The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-22
Admits He Married Anna Amanda
and Saria Maria MousIey at
One Ceremony.
SENSATIONAL TESTIMONY
Is Given by Patriarch and Stake
President of the Latter-Day
Saints.
ENDOWMENT HOUSE OATH
Is Sacred, the Polygamist Says,
and Cannot Be Proclaimed
to the World.


of to-day's hearing in the Smoot case be-
fore the Senate committee on privileges
and elections was the testimony of Angus
NJ. Cannon, for twenty-five years president
of the largest Mormon stake in the world.
The testimony was of a personal charac-
ter dealing with the conviction of the
witness on charges OF poiygamous con-
duct. and was dragged from him under
protest that he be protected from any
peril or liability to prosecution for what
he revealed When assured that his plural
marriages. under the statute of limitations.
could not be used evidence against
him, he answered most or the questions
asked The same frankness was not ap-
parent, however. when the witness was
pressed to reveal the nature of the oath
he had taken in the endowment house.
Like other witnesses, he declared that the
sacredness of that oath prevented him
from proclaSming ii TO the world. His
testimony was no less sensational than.
that given by President Smith early in
the investigation. He answered all ques-
tions or a personal character. but every
admission was made reluctantly, and re-
pies TO questions in regard to his numer-
Gus marriages were monosyllabic
as 1t was possible to make them.
When Mr.. Cannon was called to the
stand he said he has lived in Salt Lake
since 1S49. but had been blessed in the
Mormon Church when he was five years
old He is seventy years old, and now
holds the position of patriarch in the
Mormon Ch ch, having been designated
for that position by President Joseph +.
Smith, about two weeks ago. Patriarchs
the witness said. rank next to the twelve
apostles in dignity Mr.. Cannon said that
for twenty-eight years he had been presi-
dent of the Salt Lake stake of Zion.
SENSATION OF THE HEARING.
The sensation of the hearing occurred
when Mr.. TayIer examined Mr.. Cannon
In regard to his various marriages. Mr.
Tayier asked the witness when he was
first married, and he answered, Ion July
Is. 1855
ITO whom?'
Sarah Maria Mousley.'
who next?'
Mr.. Cannon stood up and his voice shook
with great emotion as he said: Il beg an
opportunity TO explain, and to ask a
question OF the chairman before L proceed
Nineteen years ago L brought into
great trouble. l was prosecuted and sent
TO prison because L acknowledged the
mothers of my children my families
i given the opportunity of deserving
my families going to prison. / went to
prison. l was sent to prison for eight
months, and served six months when the
Supreme Court took up my case and
was released While 1 was in prison L
said TO my associates VINO called to sec
me. you could not come here in honor,
i could not stay in honor For long
time L have lived within the law as far
as ii was possible to do in the face of
the obiiga lions to my families. / have not
paraded my families. but in honest pride L
have nourished them.
THE press of the country has carica-
tured President Smith for the testimony
he gave in regard to plural families. and
if I am asked TO make similar exhibitions
Of my family. / appeal for protection from
OF the testimony. L will answer all ques-
tions In regard TO myself. or the church,
IN per a bS Of that t S
Mr. Cannon sat down quivering with
ill-suppressed emotion. and Mr. Worthing-
ton asked:
Mr.. Cannon, have you any counsel?'
NO, SIR.
MIR worthington submitted to the chair
man that the witness should be informed
as TO his rights. and as 10 his liability
should he answer the questions which
might incriminate him.
T.
protected by the revised statutes, but
Mr worthinston said the statutes did not
nrevent persons who desired TO prosecute
the witness from taking the records of
was To be found the necessary evidence
for conviction.
at liberty to decline TO answer any ques-
tions he chose, but Mr. Worthington in
sisted that the refusal must be based on
the ground that the witness feared TO
incrimiuate himself.
MARRIED TWO AT ONCE.
Mr. Tayler observed that he did not
desire answers TO any questions which re-
lated TO marriages that not fully
exempted from prosecution under the stat
ute of limitations. and on that statement
the chairman directed that the question
concerning the second marriage of Mr..
Cannon should be answered The official
reporter then read the question:
ITO whom were you next married.
Anna Amanda Mousley-
Mr.. Tayler.
10 sarah Maria Mousley
Chairman Burrows asked in regard to this
agreement and the witness said he referred
to the manifesto of 1890 declaring against
q continuation of poygamous cohabitation.
what has been the effect of that mani
feSto upon YOU
eft has made me more modest, and have
beeu only as attentive as | felt common
humanity required me TO be-
What do YOU mean by that?
al mean that this church order has made
me more cold in my treatment of them than
i should be-.
chairman Burrows asked many questions
CONCERNING the attitude of the witness
toward the laws Of the land and the laws OF
God. both of ghich declared against pOyg-
amous relations and his obligation TO his
families Mr.. Cannon said he was meeting
the situation TO the best OF his ability and
trying rs nearly as possible To equalize his
SoyaIty to all of his obligations He related
The proceedings at the recent conference at
Salt Lake city. In which President Smith
had been SUPPORTED for the testimony he
had given I'm Washington
When asked II the people had censured
the president of the church for his testi-
mony. he said he had heard of no criticism,
but tkat they regretted the circumstances
which made such disclosures necessary.
Chairman Burrows asked the witness how
II was that the resolutions adopted at that
conference had not declared against polyg-
amcus cohabitation and did declare against
polyg
The witness replied that the question of
Tpiygamous conduct had not been men,
noned that IL understood that those
Who had plural wives shpuld not parade
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5. col. u