Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-14

prosecutions. 1t was declared that the
younger members are all opposed to
polygamy and that, IL they thought it
was being taught, there would be
revolution in the church. 1t was ad-
mitted that Senator Smoot had to get
the consent of the church to be come
a candidae for senator, but only IN the
form of a leave Of absence from hls
church duties and it was declared that
he could not have been nominated and
elected without it
wv. N. Whitecotton. an attorney of
Provo, Utah, resumed his review OF po-
litical affairs in Utah when the hear
ing opened. today, in the SmOot lnVes-
tigaticn. No effort was made py tne
church, he said, to restrict the poil'i-
cal liberties of the people. The church
did not try to prevent its meihot's
from engaging in politics without the
consent of the church, but when meih-
beers accepted important churcn oi'res'
the church claimed the right 10 prevent
them from accepting other ofnces Wnlch
would take their time. He said he had
nevcr seen any difference in business
between Mormon and Gentle, but ne
Thought the Mormon voters adhered
more closely than the Gentiles to their
patty Affiliations.
witness said that Gentiles had al
ways held the most important state Vi,
fees and that Gentle judges. who had
been active in sentencing Mormons lor
no,vpamous cohabitation, received as
large a vote as other candidates "hei'
rn.pIprfl0n.
~ think the decided sentiment OF the
Mormon people in Utah is hostiie 10
no,vpamy." said Mr.. Whitecotton.
He said that there had been srea.
deal said Of an understandings 'n"'
there had been no prosecutions ~,
polygamy. but he had never hearo VI
such a thing. Continuing ne saiu.
Put l believe the people do not want
20 ctr this thing up and start it SMELL
ing agair,-it has not a good odor. Wo-
men went into polygany-a delusion.
,,rohab,v-because they thought plural
marriage a religious duty. the church
prescribes, that if plural "le se'S
;. divorce she cannot be married 10 an
other husband, and tn" people reaiiZe
that If she is cut off by prosecutions
from her only protector, she ana her
children are in a precarious CONDITION.
The sympathy of those opposed u
,nlyramy is all for the women neNt
for a male polysamis.. ahd L doii oe
,;eve there has been sympathy lot one
unless he should happen TO De hiar-
r;ed tn three or four vitagCes.
Speakirg Of the character OF STATE
Oa;cers Mr.. Wh.tecotton said there
mad not been a polygamist elected
since statehood.
..What ia the sentiment in regard 10
tho no,veamous families?' asked the
chairman.
..rh.t If was an awful condition"
Mr. Van Colt asked when Senator
Smoot first took an active part IN poll
,ics in Utah.
"He was in politics when | went u
I-tah He was in the Peoples party.
After the division he had some Repup-
lican heresies and he joined that party.
He was in the wooden mill business
said the witness.
What other heresies did MI. oH'oo'
SHOVE" asked Senator Foraker.
"Well. he developed a habit OF al
WAYS voting the Republican ticket ana
il was unpleasant to us Democrats 10
have too many of those fellows
around"
"Along the line of Mr.. Shoots early
heresies did he oppose polysamy!
asked Mr.. Van Colt.
"Yes. sir. He was looked upon as
the young man in Utah to redeem
Israel"
What is the standing of Senator
Smoot as to his morals and upright
character" asked Senator Foraker.
mo man in the state or out OF IL
stands better" said Mr.. Whitecotton.
Have you heard of any charge
against him that would affect his
standing" the senator asked.
"I never have. | have known him
intimately for Is years. and for num-
Der of years have been associated with
him in business"
Senator Dubois inquired why the
polygamists had not been charged WITH
nolygamy. adultery or bigamy. instead
Of unlawful cohabitation and the WIT
ness replied that no convictions coulc
be had on those charges. DO the same
conditions exist now" asked the sena'
tor. -,
Il think they do" was the reply =
think 1t would be Impossible 10 CON
vict except for unlawful cohabitation
At the afternoon session Judge Tay
Tor counsel for the protestants. cross
examined Mr.. Whitecotton.
The witness said the act OF Apostle
Merrill. who is the husband of severa
wives performing the ceremony unit
ing his son to plural wife. met HI
hearty disappro5ation. and that TN
whole outfit ought to be prosecuted.
II, E. Booth of Salt Lake, a non
Mormon lawyer. who went to Uta
from Iowa in 1855 and has been activ
in the politics Of his state asserted tina
the Mormon church. as church OIL
not interfere in political affairs.
Il believe polygamy is as deao a
slavery Ninety eight per cent OF IN
Mormcns themselves are opposed
plural marriages." the witness declai
ed. He thought polygamy would die o,
soon Of itself and that it was better
permit this rather than to prosecut
husbands and leave their plural wive
as outcasts.
Asked by Senator Dubois if his syn
pathy for children born in polygamy