The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-21
WILD RUNORO HEARD
 IN ST. PETERSBURG
GOSSIP SAYS THAT MIRSKY IS TO BE SUPPLANTED AND THAT PROMISED REFORMS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.

St. Petersburg, December 20.-The delay in the issuance of the imperial manifesto outlining reforms, has led to the widest rumors, according to which Emperor Nicholas has turned back on the idea of making any concessions, the immediate downfall of Interior Minister Sviatopolk- Mirsky Is imminent, and the prospective nomination of Lieutenant-GeneralK Klei- gols, governor general of Kieff, as his successor, may pc looked for.
 These reports, according to the Asso- ciated Press are entirely without foun- dation. It Is beyond question, that the measures shortly to be announced, will be entirely unsatisfactory to the extrem- ists, and to many liberals who will be content with nothing less than complete revolution of the government. The propo- sition for constitution, and the convoca- tion of a council by the emperor, after careful consultation with his minister's and other advisers, was rejected as im- practicable and impossible under the ex- isting conditions, but what is termed a definite programme of national measures of reform in the direction of liberalty has been decided upon, and shortly will be announced At the same time, in or der to put a stop to the ferment Into which the country has been thrown by the present agitation, the announce ment will be made in such fashion as to leave the people under no Illusions re- garding the governments position.
 names of persons he desires to have sub poenaed as witnesses for the defense.
 The protest against Senator Shoot and his denial of the charges were called to the attention of the committee by MT. Taylor, who said he would endeavor to prove the correctntss of the charges all legged by recognized Mormon works. Ob- lection was made by counsel for MT. Shoot to a book published by Hartley Pratt on the ground that 1t has not been shown that 1t is one of the accepted doctrines of the church.
 Chairman Burrows suggested that the counsel agree as to what should be ac- cepted but MT Taylor said 1t would be impossible for them to get together
 Engaged in Heated Controversy.
 Chairman Burrows decided that MT. Taylor should prepare a statement or what he intended to offer. and the com mittee would then decide what to accept. Counsel for opposing sides engaged in a heated controversy over certain alleged works of the church. Finally Apostle Penrose was called to the stand and ad- mitted himself to be familiar with church work. Mir. Penrose said Hartley Pratt was one of the most eminent writers on theology of the church. Pratt's works are not owned by the church. but by the heirs of Pratt. Several other works were held by MT. Penrose not to have been works of authority, but merely books or reference Mir. Taylor referred from one book to another. Most of them were works of reference, although the various books, he said, contained many matters which are subject to dispute.
 Chairman Burrows decided that declar- ations of leaders of the church and ex- tracts from declarations of the leaders of the church and extracts from docu- ments. they have been prepared are ad- missible as evidence tending to prove doc trines of church organization
 At the request of Attorney Worthlngton for MT Shoot the committees adjourned to January 10, 1905, when the respondent s side of the case will be opened.