The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-14
Attorney Worthington Admits
This Much in Defense
of SmOot.
DENIES THAT CHURCH
DOES SANCTION P0LYGAM, !
Witnesses for PrOtestants Are
Called "DisreputabIe" by
Apostles Counsel.

WASHINGTON, April 13.-The final
argument In the investigation of pro-
tests against Senator Reed Smoot being
permitted 10 retain his seat was made
today befort the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections by A. S. Worthing-
ton. counsel for the Utah Senator.
For the first time since the proceed
ings were begun three years ago. Mrs.
Smoot attended the session OF the com
mittee The number of spectators was
much less than during the Utah Sena-
tor S arraignment
Urgs Two-Thirds Vote.
In opening, Mr.. Worthington took up
the subject OF Mr.. Smoot's qualifications
10 serve as a Senator and followed this
by citing authorities In support Of his
contention that 1t requires a two
thirds vote OF the Senate to oust AIr.
Smoot.
Could Expel Smith.
Answering Mr. Carllsle's argument
that Utah might go so far as TO send
President Joseph L. Smith 10 the SEN
ate. Mr.. Worthlngton said that If such
should be the case he should be per-
mitted TO serve il ho gave up his plural
why's, anu llNeu OnIS Win MS legal
wife. In the event that Smith shou1I
fail to live in obedience TO the laws
said Mr.. Worthington. then he should
be expelled
Mr.. Worthlngton pointed out that Mr.
Smoot's life had been bameless and
that he is law abider I'm every sense
OF the word.
1t was contepded by Mr. Worthington
that plural marriages are no longer
no ,f tI,a
Mormon church. He said that Utah had
been 'raked and scraped" and the plu-
raj marriages brought to light since
the manifesto would not amount to one
year and that these offenders are now
virtually fugluves from justice.
Belief In Revelations.
Taking up Mr.. SmootS confession
that he believed in divine revelations.
Mr.. Worthington compared this belief
with services IN other churches where
divine guidance ls sought and argued
that Mr.. Smoot's belief ls the same as
that OF followers Of other creeds.
Moses Thatcher Case.
Senator Knox and other ozhcr mem
bers OF the committee interrogated Mr.
Worthlngton concerning the alleged ne
cessity of members OF the Mormon
church obtaining church consent
AZ OSIpillt lOT Office.
MT. Worthington read from the church
rule as laid down In the Moses Thatcher
case and construed this to mean that II
a high church Official desires to become
a candidate for public office It Is neces-
sary for him 10 resign his church Office
or be excused from duty in connection
with his church position. If IL conflicts
with duties to the public.
Activity in Politics.
1t was argued by Nh Worthington
that everything that has been charged
against the Mormon church I'm the way
of activity in politics and business was
known when Utah was admitted as a
State and that one of the first Sena-
tors from Utah WAS Frank ]. Cannon.
who was a Mormon and more subject
to criticism than Mr.. Smoot can be and
yet no protest was made against him.
"Disreptable Witnesses"
Witnesses who attempted to testify
concerning the endowment house cere-
monies. were criticised by Mr. Worth
ington as disreputable
He closed at IL. % o'clock. Chairman
Burrows inquired when counsel would
be ready With their printed arguments
1t was disclosed that both Messrs.
Worthington and Carlisle were going
out OF the city and that the printed
arguments could not be furnished be-
fore the middle OF next week II is Ox-
pected a date for vote on the case Will
be fixed by the committee soon after
ward