The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1904-12-17
IDAHO DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN
DESCRIBES MORMON METH
O1S IN THAT STATE.
MEMBERS VOTE As LEADERS DIRECT
RELATES INSTANCES OF INTER
FERENCE IN LEGISLATION
BY APOSTLE SMITH.

Washington, Dec 1.-THE first wit
| ness of the day in the Senator Smoo
| case was Mrs. Annie Elliott of Price
Utah. She is an elderly lady, who
went from Denmark TO Utah in 1877
and left the Mormon church in 1896
She was asked concerning the obliga
tions taken in the temple and was
requested to repeat as much of the
ceremonies as she could remember
In voice shaken with emotion Mrs
Elliott said that the obligations were
SO indelicate she could not bear to re-
peat them. Chairman Burrows told
her to take her own time and not to
be embarrassed.
By slow degrees Mrs. Elliott repeat
Cd the oaLhs of vengeance and the vari-
Gus penalties ascribed for revealing
any part of the ceremonies which
have been described by other wit
nesses.
At the request of Mr.. Tayler Mrs.
Elliott described the garments worn
by Mormons who have taken the en-
dowments. Senator Overman asked
Ii every Mormon in good standing is
compelled to wear the garments and
the witness said that all such Nor
mons wear the garments as under
clothing.
Looking at Senator Smoot Senator
Overman asked the witness if she were
sure every Mormon in good standing
in the committee room had the gar
ments on
Yes, sir, they have
The reply provoked laughter and
the witness repeated:
Il know they all have them on.
Senator Foraker asked the witness
IL she had ever heard of the endow-
ment house penalties being enforced
against any one She said she had
not.
Mr. Tayler asked if she were likely
to suffer by reason of giving testimony
here. Mrs. Elliott said she expected
that her business would suffer
Church a Power in Politics.
Charles III. Jackson of Boise City,
Ida, chairman OF the Democratic
state committee testified at length
concerning the growing power of the
Mormon church and its interference
in state affairs, which, he said, was
made the paramount issue by Demo
Gratis and Independents in the last
campaign in Idaho He said that
apostles of the church from Utah go
into Idaho and direct the people how
to vote. The witness described in de-
tail the fight being made by the Nor
mon church for the removal from the
state constitution of Idaho the test
oath against polygamists. He told OF
the visit of Apostle John Henry Smith |
for the purpose of directing legisla- |
tion and said that the influence of the |
church accomplished the passage of |
the sugar bounty bill. 1t is estimated |
that the bounty in 1903 amounted to |
$4,000 and in 1904 to $150,000. There |
are four refineries in the state and |
President Joseph Smith of the Nor
mon church is president of three of |
them. The fourth factory was con-
structed recently and is controlled by |
Gentiles.
Speaking of the influence of the
church on the political affairs of the |
state Mr.. Jackson said:
1t is impossible for any man or
any party 10 stand against the Nor
mon church in Idaho"
In describing the political conditions
Of the state Mr.. Jackson said six of the
counties are known as sol
Idly Mormon and that i'm all of the
southern counties the Mormons are in
and in that way, he said, the
church practically is in charge OF the
legislature, political conventions and
Ill gatherings at which the delegates
ire elected by the people.
The witness gave in narrative form
he history of the protests against
Mormon interference which had been
made by Democrats in the last cam
,aign. Mr.. Jackson said the Mormons
declared that not a vote would be
,iven the Democrats and, said the
they made good"