The San Francisco call., 1907-02-20
UTAH SENATOR TELLS
Of MORMON CHURCH
Says He Has No Allegiance
With Any Religious
Organization
MARRIED ONLY ONCE
Declares His Conduct Has
Been Free From Any
Polygarnous Act
MARRIED ONLY ONCE

WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Smoot made his long expected speech
in his own case in the Senate today.
He read his address. which was de-
void of oratorical effort. and his voice
was at no time raised much above the
conversational tone. There was only a
fair attendance Of Senators, and the
galleries were half filled.
Smoot was warmly congratulated
by many persons when he took his seat.
He was followed by Senator Dilling-
ham, who made an argument in sup
port of the Utah Senator. Smoots
speech in part was as follows:
Mr.. President: In what / shall say to the
Senate l do not intend TO analyZe the volum-
to make an argument thereon The greater part
of this testimony has been before the Senate
for more than two years and all Of It for nearly
ane year II has been fully argued by the dis
tinguished Senators who have already spoken
upon this question. My own testimony, cover
ing more than 125 pages of the Record, Is before
you, and / do not feel that / should trespass
upon your indulgence in an extended discussion.
Indeed, I Should have been content TO submit
the case upon the record and speeches made by
others, without saying anything myself, except
that there are certain matters which can be
known only to myself. and l think the Senate
is entitled to frank statement from me as
TO my personal attitude respecting these mat
]
sonal attitude upon the subject of polygamy and
upon the subject of loyalty to this Government.
Upon these two matters / shall express myself
briefly but with entire candor
First, ! desire TO state, as have heretofore
stated TO the Senate and to the country. that
am not and never have been a poygamist
have never had but one wife, and she is my
present wife
There has been more or less prevalent opin-
ion that the doctrine OF polygamy was obligatory
upon the members of the Mormon church. when
in truth and in fact no such obligatory doctrine
/ nDE tod nlarf Ion arm 10
poygamy, originally made and always in
I terpreted. is permissible and not mandatory.
the adherents of that faith have ever been
polygamlsts. The vast majority of the adult
members from its foundation to the present have
been mOnogamists.
have no hesitation in declaring to the Senate
and TO the American people that, in my opinion,
any man who has married polygamous, wife
since the manifesto against polygamy should be
prosecuted. and, if convicted, should suffer the
penalty OF the law; and l care not who the
man might be, or what position he might hold
in the church. he should receive the punishment
pronounced by the law against his crime.
The testimony taken before the committee
tends TO show that there have been some
polygamous marriages since the manifesto l
believe sincerely, Mr.. President that such cases
have been rare. They have not received the
sanction or encouragement of the church.
+lsn the MYTH Of Mormon .sbierarcbicaI' dom
ination- The American Union is going to stand
it will continue free and enlightened Govern
ment 1t Is founded on the popular VIII or a
liberty loving people 1t discusses its public
questions and decides them according to rules
Of tolerance, humanity and justice. 1t is built
the undying principles OF human rights and
human freedom. As such it will advance. 1t
will grow II win increase 1t will progress
No other nation will prevail against it. 1t has
the favor Of God and the gratitude of its own
people to perpetuate it along the centuries to
come they have maintained it in the century
that Is past.
And, so far I concerned, I formally and
soemnly aver in every vote and action United
States Senator l shall be governed in the future,
as / have been in the past, only by my convic-
tions of what is best for the whole people Of
the United States under my oath to support the
constitution and laws of this nation.
In closing let say under my obligation as
a Senator that what have said under oath be-
fore the committee, that have never taken any
oath of allegiance, religions or otherwise. which
conflicts in the slightest degree with my duty
as a Senator q citizen. ! allie
glance to any church or other organization which
in any way interferes with my supreme ale
glance in civil affairs TO my country-an allie
glance which I freely, fully and gladly give.