Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-26
compel IT to produce marriage and other

compel It to produce marriage and other
records Of public interest.
w. A typical instance of the control ex-
ercised by church authorities In mere tenn
poral affairs appears in two cases at Brig
ham City. occurring within the last year.
''VI. It denies the validity and application
Of law to It's members II such laws relate to
polygamous cohabitation.
News. a secular newspaper, the organ or
the church. edited by Apostle Penrese.
which daily instructs the people In the rule
of obedience and the matter of taking
counsel
Encouragement Of Polygamy.
Il. The hierarchy of which snoot Is a life
member and vacancies in which are filled by
the survivors, encourages, countenances and
eonnives at polygamy and polygamous Ivy
ing. saz
''2. Notwithstanding the rule of: the
church, the law of the land, and the sol
emn promise of the hierarchy to abstain
from polygamous cohabitation. a majority
Of the first presidency and twelve apostles
have persistently, VIGOROUSLY and CONFESS
eddy continued to live with plural wives,
and in almost every instance to bring new
children into the world by them.
And as If to emphasize their defiance
and Indifference, they elected polygamist
as an apostle since the Senate committee
began to take testimony. Senator Smoot
was one of the apostles who participated In
the unanimous election of polygamous as
sociate. a--
IS This hierarchy has taken no steps
looking to the criticism or discipline or
prosecution of any of the large number OF
men living with polygamous wives.
Il. 1t has not shown any signs OF interest
nor has 1t made any inquiry concerning the
numerous cases Of reputed. new polygamous
marriages or concerning the proved cases
of new polygamOus marriages. except the
statement that recently an inquiry has been
started to learn the truth respecting ApoS-
ties Taylor and Cowley.
.. Its members have constantly declared
their belief in the divinity and propriety of
plural marriage. although pretending that
the practice has been suspended; and Presi-
dent Joseph F. Smith has publicly, among
his followers and to Reed Smoot, stated
that the righteousness OF polygamy could
no more be denied than any other dogma of
tho church.
''6. All these things are significant in view
Of the fact that word from the hierarchy
would stop it all.
81. most significant illustration Of the
power exercised by the president is found in
the fact that he has the power to divorce
after death
IS. The obligation taken in the endowment
ceremonies of the church is unpatriotic and
reasonable.
Senator Shoots Responsibility.
Coming down to Senator Shoots alleged
participation in violation of the law, Judge
Tayler continued:
apart from Senator Shoots RESPONSE
bility as a member of the hierarchy, one
of the apostles, as one indissolubly con-
nected with this conspiracy against the
government, the following facts appear in
the testimony as personal to himself: He
voted for the election Of Joseph F. Smith
as president of the church and has regular
ly sustained him Semi-annualiy ever since.
He has never lifted his voice against po-
lygamy or polygamous living. To no one
of his associate apostles nor to the preSi-
dent of the church has he ever said word
in the way of criticism or remonstrance OF
their violation of law and of their promise
to the country: and he declares that he
never will do any such thing.
He deliberately voted for the election OF
another polygamist as an apostle, as re-
Gently as last July. AS a trustee and men,
Der of the executive committee of Brigham
Young University, with thousand stu
dents of both sexes, he permitted known
polygamist to remain for years at its head.
Not only that, having reason to believe
that the head of the university had taken
a new plural wife. he did not undertake to
investigate it. He did not criticise the
head of the university. He made no IN
quiry of him. but permitted him for sew
eral years after that fact was known gem
orally to continue at the head of that in
stitution and when, In 1903, this polyga-
nous president resigned, another pOlyga-
mist was elected to succeed him. This cleo
ton was with Senator Shoots approval,
and now meets with his approval.