Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-12
Allegation that Mormon Church UmrpI
Powers of the State.
MINORITY TAXES THE OPPOSITE VIEW
Report Says There is Nothing to Dis
qualify Him from Serving
SENATOR BAILEY MAKES A STATEMENT
Texas Man says He Agrees with
Majority, but Thinks Reso-
luton Of Expulsion
Necessary.

WASHINGTON. June 1.-THE majority
and minority reports Of the COMMITTEES on
privileges and elections in the case OF
Senator Reed smoot OF Utah were today
presented in the senate, the former by
Senator Burrows declaring that Mr.. smoot
is not entitled to his seat, and the latter
| by Senator Foraker, taking the opposite
view. At the same time Senator Bailey,
who Is member of the committee, stated
that while he concurred In the views OF
the majority, that Mr.. Smoot is not entitled
10 his seat. he was OF the opinion that
MT Smoot could not be deprived OF his
| seat under the constitution, except by a
| resolution Of expulsion.
In accordance with Senator Burrows re-
quest, an extra number of copies OF the
reports and Of the hearings in the case
was ordered printed. Mr.. Burrows also
gave notice that he would call up the case
'at the earliest possible moment. consis-
tent with the public business" and Senator
Foraker expressed his approval Of this an
nouncement.
Senator Smoot was present in the senate
chamber when the reports were presented.
He smiled broadly when Senator Bailey
made his statement. Under the plan suK-
gested by the Texas senator. a vote of
two-thirds would be necessary to vacate
the seat Of the Utah senator.
Majority Report.
The majority report In the Reed snoot
case, declaring that he is not eligible to a
| seat in the senate, which is signed by
Senators Burrows, Dolliver, Dubois, Pet
tus, Bailey, overman and Frazier, de-
clares that Mr.. Smoot Is a member OF the
first presidency OF the Mormon church,
! claiming divine authority to control men,
bers Of the church in all things temporal
and spiritual; that the nrst presidency
| and twelve apostles have encouraged
polygamy; that they control and have
controlled the political affairs of Utah;
and have brought about union Of church
and state: that Smoot comes to the senate
not as the accredited representative OF
! Utah. but as member OF the chief
hierarchy, which controls the church and
which has usurped the functions OF the
state.
The report further states that the Book
Of Mormon teaches polyEamy as a divine
institution, this revelation being OF higher
authority than the manifesto which pro-
hibits It; that the leaders of the church
could Danish Polygamy, but have not done
so. In the report the alleged polygamous
marriages-since the manifesto-of Abra-
ham H. Cannon. George Teasdale, Walter
Steed, Charles f. Neral. John w. Taylor
and NJ. F. Cowley are cited as proven as
evidence of the leaders position on the
subject. The exclusion OF Taylor and Cow
ley from the apostleship is cited as an ad-
mission by the church that these msn are
guilty of polygamy.
The report further charges the Mormon
church of excluding evidence by sending
| IxnyffR
rum manifesto is declared to be a trick
to beat the devil at his own game" thus
quoting witness.
As Bar as POIyEamist.
The majority report characteriEes a.
wholly untenable'' the position that be-
cause Smoot himself does not practice
polygamy, and there is no evidence 20
show that he has personally and ndi-
vldually encouraged the practice In Others,
he ought not to be condemned becauas
OF the acts OF his associates. 1t is charged
that Smoot is an inseparable part of the
governing body OF the Mormon church, and
those who compose that Organization form
unit, an entirety. and whatever is dons
; by that organization Ia the act Of each
and every member thereof and vhateve,
policy is adopted and pursued by the BODY
which controls the Mormon church. Mr.
smoot must be held to be responsible for
as a member OF that body"
The report declares that smoot knew
the polygamous practices of President
Smith and other church >officials, whom n.
. has sustained by his vote as an AnostIs
. aDd at no time uttered a word OF protest
/ against the conduct OF his associates. bu,
, on the contrary. has sustained them h,
, his silence. The report continues:
In the Judgment OF the committee M
, smoot is no more entitled to q seat in ~,
senaie than he would be II he were as.
sociaung In polyga NOUS oohabitatiou ufth
, plurality Of wives.
, The report discussed the political dontp.
! alton OF the first presidency and tveIv,
| apostles Of the church. which Il described
as most Injurious to the interests OF IN,
state, and says:
I Not only is Mr.. smoot one OF those b,
| OF Utah are dominated. but his eleetibn :,
the senate was, IL is believed, the reeult
OF such domination When Mr. smoot con
: senate he was careful TO obtain the .'oon
. sent OF the first presidency and ttyeiv,
5s5 sPIses TO 5,s of sfsnSdidaGy But this
was naturally regarded by the people n
= Utah; who were familiar with the Ways O.
4 the Mormon high priesthood as beinR
under the circumstances. equivalent 10 an
endorsement, and maze IL impossible 10,
0 anyone else TO become IN aspirant for III,
r.
e Oath of venEeaBee.
The hnal chapter OF the report "a d.
voted to the oath OF venGeanee. admins
, tered to those who go through the oers
, mony known Is taking the endowments
: The committee says II was proven that a,
oath was administered. expressed sub
n stantisil.' in this form
You and each OF YOU do covenant An,
y promise that YOU will pray and nevsl
= cease 70 pray Almighty God to avenge IN,
1 blood Of the prophets upon this nation AM
D that you Will teach the same to you
!, children and TO your chiidTen's chfldrel
unto the third and fourth generation
r The report continues:
b There can be no question IN regard {,
the taking OF the oath OF venEeance b,
2 Mr.. SnOot. He testified that ne wen
through the ceremony of taking the en-
n dowments in the year 1880 and the heal
Of the Mormon churches stated IN mi
n testimony that the ceremony Is now IN
same that II has always been
n An obligation OF the nature Of the on
before msntioned would seem 20 b who'll,