Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-06-16

Apt anu 1uN4te nave btTH
dropped from the list OF apostles. But
this fact IN no way counteracts the
influence OF the Mormon leaders In their
encouragement OF polygamy. When
Taylor and Cowley took their more
recent plural wives they were numbered
| among the apostles In good standing.
| The fact that they had taken plural
wives since the manifesto was we'll
known 10 their associates for months
aud years. But they were continued as
apostles. and no action was taken In
the case Of either until the facts were
revealed TO the world by this investiga-
ton. And Il is worthy OF note that
these apostles have not been COM
planned Of or brought 10 trial before
the Church courts for disobeying the
manifesto. nor have they been deprived
OF their offices or honors In the Church
(as was done I'm the case OF Moses
Thatcher for q political offense), but
they are still members Of the Church in
good standing, each still holds the office
Of an elder In the Church, and each is
stlll a member OF the high priesthood
Of the Church.
The dropping Of Taylor and Cowley
from the quorum OF the twelve apos-
ties was so evidently done for popular
effect that the act merits no considera-
ton whatever, except as an admission
by the first presidency and twelve apos-
ties that Apostles Taylor and Cowley
have each taken one or more plural
wives since the manifesto.
II is also proved that about the year
1896 James Francis johnson was mar
ried to plural wife, Clara Mabel Bar
Der. the ceremony in this instance be-
ing performed by an apostle OF the
Mormon Church To these cases must
be added that Of Mariner w. Merrill
another apostle: J. NJ. Tanner. superin-
tendent OF Church schools; Benjamin
Cluff, Jr, president OF Brigram Young
university; Thomas Chamberlain, coun-
selor 10 the president OF stake; Bish-
CD Rathall, John Silver, Winslow Farr,
Heber Bennlon. Samuel S. Newton, a
man named Okey. who contracted a
plural marriage with Ovena Jorgensen
In the year 1897, and Morris Nicholson
about the year 1902 I'm the case OF
Benjamin cum, Jr.. before referred
To-, the poygamous marriage was tacit-
~ sanctioned by President Joseph +.
Smith when he referred TO Sister
Cluf and the work she had been doing
among the children In Colonia Diaz,
Mexico
II Is morally impossible that all these
violations Of the laws Of the State of
Utah by the contracting OF plural mar
riages could have been committed with
out the knowledge Of the first presiden-
cy and the twelve apostles OF the Nor
mon Church. I'm two Of the above
cases, that Of George Teasdale and that
Of BENJAMIN Cluff. Jr.. the fact Of the
plural marriage was directly communi-
Gated 10 the president Of the Church,
Joseph r. Smith, and In the other
cases. with the possible exception of
James Francis Johnson the fact OF
plural marriage having been celebrated
was 50 well known throughout the
community that II Is not conceivable
that such marriages would not have
been called 10 the attention Of the
leaders NJ the Church Indeed there
was no dental on the part OF the first
presidency or any one Of the twelve
apostles that they learned of the fact
that plural marriages were being con-
tracted by officials of the Mormon
Church and that no attention was paid
10 the matter The excuse given by
them was that II was not their duty
10 interfere In such matters, that the
law furnished q remedy. Furthermore,
Il was shown by the testimony Of one
Of the twelve apostles and OF other Wit
nesses that under the established law
81 the Church no person could secure a
plural wife except by consent Of the
president Of the Church"
Suppression Of Testimony by Mormon
Leaders.
II Is fact OF no little significance In
itself, bearing on the question whether
polygamous marriages have been re-
Gently contracted In Utah by the con-
nivance Of the first presidency and
twelve apostles OF the Mormon Church.
that the authorities OF said Church
have endeavored TO suppress. and have
succeeded in suppressing. a great deal
Of testimony by which the fact Of plu-
raj marriages contracted by those who
were high In the councils OF the Church
might have been established beyond
the shadow Of doubt. Before the In
yestigation had begun Il Vas well
known IN Salt Lake City that Il was
expected 10 show on the part Of protest.
ants that Apostles George Teasdale.
John W. Taylor. and VI. r. Cowley and
also Prof j NJ Tanner, Samuel New
ton and others who were all high off,
Gals Of the Mormon church had re-
Gently taken plural wives. and that IN
1896 LILLIAN Hamlin WAS sealed 10 Apos-
Ne Abraham n. Cannon as n plural
wife by one Of the first presidency aud
twelve apostles of the Mormon Church.
All. or nearly an OF these persons ex-
ccpt Abraham n Cannon. who was de-
ceased. were then within reach Of ser
vice Of process from the committee.
But shortly before tho investigation
began an these witnesses went out OF
the country.
Subpocuas were issued FOR each OF
he witnesses named. but in tho case
~ Samuel Newton only could the pro.
cess ~ the committee be served Mr.
Newton refused TO obey the order "
the committee, alleging no rea-
son or excuse for not appear
ing II Is shown that John
W Taylor was sent out of the country
by Joseph r. Smith On real or pre.
tended mission for the Church. And
II Is undcnlably true that not only
The apostles. but also all other Of.
hcials II the Mormon Church. are AT
all times subject 10 the orders OF tho
governing authorities 81 the Church
II would be nothing short Of self
stultif cation Tor one 90 believe th1t
an these most important witnesses
chanced 20 leave the United States at
about the same time and without ref.
erence 10 the investigation All tho
facts and circumstances surrounding
the transaction point Ia the concm.
sion that every one of the witnesses
named left the country AT the Instance
~ the rulers " the Mormon Church
and 10 avoid testifying before the com
mittee. II Is. Furthermore. n fact
which can not Doe questioned that oy.
cry one Of these witnesses Is under tbs
direction and control OF the first presi-
dency and twelve apostles 81 the Nor
mon Church. Had those officials seen
~ TO direct the witnesses named 10 re-
turn 70 the United States and give their
testimony before the committee. they
would have been obliged TO do so.
The reason why the said witnesses left
the country and have refused 20 come