The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-08

modern conditions. ASo, Zion Is going to borrow, and assure you that today we can get more than we have use for. Our slowness in payment in the past has not been due to an inability, but due to the no-borrow rule of putting our inn mense resources into cash
 Laments His Wife's Conduct.
 What am next to say fills me with ln- expressible sorrow. for I must in a way speak disparagingly of the woman who has borne me three children, and lived with me a wife for over thirty years, but much of this present trouble has been due to the attitude of my wife and son. I might say 1t had it's inception about two years ago, when I called both of them into my study and told them that I had made my will. By its terms I gave to the church 95 per cent of my estate. leaving the balance to Gladstone and his mother They were greatly incensed at this act upon my part and even accused me of being insane. They ridiculed the idea that l should leave so much to Zion but was firm with them for I knew 1t was the will of God that I was obeying But from that time on, they continually complained. My wife wanted Parisian gowns and my boy. although a bright lad, had little inclination to follow a religious career.
 T remembered the history of Israel and of the sons who refused to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, and how it brought them naught but ruin and damnation and I determined that this fate should not overtake my boy. I al- lowed him an income of 5000 a year. and still continue to do so, which l believe is enough for any young man. Their com plalnings became so insistent that in last April told them that money played too great a part in their thoughts. and told them that l had determined to in- crease my bequests to the church by 24 per cent. so that Zion should receive 97Ih per cent of the estate. and my wife 21a; Gladstone was to still receive his allow ance under this last arrangement, but he was not to inherit anything except that which his mother saw fit to leave him upon her demise.
 Gladstone Was Greatly Incensed.
 'phen the time came for me to look very evident to me that Gladstone could not be chosen for this office This was another thing which greatly incensed him, and melted him to say some of the bitter things which later were spread broadcast over the world.
 They say that l endeavored to incul- cate the tenets of polygamy in the creed which God gave me. The charge is not only monstrous but ridiculous on it's face. and I defy them to produce one scintilla of evidence to substantiate the accusation. My life has been that of a student and I can say before God that no man is purer than l in his private life. Doesn't my face tell this story
 Explains About Love Letters.
 Now as to the love letters which they say I wrote to Miss Ruth Hofer and Miss Harriet Ware Let us take up the last case first. It is an important one because of the scandalous tongue of Mrs. Emily Ware. the mother of Harriet, to whom is due this entire talk about polyg- amy.
 Mrs. Ware was a poor music teacher in New York when she became a con vert to Zionism When she joined our colony We made her a teacher, and she was excellent one. But soon l was made aware that she had been spread ing stories which reflected on my moral character. I waited until I could secure documentary evidence and then summoned the woman to my office and accused her of spreading this scandal
 "She vigorously denied this, but when produced the letter she wilted and con fessed that what she had repeated was a malicious falsehood. I then produced the statement drawn up by my attorney. Judge Barns, which compeiied the wom- an to sign, telling her thar if she did not do so, I would Immediately have warra nts issued for the arrest of herself and her daughter. She signed the statement. and expelled her from Zion City The only connection whicf the girl had in the whole matter was that I found that she was in danger of becoming contaminated by her music teacher, a brilliant young Italian h a hal ma
 "As to Miss Hoffer. she was an nno- cent young girl, upon whom I looked as I would a daughter. She has been greatly and wrongfully maligned. and fear that much of this has been due 10 the insane jealousy of my wife.
 Acknowledges Act of Insanity.
 "1hey say that I am insane. The only evidence of insanity when I am willing to acknowledged is my act of appointing yoIiva to act as my deputy while l was away from Zion. The world will soon have an ample opportunity to judge my mental condition.
 ..I have been talking now for two hours and A half giving to the public what will he my only and final word until l have straightened out matters in Zion City.
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