The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-26
ASKED FOR PROJECTS.
Mormon Witness Appeals 10 Snoct
Investigation Committee.
CANNON FEARED PROSECUTION

CANNON FEARED PROSECUTION
When Assured OF Protection. He An
swered Most Of the Questions, But
Evaded Those Relating to "Endow-
ment House" Obligation.
Washington. April 22-The feature
of the hearing in the Smo0t case be
fore the senate committee on priv
leges and elections was the testimony
of Angus Nj. cannon. for % years the
president oi the largest Morm0a stake
in the world. The testinNny was OF a
personal character. dealing with the
conviction OF the witness on charges
of Dolygamous cohabitatiOn. and was
dragced from him under protest that
ne De protected from any peril or la
biuty TO prosecution for what he re
yealed. When assured that his plural
marriages. under the statute of imita-
tons. could not be used as evidence
against him. he answered most of the
questions asked. His testimony was
no less sensational than that given by
President Smith early in the inyestiga
ton.
The sensation of the hearing oc-
Cured when Mr.. Tayler examined Mr..
Cannon in regard to his various mar
riages. Mr.. Tayler asked the witness
when he was first married. and he an
swered: con July rs, 1888"
"To whom?' sarah Maria Nous
ley"
"Who neXt2"
Mr. Cannon stood mp and his voice
shook with great emotion as he said.
II beg an opportunity TO explain and
10 ask a question of the chairman be
lore I proceed Nineteen years ago ]
was brought into great trouble | was
prosecuted and sent to prison because
acknowledged the mothers OF my
children as my families. was given
the opportunity of deserving my FAM
lies or going 20 prison-and | went To
prison.
81 was sent TO prison for eight
months and served six months when
the supreme court took mp my case
and I was released. While | was M
prison ] said to my associates who
called 10 see me: You could not come
here in honor: / could not stay ont IN
honor
For a long time have lived within
the law as lar as it was r'ssible to do
so i'm the face of the obligations 70 my
families. have TO; paraded my fam
lilies. but in honest pride have nour
ished them.
"The press OF the country has carl
catured President smith for the testi-
monv ne gave in regard to plural fami'
lies and If am asked 10 make SINH
lar exhibitions Of my family | appeal
for protection from any consequence
that NAV be the result of my test
mony I will answer all questions in
regard 10 myself or the church if J
am assured that will not be placed in
pern by reason of the testimony
When assured that his evidence
could not be used against him Mr..
Cannon said he had six wives. and
children with five Of them. He mar
ried his last wife in 1886.
"Do Won live with all Of your wives
now?" Mr Tayler asked.
81 am sorry TO say that don't
"Why? Because you are now in
Washington and cannot be living with
them?"
mo. Because Of an agreement made
by the church which compels me to be
as modest as I can
Chairman Burrows asked in regard
to this agreement. and the witness
said he referred TO the manifesto Of
1890 declaring against a continuation
Of polygamous cohabitation.
"What has been the effect of that
manifesto upon you?'
at has made me more modest ana
I have been only as attentive as ! felt
common humanity required me to be.
what do you mean by that
81 mean that this church order has
made me more cold in my treatment
of them than should be
"Do you mean that You will go on
living with your plural wiyes?' the
chairman asked.
q will have TO improve greatly II ]
don't. / follow the dictation of my
conscience In the matter"
Mr.. Cannon declined to reveal the
oaths taken in the Endowment House.
saving that they were sacred cove
nants entered into with their Maker.
He said that only the very pure are
permitted 20 enter the Endowment
House.
"You mean such as yourself and
President Smith," said Chairman Bur
rows.
Again and again the witness evaded
questions relating 10 the character OF
the obligations taken in the Endow-
ment House. and finally said that God
had made it known that the sacred
covenants should not be spoken OF to
the world" He would not say that
there was any penalty attached to such
disclosures or whether promise was
given that the questions should not be
answered In answer to Senator over
man. Mr.. Cannon said the twelve apos-
ties had taken the Endowment House
oath
Great interest was manifested by
members Of the committee concerning
the character Of the Endowmen'
House marriage ceremonies. but It'll
could be obtained from Mr. Cannon.
When pressed too closely he answered
that he could not remember.
Carrie Nation In a MUSEUM.
Chicago. April 22.-Mrs Carrie Ma