Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-11

iNNlhlOOB since,
senator Smoot-I know but / think
that was the final case.
Mr. Tayler-Do you not know that
there were many decisions prior 10
that time which were absolutely. II
anything more was needed. conclusive
Of the question?
Senator Smoot--No; | understand
that all Of the decisions between that
time were upon questions that arose as
TO certain points In the rulings by
judges In our Territory, IA It was then,
ana ! do not remember that there was
anything definite decided other than
those special points
Mr.. Tayler-Do you remember the
case of Murphy v. Ramsey-when was
that?
Senator Smoot--I do not call to mind
that case.
Mr.. WHAT
Senator Smoot-I do not call to
mind that case, Mr. Tayler In fact,
have not followed them closely at ALL
Mr.. Tayler-Do you not know sena-
tor that the manifesto resulted from
the agitation In Congress over tho
proposition that the elective franchise
I'm Utah should be restricted TO those
who gave unqualified allegiance to the
government OF the United States?
Senator Smoot--No; / do not UNDER
stand that, Mr. Tayler.
Mr.. Tayler-And that every funda-
mental case had long been decided be-
fore that?
Senator Smoot-No; I do not UNDER
stand 1t that way. My understanding
is this That the manifesto came after
the passage Of certain laws and tho
final decision thereon by the supreme
court and not only that | believe II
I, Ia,
as we'll
Senator Beverdge- What do you
mean by that--"wthin the Church
itself?" DO you mean there was n de-
sire on the part OF the people within
the Church to obey the laws interpret
ed in that decision2
Senator Smoot Interpreted I'm that
decision; and to obey all the laws sem
ator.
Mr. Tayler-Without exception?
Senator SmoOt--I think so. | think
the Mormon people
MIR. Tayler-And including the law
respecting polygamous cohabtation2
Senator Smoot--At that time real
~ think that was the understanding.
Mr.. Tayler-At that time that was the
thought
Senator smoot--I think that was the
thought?
Mr.. Tayler-That they were going to
obey all the laws?
Senator Smoot-I think that was the
thought, Mr. Tayler
Mr.. Tayler-You therefore gave the
Interpretation TO the manifesto that
the
Senator Smoot--I wish to say this. II
you were referring to the manifesto In
regard 10 polygamous Cohabitation, as
TO the manifesto mentioning polyga-
nous Cohabitatiou, I want you TO corr
rect my answer on that.
Mr. Worthington--Noi Il did not re-
fer to that.
Mr. Van Cott--It did not refer to IT.
Senator SmOot--All right, then,
MI Tayler-But as growing out OF the
manifesto, the purpose was to obey the
laws, just as MILFORD Woodruff said
they would?
Senator Smooth never have been
taught anything In my life but to obey
the laws Of my country
Mr.. Tayler-I was not applying 1t to
you, Senator.
Senator smoot--Well, I thought you
were.
Mr.. Tayler-You have been taught al
ways to obey the law and you expect
other people to do the same, do you
not?
senator SDlOOl-- eSt
Mr., Tayler--Do you understand that
Joseph Smith is obeying the law?
Senator Smoot--I do not know.
heard his testimony here that he was
| living with his wives. / do not know
| that he Is cohabiting with them II he
| IT, he is not living the law; and he did
say that IN the past he had broken the
! law Of the land But 1 rather think
| that IS brought about I'm this way,
| that, as | stated here this morning
! from the date, or shortly after the date.
| OF the manifesto the cases that were
then I'm cOurt-at least many Of them
were dismissed and when the docket
was clear there were very, very few
prosecutions The officers having in
hand the prosecution Of this class OF
cases were appointed by the govern
ment and | think that being the case.
and on account Of the discussion that
came up at the Constitutional conven.
ton (and the habit that has been grow
ing there has instllled It in the hearts
Of The people there, or the minds of
those that are I'm that condition., that
the people would tolerate It, at least,
and they were In position where they
did not know what to do.
The Chalrman--Pardon me, senator,
] do not think you understand the ques-
ton, ! wish the reporter would read
the question to the senator, in fairness
to him.
The reporter read as follows:
"Mr Tayler-Do you understand that
Joseph smith Is obeying the law"
The Chairman-That is the question.
Senator Smoot-DO you mean today2
Mr.. Tayler-I know nothing more
about IT than that he testified on that
subject here.
Mr.. Worthngton-I think he did an
swer the question, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Van Cott-l ASK TO have the an
sWcr read, If there is any discussion az
to whether he answered It.
Senator BeVeridge-The part OF the
answer chat was not responsive to the
question was the latter part He went
on a. say that II such and such were
true, then he was disobeying the law.
Then he proceeded to say, 1T comes
about In this way" and for the life OF
me L. for one, could not connect his
explanation as to how It did come
about,
The Charman-Mr Reporter, will
you read the question again?
Senator Beyeridge--His explanation
did not explain.
The Chairman-Re the question
Senator Smoot-Mr. Chairman, Just
take the same question and leave tho
explanation OF.
The Chairman-That is entirely salts
factory, only | thought that perhaps
you did not understand the question ex-
actly, and | would like to have II am
sWered
The reporter again read the question,
as follows:
"Nlr Tayler-Do YOU understand Jo-
seph Smith Is oheylng the law?"
The Charman-That Is simple
question,
MI. Van Cott--Yes; and Il has been
answered
senator Smoot--I understand that Jo-
gppb Il Smith said that he had NOT