The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-14
FEARFUL 0ATHS
GUARD SECRETS
OF THE ENDOWMENT HOUSE.
HORRIBLE MUTILATION SHOULD
FOLLOW REVELATIONS.


elect Reed SmOOt of Utah--List or
the ObIiGatiOns-Morm Church
Alleged to BE Teaching Its ReIi-
SIon in the schools Mt Public Ex-
pensc-PolyEamous ExempIars.
Washington, Dec 1s.-Five witnesses
were examined to-day by the Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections
in the investigation of protests against
Senator Reed Smoot's retaining his seat
in the Senate.
The first described the Obligation
taken by persons who pass through
the endowment house and declared
that every one agrees to submit 10
mutilation of the person IL he or she
reveals what takes place during the
ceremony.
Two members of the faculty of the
Brigham Young University testified
that they have sustained polygamous
relations since the manifesto of 1890
and a teacher in the public schools as
serted that the church had religion
taught in such schools.
j. H. Wallis, Sr., of Salt Lake. said
he had stood proxy four times for mar
riages of living women to dead men.
He had been through the endowment
house twenty times. He was asked to
give the oaths taken by those who par-
ucipated in the ceremonies and this he
dld' together with description OF the
secret signs executed by each person.
Nearly all of the obligations were thar
those who took part would not reveal
anything they saw or heard on nenal-
ties of mutilation of the person. and
every one who passed through the tenn
pie, said the witness. was compelled to
agree to the conditions laid down nv
the priests.
The Penalties Imposed.
Inc penalties agreed to were given
by Mr.. Wallis as follows:
That the throat be cut from ear to
ear and the tongue torn out.
That the breast be cut asunder ana
the heart and vitals be torn from the
body.
That the body be cut asunder at the
NNfN@S fNi0 Allt DQWElS cut OUT.
That If demanded we will give all we
possess to the support of the church.
The next obligation was one Of chas-
tity, in which the obligator agreed
not to cohabit with any person not
given him or her by the priests.
Another obligation was one that we
would never cease to importune high
heaven to averge the blood Of the
prophets upon the nations of the earth
or the inhabitants of the earth. +
don't just remember which," said the
witness. This was followed bv a
quotation from the scriptures I think
Revelations, $40, The souls of those
slain cried aloud on the altars for ven
geance. -"
Mr.. Wallis. when cross-examined.
said he had always considered the OBJ
legations In the light of a joke, and that
he thought many others had consid-
cred them in the same way.
Plurality of wives.
George f. BromhalI president OF the
Brigham Young University, testified
that he had two wives, married before
1890. He said Senator Smoot fire.
quently addressed the students and
always urged them to obey the law.
Josiah Hickman, teacher in Brig
ham Young University, testified that
for ten years he lived with two wives
and had children by both of them. He
said he had taken no steps to conform
to law in relation to marriages.
Then as you understand It., you are
not legally married to your present
wife?" asked Mr.. Tayler.
mo, sir"
The witness said he took the woman.
who became his second wife in 1890, %
Mexico and that the ceremony had
been performed while they were walk
ing through the country. He said
there were no polygamous marriages
performed in the United States at that
time.
Mrs. Margaret Geddes of Salt
Lake said she became the plural wife
of William Geddes in Logan, Utah.
She had four children. Her husband
died in Oregon and she then went TO
her husbands first wife and there a
baby was born. She broke down cry
ing as she gave this testimony. II
was brought out that her husband
died thirteen years ago and that her
youngest child is five and half years
old. She said she had not been mar
ried a second time and refused to give
lne ndile VI tlti youHbc5l cHiid , 10
tier.
Are Taught About PoIygamists.
Arthur Morning, a teacher in the
public schools OF Utah. said he had
been called on 10 conduct religion
In his school. He read letters
from Box Elder Stake presidency in
structing him how to outline the Nor
mon class work
Mr.. Tayler offered in evidence pass
ages from the books on Morrnonism
sent TO the schools. These books con-
tained lessons for all grades from the
primary TO the advanced grades. The
lessons were largely composed OF
sketches OF the lives of prominent
Mormons. among them the president
of the church and the apostles, includ-
Ing Senator Smoot.
Senator Hopkins asked Mr.. Taylor
what he expected 10 prove by that.
I'VE are proving" said Mr. Taylor.
that the Mormon church is teaching
ts religion at public expense. and that
The lessons are largely composed OF
biographies OF men who are notorious
Iolygamists"
The committee adjourned until to-
morrow.