Show BALL S1IITH AND JONES Another Trio Added to the Peni tentiarys Population Yesterday morning at 10 oclock was the time set for the sentencing ot Messrs John Y Smith John P Ball and Thomas C Jones for the offense of cohabiting with more than one woman in the marriage relation The first name called was that of Mr Ball and in response a venerable and feeble gentleman gen-tleman tottered forward and stood facing fac-ing the judge The usual questions as to the future intentions of the defendant were put by the court and the usual reply I dont know what I will do I cannot say any thing about what I will do in the future was delivered return THE COUBT You cant say anything about it Can you not say whether ypu will obey the laws of the United states against polygamy and unlawful cohabitation MB BALLI embraced the principle of celestial marriage 15 years ago believing ieving it to be a command of God and I firmly believe it to be so now I cannot can-not promise to disobey any law of God THE COUBT It is not for you to say what laws you will or will not obey lC von break the law vou must take the consequences MB BALL That I am willing to do The promises not forthcoming the usual sentence of six months imprisonment imprison-ment in the Penitentiary and the regular regu-lar 300 and costs was inflicted and the defendant retired and gave way to THOMAS C JONES another white haired gentleman and the following follow-ing questions and answers followed in rapid succession THE COUBT Is it your intention Mr Jones to obey the law in the future ME JONES The law of Uod THE COUBT Yon do not then intenc to obey the law of the United States in reference to polygamy and unlawful cohabitation co-Habitation MB JONES Not an unjust law THE COURTIt is not for you to say what laws are unjust Are you a nativeborn or naturalized citizen MB JONES Naturalized THE COUET You took oath that you would support the Constitution and laws of the United States MB JOSES The law of God is above the laws of the United States the higher law includes the lesser THE COUBT the people of the United States have said the law against polygamy polyg-amy and unlawful cohabitation must obeyed MB JONESGod is above the United States THE COUBT You committed perjury when you took the oath to support the Constitution and laws and believed in the practice of unlawful cohabitation MB JONES I did nothing wrong I do not believe in unlawful cohabitation but in lawful cohalitatian lawful under Gods lawthe highest law THE COURTYou do not understand what you are takling of MB JONESOh yes I do It is you sir who do not understand and the people THE COURTYou must have respect for the Court sir or you will receive an additional punishment for contempt You cannot defy the law and treat the Court with contempt MB JONES I have not defied the law nor treated the Court with contempt TnE COUBT Do YOU know what the penalty is for this oflense Mr JONES Yes sir The same penalty was prompty inflicted in-flicted JOHNY SMITH the wellknown policeman police-man was the third man called There was some little interest manifested in this case as it was understood that efforts had been made by some of his friends to have him come within the lawTHE THE COUBT What is your intention Mr Smith as to the future Is it your intention to obey the laws of your country coun-try MB S JTn1 have always intended and endeavored to obey the law THE COURTBut is it your intention to obey it in the future MB SMITH As far as I know now I do not know what I may do in the future THE COURTDo you intend to obey the law MB SMITH I believe in polygamy and in supporting my wives and children dren THE COURTDo you intend to obey the law against polygamy and unlawful cohabitation MB SYITn1 desire to obev all the laws of the United States I have tried to obey the law in the past THE COUBT That is not an answer to my question Will you obey it i n the future MB SMITH I do not know what I will do THE COURTYoU have three wies will you live with your lawful wife and her alone MB SMITH I intend to support my wives and family If I break the Inn I will pay the penalty THE COUBT You say you have bee obeying the law MR SMITH Yes for a year past THE COURTDo you recognize this law as higher than the Church MB SMITH I believe the law to b supreme I would render to Ctesar tl things that are Csesars THE COURTDo you intend sincerely and honestly to obey the law AlB SMITH I do not know what I will do THE COUBT Have any of your friends been talking with you MB SMITH No my friends have urged me to obey the law THE COURTI suppose you do not intend in-tend to murderYou could promise not to steal MB SMITH I do not intend to I have never stolen but could not promise THE COUBT You have no confidence in what you believe or yourself You are not a good citizen You say you cannot promise to obey the law MB SMITH I do not intend to commit com-mit anv crime THE COBBT As yon do not intend to promise to obey the law you will be sentenced to imprisonment in tbe penitentiary pen-itentiary for the term of six month and to pay a fide of 300 and costs ot prosecution and stand committed until un-til the fine and costs are paid I should be very glad if men of your cass w4l1lld promise to exercise leniency toward any man who honestly intended to obey the law but as you will make 110 promise you will receive no benefit All three were taken to their temporary tem-porary abode on the bench during the afternoon |