The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-01-14
APOSTLE SHOOTS nfthd
HAS HOW D[dUH
fh5f Witness is -pekd Dir
Mcconnell Of Idaho Who
Talks Poker.

Washington, Jan. IL. The defense
in the Smoot investigation began in
earnest today, the room Of the senate
committee on privileges and cleo.
tions being crowded as during the
progress of the inquiry into the sec
rets of the Mormon church. Most of
the spectators were women. The first
witness was William j. Mcconnell. a
former senator and former governor of
Idaho. He said he was member of
the Presbyterian church. In the
early days he was prejudiced against
the Mormons, but had found that
most gentiIes we're practicing a
"Science which in our country is
called roker,' while be had never
known Mormons to gamble or drink.
He reviewed his acquaintance with
the Mormons. During the agitation
against their religion in Idaho
he said that he assisted in
bringing about the repeal of the test
oath of citizenship and afterwards
went among the Mormons ON a lecture
tour. He had observed the people
and their morals we're of high and
praisewQrthy character
Mcdonnell ramhled off into various
lengthy dissertations foreign to the
matter at Issue and was sharply called
down number Of times by the attor-
ney and senators present conducting
the investigation.
Witness said ne did not know of
any polygamous Mormons among the
Mormons since the manifesto On
cross examination Taylor drew from
the witness the fact that be lived
distance from the Mormon settlement
equal in time from Washington to
Omaha, Neb. On cross examination
the witness corrected his testimony
In regard to "poker playing gen
tiles. " Saying it was confined to
members of the Legislature and not
the people.
DO you know William Budgeg"
Mr.. Taylor asked.
eyes, Sir"
Is he polygamistyn
The witness said that he was salts
fed that Bulge was polygamist and
that he had held office, and AS COVER
nor of Idaho, Mcconnell said, he had
appointed Bulge regent of the state
university.
Mr.. Mcconnell was asked If the
Mormon plank had not been respons-
ible for the loss of every Mormon
vote, but the witness asserted the in
fiuence Of this plank had not been as
potent as the statement of Senator
Dubois that "all Mormons we're
criminals. y
When questioned further on this
subject he admitted he had heard the
threat of Mormons - that If the
plank we're adopted there would not
be Mormon vote cast for the demo-
cratic ticket.
The Washington Times says: The
development of the Smoot
case is the part likely to be played in
the inquiry by Senator Knox of Penn
sylvania, who was assigned to the
just before the Christmas
recess TO oil the place of the late
Senator Hoar He was present TODAY
Tor the opening Of the smoot side aud
while awaiting the time set for the
resuming the hearings. conversed
with other senators aud with Attorney
x. w. Tayler, counsel for the prot.
'stsuts. about the case
"knos, IL Is predicted, viii prove
factor Ia the determination Of the
ease u is generally anticipated
that smoot's eopnsel viii pot attempi
b aeny the msin charges Which have
bsep testified 40 aud frequehtly
feiiefased against The Mormon church
Hierarchy, but VII content chem
selves r''h 'eisipg the point ~ las
'hs' po'bips heg beep shogp 40 dis
qualify h~ooi foF service 10 49, sen.
~ a y thouglt probable tAai thl.