Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-13
sMOOT LISTENS
To ARRA|GNMENT
CARLISLE BEGINS ARGUMENT
AGAINST SENATOR
Curious Women Crowd Committee
acknowledgements of Mr.. WORTH
ington Will Not Be
Answered
By Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, April 12-Argu-
ments in the case of Senator Smoot
were begun today before the senate
committee on privileges and elections,
after an inquiry extending over three
years into his right to retain his seat
Former Secretary of the Treasury
John G.. Carlisle opened for the pro-
testants. He will be followed by A. S.
Worthington of counsel for Mr.. Smoot
The members of the committee present
were Chairman Burrows and Messrs.
Foraker, Knox, Dolliver, Dillingham;,
Dubois, Bailey, Overman, Frasier and
Pettus.
The committee room was crowded,
most of the spectators being women
Mr.. Smoot was there, as we'll as sew
eral prominent Mormons who have as
sisted Mr.. Smoot in his defense. The
Utah senator apparently was not con-
cerned as to the outcome of the pro-
ceedings.
Utah Politics Dominated
Mr.. Carlisle reviewed first the testi-
mony of President Joseph Smith and
other Mormon officials, to show that
the first presidency and the twelve
apostles are a self perpetuating body,
responsible for everything that is done,
either spiritual or temporal. Mr.
Shoots membership in this body, as
serted Mr.. Carlisle, made him equally
responsible for any wrongdings under
the laws of the nation. He said the
Mormon church is more than a church;
it is a commercial and political or
ganization. He criticised at some length
length church control over candidates.
of its members for public office, and
asserted that the situation is such that
the politics of Utah can be dominated
by the Mormon church at will.
Says Apostles Are Supreme
Senator Knox inquired of Mr.. Car
Isle whether he contended that the
laws of the church require members to
submit to the jurisdiction of the church
laws when in conflict with the laws
of the state and nation.
Mr. Carlisle replied that that was his
contention and that the officers of the
church could do nothing without the
consent of the apostles, of whom Mr..
Smoot is one.
Speaking of the endowment house
oaths Mr.. Carlisle admitted that he did
not know the exact form of the oblt-
cation taken, but he believed it could
not be disputed that some oath of the
character described by several wit
nesses is administered, and that each
person taking the ceremony assumes an
obligation to aVenge the blood of the
prophets upon this nation.
Should DisquaIify Smoot
Mr.. Carlisle contended that the sem
ate or house should determine the fit
ness of it's members to serve, in the
same manner as if constitutional pro-
visions relating to them did not exist.
He declared that the expulsion of a
senator cannot be made because of
something that occurred prior to the
beginning of his terms; that expulsion
must be for an act committed as a
member of the legislative body, and
that this would require a two-thirds
vote of the senate. He contended that
the case against Mr.. Smoot is to dis
qualify him for service, and that it
can be done by passing a resolution
to the effect that Senator Smoot lacks
the requisite qualifications, and the
seat therefore can be vacated by ma
jority vote.
When Mr. Carlisle closed he an
nounced that he would not attempt to
answer the arguments of Mr.. Worth
ington, which will be made tomorrow
at IL o'clock.