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

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We publish IN this issue Of the Des-
erct News from the official report OF
the proceedings before the committee
on privileges and elections OF the Unit
cd states senate. the full text Of the
testimony given under oath by senator
Reed smoot. We hope tho public VIII
read the account from beginning to end
even though It requires some time and
patience to do so 1t VIII be seen by the
careful reader that the Senator stands
by his religion, his Church and his as
soclates IN the ministry, while endeav-
oring 10 maintain his right to the seat
in the United States Senate TO which he
was duly elected by the Legislature OF
Utah, composed chiefly Of Republicans
who we're elected with the understand
ing that Reed smoot was TO be the
choice of their party for the office which
he now holds.
The replies Of the Senator to ques-
tions propounded to him, which have
caused certain amount Of comment
and some criticism among the people
here, were drawn from him in cross
examination. There Is no need TO make
any apology for them, as they express
his views In a direct aud simple man
ner. and were candid and ms straight
forward as were possible considering
the manner In which he was interro-
gated. The anlmus Of the attorney for
the professionals and the earnest aid
given TO the attorney by the chairman
OF the committee must be evident to
every close observer The purpose Of
some other members OF the committee
was also strikingly apparent, and was
not by any means friendly to the re-
spondont
Many questions put TO the witness
and repeated in different forms were
clearly endeavors to confuse and on
tanglo him, 80 as to place him In false
position We think that, on the whole,
Senator smoot acquitted himself admir-
ably considering the situation. with q
sharp and practlced attorney firing at
him rapidly such queries as those that
appear IN the record, followed mp by
similar interrogatlons from different
members and made still more difficult
20 reply 90 BY the half sarcastic and
wholly casuistlc Inquiries by the chair
man. the witness was placed in very
difficult position, rendered more try
ing by the protracted sitting which he
endured while not In the full measure
of his accustomed health and strength
The attitude OF his ndulsltors had the
appearance OF hostility, and certainly
exhibited no sympathy with him OF
his cause, whatever may have been the
actual feelings ana views of those mem
hcrs OF the committee who attended the
hearing
one OF the strong efforts put forth
by the attorney for the protestants aud
by the chairman Of the committee. was
10 make Senator smoot appear to be
in the wrong, because he did not per-
sonally complain against leading au.
thortles Of the Church for living with
their plural wives whom they had mar
ried previous to the Manifesto of 1890
and had not taken them TO task foi
their conduct, as though the Senator
was under any religious or legal obi,
cation to SO complain or instruct OF
protest, Everybody here who knows
unt,thtpe, nf tI,, ,,uditi,.,t a. ietI,,y D., 90
the rules OF the Church, understand,
that il was none Of Reed Shoots bust.
ness to undertake any such task
Another piece Of sharp practice wal
the endeayor 20 make the witness give
his view Of what other people might
think without any power TO Learn
the thoughts Of others he was presse,
TO tell what he thought they thought
lie was also supposed 10 know al
about the private lives OF men will
whom he was ps
capacity when ho had not even visit.
ed their homes or become acquainted
with the members Of their households
II the same rule were applied to his in.
terogators I'm reference to the domes.
tic and other relations Of their fellow
Senators, how would they regard tn,
queries and the querlsts and wha
kind OF replies, &c any would they b,
likely to make? But OF course that q
another matter
SO IN regard TO the trap set for IN,
Senator 70 induce him to place a d.
vine command or injunction above am,
in conflict with the law Of the land
lie was asked you think the laws O
God are superior TO tho laws OF mann
TO this he responded 81 think the law
OF God upon conscience Of man arr
superior" What answer would am!
man. whether President or Senator o
Judge or simple citizen who professe
TO be "a Christian, give TO such a ques
tlon different from that we have quot
ed?
Senator Smoot made n clear distlnc
ton between a revelation from God Z,
him direct. and one that came merel,
through some rule Of the Church. II
the latter case, II Il was in conaic
with the law Of the land, he expressed
the opinion that every man would as
on his own free agency and ODE!