The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-14
Younger MOrmORs Are All Op-
 posed to Practice
SHOOT HEARING CONTINUES
Sympathy of Outsiders Who Oppose Polygamy Is All for the Women, Who Have Been Deluded
 Into 1t.

Washington, January 13.-Three wit nesses for the defense in the Shoot case today testified that polygamy is dying out in Utah so rapidly that there is no need of prosecutions.
 It was declared that the younger Nor mons are all opposed to polygamy, and that If they thought it was being taught, there would be a revolution in the church. l. was admitted that senator fmoot had u get the consent Of the church to be- come a candidate for senator, but only in the form of a leave of absence from his church duties, and it was declared that he could have been nominated and elected without 1t.
 Whitecotton on Stand.
 Whitecotten, an attorney of Provo, Utah, resumed his review of political af- fairs in Utah when the hearing opened today. No effort was made by the church, ht said, to restrict the political liberties of the people generally or of any indi- yiduals but 1t claimed the right to re- ceive the time and energies of men who have been elected to important church offices.
 The deduction he drew was that the church did not try to prevent its mem- bers from engaging In politics without the consen> of the church, but that when certain members accepted important church offices the church had right to prevent such members from accepting other offices which would take their time MT. Whtecotton said he never had seen any difference in business between Nor mons and Genties, but he thought the Mormon voters adhered more closely than the Gentiles to their party affilia- tions.
 It was shown by the witness. the Gen. tiles had always held the most important state offices and that Gentile judges who had been active in sentencing Mormons for polyr lmous co-habitation received as large a vote as other candidates when they came up for reelection
 q think the decided sentiment of the Mormon people In Utah is hostile to po!ygamy." said MT. Whitecotton.
 Do Not Favor Prosecutions.
 As to the sentiment in the state in regard to the prosecutions for polygamy, MT. Whitecotton said there had been great deal said of understanding that there should be no prosecutions, but that he had never heard of such a thing and did not believe 1t existed. Continuing he said
 But I believe the people generally don't want to stir this thing up and start it smelling again-it has not a good odor. Women went into polygamy-a delusion, probably cause they thought plural marriage religious duty. The church prescribes that if a plural wife gets divorce she cannot be married to another husband, and the people realize that if she Is cut off by pros . utions from her only protector, she and her children are In a precarious condition. The sympathy of Gentle and young Mormons opposed to polygamy is all for the women. I never heard of any sympathy for a male polygamist, and don't believe there has ever been such sympathy for one unless perhaps he should happen to be married to three or four viragoes.'
 Speaking of the character of the state officers, MT. Whiecotton said there had not been a ploygamist elected since state hood.
 What would be the effect socially and politically on an official who instituted proceedings in prosecution of polygam- ist?" asked Attorney Vancott.
 "It would make difference in his standing In the community
 What would be the effect if he came up for office?"
 "It probably would help him in his vote It would be felt that he was man of courage and nerve to go ahead and do his duty" replied MT. Whitecotton.
 Explains Meaning of Nerve.
 Chairman Burrows asked why 1t re-
  duty, and the witness explained this by giving the condition in which such pros cautions would leave women and inno- cent children.
 What is the sentiment in regard to the polygamous families?" asked the chair man.
 .lThat it was an awful condition; one that we wish we were out of, and we don't know how to get out, said MT. Whitecotton.
 ..Then these people-these polygamists- are left without interference?" remarked the chairman.
 Mr. Vancott asked when Senator Shoot first took an active part in politics in Utah.
 He was in politics when I went to Utah He was in the peoples party After the division came, what part did he take?''
 nWell. he had some republican here sies and he joined that party. He was in the woolen mill business" said the wit @What other heresies did MT. Shoot show?r asked Senator Foraker.
 "Well, he developed the habit of voting the Republican ticket, and 1t was un- pleasant to us Democrats to have too many of those fellows around"
 "Along the line of MT. Shoots early heresies did he oppose polygamy?" asked Mir. Vancott.
 'Yes, sir; he was looked upon as the young man in Utah to redeem Israel"
 Had Eye on Senatorship.
 In regard to the political aspirations and the attitude of the people. both Nor mons and Gentiles, MT. Whitecotton said that -Four years ago MT. Shoot was talked of for Governor, and when he abandoned the race for that office it was understood he had his eye on the membership. He was the logical. and in my judgment, the inevitable candidate Before he became an apostle he was talked of as candidate for senator. After he was elected an apostle and be- came a candidate for senator a campaign was waged in which the issue was Shoot or not Shoot.
 ssDo you think his apostleship assisted or hurt him ir his canvass for the sen- atorshipT' asked MT. vancott.
 .sI don't know as to that. know there