The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-01-21
SENATOR SMOOT
SPEAKS FOR SELF
The Committee Pays Thought.
full Tribute to His In
digestion

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 20.-Tn-
terest in the Smoot Investigation was
stirred today by the unexpected de-
termination to put Senator Smoot ON
the stand in his own behalf. without
waiting for other witnesses now en-
route from Utah. The senator was nm
der direct and cross-examination all
day and frankly answered most of the
questions asked. He acquitted himself
exceilently and appeared to make a ia
Sorable impression on the members of
the committee. At 4: 80 d. M an adj
Joufnment was taken out of conSidera-
ton for the witness, who is suffering
with Indigestion
Inc examination related to matters
intimately connected with church pol
icy and the senator's duty toward the
church as compared with his duties as
a senator. He said he had not taken
any oaths that would interfere with
loyalty to his government. His recol-
| lection of the endowment house cere-
| mony was indistinct, he said, but he
was sure there were no obligations
taken to avenge the blood of prophets
upon either "this nation" or this gem
| Grafton" as had been testified for the
prosecution. He said the Mormon
church was not the slightest factor in
| his senatorial candidacy.
Has Not Advised PoIysamy
Taking UP the charges in the protest
| Mr.. Warrington asked
Have you since you became amapos-
| tie promulgated or advised the practice
| of polygamy?" ct have not"
1T is charged that the president of
| the Mormon church and a majority of
| the twelve apostles now practice polyg-
amy and some have taken plural wives
since 1890. Have you any knowledge
| on that subject except that produced
here?" 81 have not"
1T is said these things have been
| done with the knowledge and consent
of Reed Smoot." ''That is not true
1T is said that plural marriage cere-
monies have been performed by apos-
| ties" Not to my Knowledge
ut is said that all of the first presi-
| dency and apostles encourage and
countenance polygamous cohabitation.
Do you?" II do not"
| Mr.. Tayler, in crosse examination,
| asked about the Cannon Hamlin al
legged marriage. Senator Smoot said
that when Lille Hamlin went to Cleve-
land it was understood she was mar
| rled to Cannon before the manifesto.
He said ne believed now that the mar
riage took place about 1896.
Had Best of Mothers
you have been a Mormon all your
! llfe?" asked Mr.. Tayler.
Eyes, sir; but not very active one,"
| replied the senator. He explained this
by the statement that he never had
held any office of Importance until
1895. He said he had faith in his re-
ligion and that his faith had increas-
| ed and his convictions deepened since
he became an apostle OF his faith in
| his parents, Senator Smoot said:
No man ever had a better mother
| in the world than / had"
1t had been brought out previously
that the senator's mother was a plural
wife. He said he believed the revela-
ton in regard to polygamy was re-
ceived by Joseph Smith, but he did not
believe in the practice of polygamy
against the laws of the land, and since
the last decision" Of the supreme
court he had openly opposed the prac-
| tice.
ST believe that the men who took
| plural wives before the manifesto took
! them with the sanction of God. No
law of the land could dissolve the re-
lations, but it could interfere with the
| carrying out of the marriage con-
! tracts" he said.