Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-12-12


Utah was discussed by Senator Bur-
rows in the senate today for more
than three hours. The senator had
carefully prepared his speech, which
received the closest attention through
out by a large attendance Of senator's
and crowded galleries. Senator Smoot
occupied his place in the chamber. No
Interruptions were made during the
entire speech, which was an arraign-
ment Of Mormonism and the RESPONSE
billy which attached to Mr.. Smoot
for Mormon principles as a member Of
the apostolic body of the church.
Mark Twain was an interested listener
in the gallery to a portion of the
speech.
Church Office His Chief offense.
Senator Burrows first reviewed his
torical facts in connection with the
establishment of polygamy by the
Mormon church. He said there had
been no proof submitted to sustain
the allegation that Mr.. Smoot Is a
polygamist, adding that the rerom-
mendation Of the committee on priv
ileges and elections in favor Of de-
claring vacant the seat of the Utah
senator. is not based on such charge.
Mr.. Burrows impeachment was
based entirely upon the connection of
Mr.. Smoot with the governing body
Of the church, consisting of the presi-
dency and the twelve apostles. He re-
ferred to this body as hierarchy and
SAID ~
"The power exercised BY this body IL
far reaching and commanding. hold
ing In Its grasp practically an entire
membership. Of the organization and
through 1t the domination of the state
by arrogating to itself and incuicat-
ing the belief In its followers that they
are endowed with supernatural powers
az prophets, seers and revelators,'
specially commissioned by the AL
mighty to dominante the inhabitants
Of the world, and that resistance to the
will of this theocracy Is rebellion
against God. The testimony fully
sustains the allegation that the Nor
mon priesthood IL vested with SUI
preme authority In all things. tenn
poral and spiritual and that the first
presidency and the twelve apostles are
supreme In the exercise and transmits
sion Of this authority"
| Whip Hand in Politics.
He said that ''since the admission Of
Utah into the union the people OF the
state have been, II possible. more
completely under the domination OF |
the Mormon hierarchy than during the
long years Of their territorial ex-
istence.' and in support Of this state |
ment, added:
Immediately and at the very first |
election thereafter, the hierarchy re-
sumed its domination in state affairs,
taking possession Of every official po-
sition in the state government and
have held them ever since with un-
yielding tenacity. The only office held
by a uon-Mormon under a state gov
eriment during the ten years OF its
existence, as an elective office, has
been the attorney general"
He cited many instances Of politt-
cal interference, not only In Utah.
but adjoining states, and quoted at
length the church manifesto Of 1898
requiring members to obtain the con-
sent of the hierarchy before coming II
candidates fop office. Sm00t had been
compelled to obtain this permission.
He was nominated by the hierarchy"
said Mr.. Burrows, and the selection
ratifSsd by tlss legislature He went
on: /,
No more cunningly devised scheme
could possibly be concoctsd to put the I
church n politics and make it pOten- {
tial therein than this. From the mo-
ment It Is known that a candidate has
the endorsement Of the church and
81 IL
candidate, that moment he has back of
him the whole power Of the Mormon
church and his election Is assured
There has been NO case In which al |,
candidate Tor a high office In Utah
has gained the consent Of the church &
to run and has been dsfeated-
He said that Mr.. Shoots memb r.
ship in the church governing body, ,
which inculcates belief In polygamy, 1
is conceded Concluding that the men,
bers Of the hierarchy teach polygamy t
as a principle OF human conduct, he
took up the question as to whether
they practice it. On that point he
said:
Dsfyinp Laws q the Land.
1.-The evidence upon this point is SO
complete and overwhelming as to leave ,,
no doubt as to the truth Of the allie
cation. Ths truth is undubitable tnat
in spite OF the manifesto OF 1890, is 4
sued by the head Of the church, con-
selling the suppression of polygamy, in
spite of the expressed inhibition Of
the constitution Of the state and OF the
statutory prohibition OF the common 8
wealth, it appears that a majority OF ,
the members Of this hierarchy has
and persfstently lived in {
polygamy and IL today defying the
laws OF the land prohibiting such
crimes. The record Is so shocking as
to challenge creduifty."
Referring to Smiths confession of
five wives and ~ children. Mr.. Bur- I
rows said: I
III the public press Is to be credited, I
this number has been augmented dur