The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-04-21
INTO ROBERTS
PERSONAL LIFE,


the church and Of binding force upon
all members. He admitted that to dis
obey any of those laws would subject
the member to liability to church dis
cipline. The witness was asked then
IN regard to polygamous cohabitation,
and said that he and many others were
living in polygamy at the time the rule
| was made against such cohabitation,
and that they considered themselves
under moral obligation to live with the
wives they had married.
Morally Bound to His Wives.
DO you think you are morally
bound to cohabit with all of your
wives?" Chairman Burrows asked.
II do"
How many children have your"
Thirteen living"
How many not living?"
Two"
when was the last one born?"
About two or two and a half years
| ago."
| Mr.. VanCott, in cross examination,
asked in regard to the rule which per-
mits officials of the church to enter
| into politics, and the witness said he
regarded it as merely a leave of alb
sence from church official duties dur
| ing incumbency of political office"
He said he did not regard it as an
| Endorsement by the Mormon Church.
| 1t was brought out that in his first
| canvass for office, when he had not
| the consent or leave of absence, he
was defeated. In his second can
vass, he obtained the leave of alb
| sence," and was elected.
| Mr.. Bailey asked number of
questions regarding the witness views
of his obligations as a citizen and
| whether there could be a religious OBJ
| legation which would justify him in
| denying his services to his state to
discharge duties which would devolve
Upon him by the acceptance of po-
! litical position.
Mr.. Roberts said the emergency
might arise whereby an official would
resign his political office If the will
| of his constituents would not permit
| him to perform his duties in harmony
with the church mandates.
Influence of the Church.
The inconsistency of the rule which
| compels a good citizen to obtain the
consent of a non-political organization
was tho subject OF many questions in
which Senator Bailey took the leading
part. He called attention to the church
| rule which forbids an official to ac-
| cept an office without the consent of
the church. unless he resigns his office
| in tho church or is reduced to the
ranks"
In the event of such a crisis" said
the witness. 81 think one would have
to rely on the individuals patriotism.
But patriotism and religion in such
a case would be in conflict" said Sen
ator Bailey. "At one time you dened
the church. did you not?'
| 81 did,"
"And you were defeated?"
"Yes"
Because you refused to submit TO
| the orders of the church,
81 Think I was enlightened by the
church. said the witness.
"And when YOU were enlightened and
did submit to these orders you were
lelected?"
ST was"
Needed in Elections.
Senator Bailey asked the witness II
it 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 ltallah
vote was sought in other COM
munities
''And the negro voter" interrupted
Mr.. Worthington.
az believe not said Mr.. Roberts.
There may be individuals who trim
their sails that way, but not the
church"
IT believe" said Senator Bailey,
that the first election was carried by
the Republicans, the second by the
Democrats, the third by the Repub-
licans. The next appears to be our
turn. That appears to indicate that
some influence has been brought to
bear on the church"
Chairman Burrows inquired: "If you
were invited to accept political Of
fee would you feel at liberty to ac-
cede to the request without first get
ting consent from the church,"
'I think not"
would not feel at liberty to run for the |
officer"
THAT would depend upon the emer- |
gency and which was the more bind |
ing. my duties as an officer of the |
church or my duties as a citizen"
And If you decided the church |
should be considered first?"
"Then / should decline the Office" |
"Well If the church should refuse |
consent and you should still accept the |
office, what action would be taken by |
the church,"
II would probably be called upon for
an explanation"
"What if you should inform the
church that you regarded your duty |
to the state above that to the church |
Would the attitude of the church be /
one of hostility"
II cannot believe there would be any |
action taken politically"
The Endowment House.
Chairman Burrows asked the witness
whether he ever had been through
the endowment house.
Eyes, SIR
Can you not tell us in regard to
this ceremony" asked Chairman Bur-
rows.
Il cannot. l do not feel at liberty
to do So"
Why not?"
II consider myself in trust and not
at liberty to disclose what takes
place."
Mr.. Roberts said that the obliga-
tons were secret and he thought them
not unlike the oaths of the Masonic
order or other secret societies.
What would happen II you did re-
veal what took place within the tenn
ple?" asked the chairman.