The Washington times., 1905-01-18
Represents the Mormons
Only as Latter Does
Christians
SMOOT INQUIRY ROUTINE
Questions Devoted to Ex-
plain Away Gentle inter-
pretations of Customs.

In the Smoot inquiry today the Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections
found little evidence throwing new light
on Mormon customs. All the questions
propounded by Attorney Worthington
We're directed 10 explaining away the in
terpretations pet upon such customs by
persons outside the Mormon church.
The sum total of today>s morning ses-
sion was put into the record the Nor
mon view of ecclesiastical courts and
their value to a community by settling
disputes through persuasion and love-
and the error of supposing that the writ
ings Of Mormon leaders like Orson Pratt
should be considered as the voice of the
church
ANY more than that the writings of
Lyman Abbott should be binding on all
Christians. suggested Senator Hopkins
The analogy is entirely correct - re-
Piled Witness Talma ge
AT the opening of the session Judge
James A Miner was recalled to correct
his testimony OF late yesterday after
noon This occupied but few minutes
Author On the Stand.
James E. TaImage. of Salt Lake City,
was the first witness called for direct
examination today He has been Nor
mon all his life. but not a polyganist
He is author OF the Mormon treatise
known as the Articles of Faith and
has arranged a revision of the Pearl
of Great Price one of the principal
Mormon books of reference
Attorney Worthington conducting the
direct examination. inquired into the
powers OF the high officials of the
church and how succession was gov
erned.
Senator Oyerman querieG the witness
on these answers and then Mr.. Worth
ngten took up the subject OF the Nor
mon law courts.
There is no appeal TO the apostles in
any case. declared witness. If there
Is an appeal from the high council of
the stake the case goes TO the first
presidency on the submission of tran
script of the case rather than having
the witnesses called to testify again
Mormons Dislike Lawyers.
Are people going into those courts not
permitted 10 have lawyers to look cut
for their interests asked Senator Over
man
THE very purpose of the church
courts is TO steer clear Of the lawyers,
o.NThey have church members pres
A-That is right.
Q.-Are iuries ever called In to ascer-
tain the facts. when they are disputed?
A--N0, sir
Old Letters IN Evidence.
Mr. worthington offered In evidence a
large batch of letters sent 10 Senator
S-noot few days ago. The first letter
is dated November :. 1895. and signed by
Wnford Woodruff. George O. Cannon,
and Joseph T. Smith. first presidency of
the Mormon Church Others Of later
date were read. declaring that the
church had no intention of urging mem
bcrs to take land cases into the church
courts. for fear that outsiders would de-
l-tre that the Mormon Church was sup
planting the courts of the lacd- II was
urged however. that naemb-rs OF the
church. among themselves. should eXer-
Else persuasion and love" TO settle their
difficulties
Those letters properly represent the
practice OF the Mormon courts, declar-
I'd the witness, when the reading OF the
letters had hcen concluded
A Slight Interruption.
Some amusement was caused shortly
afterwarCl, when witness, to refresh his
memory, called for his overcoat tc get
copy of book by Brigham H. Rob-
erfs, the ReprescntativC-elcct who was
kept out of Congress largely by reason
Of Attorney Tayler's efforts in 1903.
witness pointed out where he thought
his coat To be. but another man claimed
the garment there. Mr.. Talmage then
went on a tour of he committee room,
examining all the overcoats In s5gnt. u,.-
I'll. after some confusion. he located the
coat and got the book He then read
from it some Of the procedure in regard
tn h. s>F91t-rF, co,frtS
Attorney " wilmington then INQUIRED
as TO the standard works of the church
and was IGId they are four in number
y thing contained in any other books s
said.
Senator Overman inquired whether
! missionaries do not carry the works OF
Orson Pratt with them and sell them to
people throughout the country
Witness said they might do so. but
! that this did not necessarily bind the
church 10 all that Pratt had said in
| those books.
I'm several of his writings he has
allowed his imagination to play. instead
| OF to work, commented the witness.
Vetoing VIII of Sod.
| Attorney Worthington inquired wit
ness view OF statements made by other
| witnesses as TO the power of the church
| to veto the decree of God by voting not
| to accept a revelation.
| Witness said he had read such state
ments in the official records of the com
;nittee's hearings He thought il rep
| resented a combination of attempted
| humor and ironical coloring He then
| entered upon an argument on the re-
| ligious theory of free agency which
| he said God has given to all people
| Senator Hopkins showed an interest
| in the witness comments and finally got
the witness TO assent TO his definition of
what .'vetoing the Will of God means
Witness read some passages from
Elder Roberts book and the recess was
| then !: ----