The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-17
MORALS OF THE MORMONS.
Testimony in REPUTATION of Evidence
Already Given in the Smoot Case
Two Witnesses Examined.

Washington, January 11.-Testimony
intended to prove that the Mormon
morales is of the highest type, and to
refute the word of witnesses who i've
declared the contrary to be true, was
offered by counsel for Senator Reed
~ a United States Senator from Idaho
and twice governor of his state and
Representative Burten L. French a
~ceTnber OF the present Congress and re-
elected for another term were the days
witnesses.
It was the opening session of the de-
dense in the Smoot investigation. Sen
ator Knox a new member of the COM
mittee attended for the first time. The
committee room was crowded. There
is a sentiment in the committee in ia
vor of pressing the investigation to a
conclusion and with hat end in view
it was announced that beginning toner
roy longer sessions of the committee
will be held.
Both witnesses today denied many
statements directed against the Mormon
church and it's alleged interference in
political affairs. Former Governor Nc
Connell said the Gentle members Of the
Idaho legislature LAY not as high NOR
ais as the Mormon members, and that
If it were not for questions of geogra-
ply and knowledge of legislative
needs the interests of the state would
be better served by an entire Mormon
legislature.
AHr NEoCyonnn11 rnnnnfnI n 1r,ohn Of
reasons why the Democratic party was
boycotted by the Mormon church, say
ing that one of the principal causes was
that Senator Dubois called the Nor
non criminals. An abstract showing
the esult of the vote in Mormon and
nonIMormon counties during the last
six years, was presented by the witness.
This abstract showed a general increase
in the Republican vote in both the Nor
mon and anti Mormon counties, indi-
eating, said the witness, that the Re-
publican increase has not been due to
the influence of the Mormon church.
Mr.. Mcconnell said the Mormons are
in the minority in Zach Of the political
parties and in the legislature and that
the Mormons in Idaho do not get ev-
erything they want"
On this subject he read an opinion
which he accepted as his own views,
declaring that there is no ecclesiastic
support invoked by the church for the
control of political affairs.
In defense Of the Mormons Mr.. Nc
Council said he considered the man who
took a plural wife and cared for her and
her children far better than one who
sustained illicit relations with a woman
and abandoned her and her children to
the scorn Of the world.
Witness admitted he had appointed
William Badge, a polygamist as regent
of the state University.
Inquiry by Chairman Burrows
brought out the statement from the
witness that when Idaho was admitted
as a state it, was "tacitly UNDERSTOOD
that polygamists would be permitted to
continue to live with their several
wives and increase their families.
Mr.. French said that in ~canvasses of
his state he had not taken account of
the Mormon as a church, but Of course
bad talked politics to Mormons as in
dividuals.
Mr.. French was asked what would
be the effect of his political fortunes If
he should be the instrument in the pros
ecution of polygamists.
1T is my judgment that the Mormons
would resent it, said Mr.. French. He
added that he believed that even the
Mormons would admit that
the understanding Of 1890 had been vio-
lated.
Then it is rather necessary in poll
tics to keep clear of Mormon prosecu-
tons" observed the chairman.
The committee adjourned until tomor-
row