The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-12
TESTIMONY IN DETAIL.
Mcconnell Of Idaho the Principal
Witness.


Washington, Jan. 11.-Testimony in
tended 10 prove that the Mormon NOR
ale is of the highest type and TO refute
the word Of witnesses who have de-
ctared the contrary TO be true was of
Tered by counsel for Senator SmOOt to-
day w. J. Mcconnell. formerly
United States senator from Idaho and
twice governor of his state. and Repre-
sentative Burton l. French. d member
of the present congress and reelected
for another term, were the days wit
nesses-
1t was the opening session of the de-
tense i'm 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
q sentiment in the committee in favor
OF pressing the investigation to a con-
clusiOn, and with that end in view it
was announced that beginning tOmOr-
row longer sessions would be held
Both witnesses today denied many
statements directed against the Nor
mon church and its alleged interior
ence in political affairs. Former Gov
ernOr Mcconnell said that the Gentle
members of the Idaho Legislature have
not IS high morals the Mormon
members and that if II were not for
questions of geography and knowledge
Of legislative needs the interests OF the
state would be better served by an en-
lire Mormon legisla tUre.
Mcconnell the First Witness.
William J. Mcconnell, of northern
Idaho. was the first witness called. The
examination was conducted by Waldo
mar Nancott, of Salt Lake, who is as
ISOLATED with A. 5. Worthington OF
Washington, as counsel for Senator
SmoOt- Mr. Mcconnell described his
occupation as former merchant. half
politician and lawyer for his friends
congress and was governor of Idaho
from 1893 to 1896 inclusive, serving two
successive terms He is a member of
the Presbyterian church The witness
was asked to describe the political con-
ditions and took up early days when.
ne said, he had lobbied before the Iegis-
lature when the first effort was made
TO disfranchise the Mormons-
Praise for the Mormons.
He declared that he was prejudiced
against MormOns, but that he found
that most of the Gentiles were practic-
ing the science, which in our country
is called poker" He said he had never
known MOrmons TO gamble and drink.
He followed this testimony with i re-
view of his acquaintance with Nor
mons during the agitation against the
religion in Idaho. He assisted in bring
ing about the repeal of the test oath
of citizenship and afterward went
among the Mormons on a lecture tour.
He had observed the people, he said
and their morals were of a high.
praiseworthy character.
Knox Asks a Question.
Senator Knox asked counsel to in
form him as TO what part of the case
the examination of Mcconnell was
revelant. Mr.. Worthington said he
10, 1,-%
but that a great mass OF irrelevant
testimony was admitted for the pro-
testants to which objection had been
made and overruled. He said the testi-
mony of Mr.. Mcconnell was in reply
TO this, and particularly to that of
Charles H Jackson. chairman of the
Idaho Democratic committee, who
testified that no candidate for office.
Democratic or Republican. could stand
against the Mormon church. The wit
ness was asked concerning causes OF
the Mormon vote being cast for Good
ing in his canvass for the governorship
and said he was surprised that any
Mormon should vote the Democratic
ticket He gave as one reason that he
had challenged Senator Dubois to a
public debate and received an answer
declining the invitation on the ground
that he could not afford time to de-
bate with anyone who was not a candi-
date for office in the party which was
defending criminals. as he believed
the Mormons to be" He submitted a