The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-21
Church Officials in Politics.

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Church Officials in Politics. #
Mr.. vancott In cross-examination ask
ed in regard to the rulo which permits
officials Of tho church TO enter politics
and the witness said he regarded It as
A merely ''leavo OF absence from church
1 official duties during the. incumbcncy OF
political Office"
i.; He said he ala not regard II as an
/ endorsement by the Mormon Church. It
was brought out that In his first can
,vass for office, when he had not the
consent or leave OF absence. he was
i donated.
In his second canvass he obtained the
leave OF absence" and was oleEcd.
Senator Bailey asked a number OF ques-
tons regarding the witness views Of his
obligations as citizen and whether there
could be a religious obligation which
would justify him In denying his SER
vices to his State to discharge duties
which would devolve upon him by a c.
ceptance OF a political position. /.
/ MIR. Roberts said the emergency might
arise whereby an official should resign
( his political Office II the will OF his cons
d stituents would not permit him TO per-
! form his duties In harmony with the
1; church mandates. 5s
The Inconsistency OF the rule which
compels good citizen to obtain the
Hconsent OF on-political organization
4 was the subject OF many questions, In
| which Senator Bailey took the leading
! part He called attention to the church
4 rule which forbids an official to accept
IAN office without the consent Of the
church unless he resigns his office In
the church or Is reduced to the ranks. !"
4 ~ In the event OF such a crisis" said
the witness. II think one would have to
rely on the Individual patriotism. = =
Patriotism and Religion in Con
flict. .t
"But patriotism ana religion In such
a case would be In conflict" said SEN
AT one ne t,mo you det,ed the church.
I did you not?''
| Isl did" s555 5
''And you were deteated7''
yea
Because you refused to submit to the
orders OF the church,"
1T think | was enlightened By the
church, said the witness.
"And when you were enlightened and
did submit to these orders you were
elected q
II was"
Senator Bailey asked the witness II
1t was not true that the political sup
port OF the Mormon church In Utah was
sought by political parties the same as
| the Irish German or italian vote was
sought in other communities.
"And the negro vote?' interrupted Mr..
! Worthington.
There may be individuals, who turn
Il believe. said Senator Bailey. that
9as fTs ssSG seccn fsff lid 3 ns R
u and the third BY the Republicans. The
\ next appears to 30 our turn, That ap-
3f Chairman Burrows inquired:
3icai office would you feel at liberty 10
|. y. g consent from the church2"
t9ltt"If your request were refused vol,
!would not feel ct liberty to-runf for the
,1"That would depend upon the emergsn-
cy. and which was the more bndtng-my
dutss an e aff!ssr Of the church
; "Ana + yoa decided the church should
Then ! should decline the office
!4i5f'Vell II the church should refuse con-
sent and you should still accept the Of
t t1Ss; T 3'e action would be taken by tho
II would probably be called upon for an
What II you should inform the church
THAT you regarded your duty to the state
above that 10 the church? Would tho
attitude Of the church be one Of hostil-
+ cannot beleev there would be any
action taken poll tlca Ivy i2E
ssqula Not betray His Trust.
Chairman Burrows asked the witness
whether he ever had been through tho
endowment house,
Can yasa1, not tell US IN regard TO this
Il cannot. do not feel atl!berty to do
why not?"
II consider myself in. trust and not at
liberty Ro e dSe9 aad what a TAXES se ossns
were secret and he thought then, not un-
like the oath OF the Masonic order or
other secret orders,
what took place ii the Tsmplef" asked
botrayinsg 'I trust Il / Keep faith can n
not disclose what takes. place
'"Then," pursued Chairman Burrows,
S"any person Who takes the endowment
house, Obligation Is under oath not to re-
veal t tts pas ~
''And Senator smoot could not reveal
his oath. OF that character?"
The witness nodded his head In ae-
Ray sxsa %sshs s ts spsaxss
a man S freedom In any political or re-
1'gTsG1s e w Tay; replied no thought not,
Barthell Identified Document,