The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-04-22
ROBERTS REFUSES
THE SECRET
lie Declines to Give Up Inside
Workings of Endow-
ment House

All ASSOcldleu FTeSS TSpOTI AIOIu
Washington says:
With the reopening of the investiga-
ton in the Reed Smoot case before the
senate committee on privileges and
elections, the prosecution devoted con-
siderable to drawing from Brigham II.
Roberts the character Of the oaths
which are said to be necessary for a
Mormon official to take In order to
have the support of the church for
political office. Members of the COM
mttee showed an equal interest In the
obligations which are said to be taken
by Mo- mons who go through the en-
dowment house."
Along these lines much evidence
was brought out. 1t was shown by
Mr.. Roberts testimony that without
the consent of the Mormon church he
failed of election to a seat in congress
and later with church recognition OF
his car rdidacy he was elected. In re-
lation to the endowment house obliga-
ton Mr.. Roberts was extremely reti-
cent. He said that the sacredness of
the secrecy was such that he could not
re, cal it to the world. and that If he
did so he would lose caste with the
church as having betrayed trust.
Portions of the testimony given by
Mr. Robe ts, especially In regard to
his reasons for maintaining pnlygam-
Gus cohabitation with his plural wives,
was almost a duplication of the testi-
LIST, MI
have heen on the stand. He said he
re garded the laws OF God as higher
than the laws of the land and that
his moral obligation to his wives was
greater than both the laws of God and
man.
Mr.. vancott asked In regard to the
rule which permits officials of the
church to enter politics. The witness
said he rega ded it as merely leave
of absence from church official duties
during incumbency of political office"
He said he did not regard 1t as an en-
dorsement by the Mormon church. 1t
was brought out that in his first cam
vass for office when he had not the
consent or leave of absence he was
defeated In his second canvass he
obtained the leave of absence" and
wan elected.
| Replying to a question by Senator
Bailey, Mr. Roberts said the emergen-
cy might arise whereby an official
should resign his political office when
the will of his constituents would not
permit him to perform his duties In
harmony with the church mandates.
Senator Bailey called attention to
| the church rule which forbids an olli-
cial to accept an office without the con-
sent of the church unless he resigns
| bis Office in the church or Is reduced
to the ranks"
I'm the event of such crisis" said
the witness, II think one would have
| 10 rely on the individuals patriotism"
But patriotism and religion in such
case would be in conflict said Sen
ator Bailey. "At one time you defied
The church, did you not?"
II did"
"And you were defeated?"
YES"
Because you refused to submit to
the orders of the church,"
Il think / was enlightened by the
church." said the witness.
And when you were enlightened
and did submit to those orders, you
were elected?"
II was"
Can you not tell US in regard to this
ceremony" asked Chairman Burrows
II cannot. I do not feel at liberty
to do so. l consider myself in trust
and not at liberty to disclose what
takes place."
Mr.. Roberts said the obligations Were
secret and he thought them not unlike
the oaths Of the Masonic order or other
secret societies.
What would happen is you did re-
veal what took place In the temple?'
asked the chairman.
Il would lose caste and be regarded
as betraying a trust. If I keep faitf
/ cannot disclose what takes place
After much discussion 1t was decided
that the line of questioning pursued
by the defense was not in order. II
view of the witnesses refusal to state
the nature of the obligation. Attorne,
Worthington asked If the obligation dlt
not relate entirely 10 spiritual affairs
whether temporal affairs In any wa,
were affected by 1t. Senator Bale,
said he did not think the question ha
any bearing or that It would In an
manner influence the committee In 1t
final decision. and the witness wa
permitted to answer. He said he be
l.eved the obligations related specific
ally to spiritual affairs.