Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1904-01-25
WITH OUR NATIONAL LAWMAKERS
The Senate ard House Regularly at
Work-What They are Doing.
Still Examining Smoot.

The cross-examination of the respon-
dent terminated earlier than expected
and several other witnesses for the de-
Tense were examined. 1t was the judg-
ment of the committee On elections and
privileges that only a few more wit
nesses would be put on the stand, and
except for some documentary evidence,
the Investigation may concluded in a
day OF two.
The crCss-examination of Senator
Smoot resulted in an absolute refusal
70 testify in regard to the Endowment
ceremonies. He also asserted that it
was not his bushes stO call to ac-
count President Smith, of the Mormon
Church, because of the fact that Smith
admitted to the committee that he was
living in violation of the laws Of the
land. Three other witnesses refused
to tell the committee the character of
the Endowment ceremonies.
After testifying that President Smith
was supreme as head Of the Mormon
Church, Senator Smoot was asked: DO
you think the President of the Church
communicates directly with God-has
direct revelation?'
IF GCd desires to speak to his peo-
pie, it would be through the President
Of the Church."
In answering a question as to his be-
lief in modern prophecy. Senator Smoot
said: Men speaking today under the
inspiration Of the Lord-their, counsel
is just as good as that of the prophets
that spoke under inspiration in ancient
| days."
Senator Smoot said he only took the
Endowment ceremony once, but that he
could not say what the ceremony was,
as he did not have my definite recol-
lection of it.
'Is there anything in the ceremony
about avenging the blood of the mar
tyrs of the Church,"
There is not"
How long did it take to perform
this ceremony"
From beginning to end, about three
or four hours"
Estate what you are able to recall
of it."
Il would much rather not"
why not?'
Tor conscientious reasons. | made
an oath with my God, not with any
man, not with the President Of the
Church, but l did make a VOW that l
would keep these Endowment cere-
monies sacred, and not reveal them to
anybody, and | have kept that all my
life"
WAS there any penalty attached for
the violation of your obligation?"
It prefer not to say anything fur
ther?"
81 you remember whether there
was or not?"
81 prefer not to say anything fur
tAer."
DO you know why the oath of Sc
crecy was imposed?"
at is purely a religious ordinance
refers absolutely to a mans hereafter,
and has nothing whatever to do with
anything ether than mans relation to
his God, and l suppose that it is an
ordinance in the Church, and the rule
is that it be not revealed"
DO you know how much money is
paid the Church annually in tithes?"
asked Senator Overman.
MI. Smoot responded that the Church
income was some years more than a
million, and some years less. The
1ulCl lC SdIQ, IoS Napll1l
in industrial institutions, hIt N nearly
every case a minority OF the stock.
Chairman Burrows asked: "You
beard the testimony Of President
Smith, that he is living in defiance of
the laws of the land?'
yes, sir"
And that he is also living in def
ance Of the Divine law?'
Eyes, sir, and l heard the qualifca-
tons he made"
HAS the Church proceeded against
him because of his violations of the
laws??"
ut has not"
HAS there been any attempt to try
him because he is living in polyga-
Elous cohabitation?'
There has not"
did you see him after he testified
before this committee?"
The Senator said he had seen the
Fl resident of the Church, both in Wash
ington and in Utah. after his testi-
mony, and had made no protest to him
concerning his Of living.
You nave not sought to bring him
to trial in any manner?" asked the
chairman.
81 have not"
do you intend to-"
81 do not"
Mr.. Smoot admitted he sustained
President Smith, but only as President
Of the Church.
do you teach ~polygamy"
Il do not"
do you preach against polygamy or
unlawful cohabitaticn?"
81 never have. l do not know why
I should. It is not a tenet of the faith.
It has been suspended, and l think it
would not be proper for me to bring it
W"
Would Tax Indian Lands.
The consideration Of the statehood
Dill was continued i'll the Senate and
Mr.. Stone spoke for two hours in OPP
position to it. The proposed renuner-
alton to American fur sealers who suf-
fered losses because Of their suppress
sion also was debated at some length,
but no action was taken on it.
Mr.. Stone proposed an amendment to
the Statehood bill providing that all
allotted lands shall be subject to taxa
ton. He said the bill as it stands
confers upon the Indians Of Indian Ter
r;+o,,, +bo r;rb+o of oiti1apc uyhi1o 70