Mormons and Gentiles in charitable
works.
Concerning sentiment in Utah in re-
gard to prosecutions for pOlygamous
cohabitation, Mr.. Stephens said the
sentiment was not sufficient to cause
prosecutions, except in fragrant cases.
Chairman Burrows asked II the case
of President Smith was fragrant. Mr.
Stephens said he thought President
Smith ought to be prosecuted, because
of the example he has set. Senator
Foraker asked concerning Senator
Shoots reputation.
at is as good as any man." replied
Mr.. stephens. IF he had not been an
apostle there would have been less OBJ
lection to him. think his apostleship
handicapped him."
"Why 90 they disapprove Of an apos-
tie serving in the Senator" asked Sem
ator Overman.
because it is like holding a red rag
before a bun TO put an apostle up for
office. The people don't want it,
why so?"
"They don't want the church in poll
tics and there is a feeling among many
Centiles that the election of an apos-
tie put the church into politics. I don't
think the church sent Senator Smoot to
the Senate. l know, however. that it
did not disappiove. but do not know
that it openly approved. Personally l
think Mr.. .Snoot would have been elect
ed if he had not been an apostle. After
the election | told Senator SmoOt he
NOulu never accept tHe SelldtOTSHlp as
an apostle. He told me to wait and see
if it made any difference in his acts az
a senator. told him that was not the
point. but that the people did not want
the church in politics"
In answer to a question by Senator
T'epew, Mr. stephens gave the case of
Representative Allen. elected to Con-
gress IN 1926 on where an active an
ti-POIygamist was elected to office.
Nearly every senator participated i'm
the discrimination. Mr.. stephens
answered all questions with frankness.
A recess was then taken.
At the afternoon session. Mr.. Ste
phcns. ds notable Instances of church
Interference in politics, gave the cases
of Moses Thatcher's candidacy when
he said church influence against
Thatcher resulted in the election of
Senator Rawlns: later when President
Snow in 1900. favored the Republican
electors and still later when church in
fuence resulted in the election of Sem
ator Kearns. \ majority Of Mormons,
he said. voted intelligently.
Mr. Stephens said that pOlygamy can
he stopped only by resuming rigid pros
ecutiOns.
David Eccles Of Ogden, testified that
he had not married Margaret Geddes,
who vas on the stand several weeks
ago Charles Mostyn Owen had testi-
fed that Mr.. Eccles was reputed to
be Mrs Geddes' husband.
An adjournment was then taken until
tomorrow.