Evening journal., 1905-01-21
REED SMOOT ON
WITNESS STAND
Accused Senator Frankly
Answered Questions Of
Committee
TOOK No OATH OF VENGEANCE

Washington, Jan. p. -- Interest in
he smoot investigation before the
senate committee on privileges and
elections was stirred by the unexpect-
ed determination to put Senator smoot
on the stand in his own behalf, with
out waiting for other witnesses now
enroute from Utah. The senator ac-
quilted himself excellently and ap-
peared to make favorable impression
on the members Of the committee.
The examination Of Senator Smoot
related to matters intimately connect
ed with church policy and his duty
toward the church as compared with
his duties as a senator. He said he had
not taken any oaths that would inter
fere with his loyalty 10 his govern
ment. His recollection Of the endow-
ment house ceremony was indlstinct,
he said. but he was sure theSe We're no
obligations taken TO avenge the blood
of the prophets upon either this ma
tlon" or this generation" as had been
testified to by witnesses
Senator SmOot said he was born in
Salt Lake city in 1862. His father and
mother are both dead His mother was
a plural wife. Concerning his own fam
ily he said he was married September
II, 1884. and has but one wife. They
have six children. He said that at the
time Of his marriage he did not take
the endowments but that in 1880 he
had gone through the endowment
house at the request Of his father.
Mr.. Worthington asked Senator
smoot about the endowment ceremony.
and he replied; Il could not give it If
/ wanted to-"
"Why not?p Because I have no dis
tinct recollection Of the ceremony
Mr. Worthington read what wit
nessee have alleged to be the oath Of
vengeance" and asked Senator Smoot
II there was anything Of that character
In the ceremony. There was not"
WAS there anything of vengeance
upon this generation?' 'No sir"
"Was there anything about aveng-
ing the blood Of Joseph Smith,
"There was not And it would have
been very strange II there had been.
Joseph Smith was the instigator Of the
endowment ceremony, and 1t would
have been very strange II he had asked
his people to avenge his blood when he
was alive"
"Was there anything in the cere-
mony which would affect your loyalty
20 your country" There was not"
Taking up the charges in the pro-
test, Mr. Worthington asked; Have
you in any way since you became an
apostle promulgated or advised the
practice of polygamy?' Il have not"
1T is said that all OF the first presi
dency and apostles encouraged poly
gamous oohabltation. DO you?" Il d.
not"
Mr.. Tayler then took the witness fol
oross-examination.
'You have been a Mormon all youl
life?" asked Mr.. Tayler.
"Yes, sir; but not an active one.
replied the senator He explained this
/ by the statement that he never haI
held any Office of Importance unit
1895. He said he had faith in his reli
glon. and that his faith had increased
and his convictions deepened since he
became an apostle. OF his faith in his
parents. Senator Smoot said impress
sively; mo man ever had a better
mother in the world than had" i
had been brought out previously tha
Senator Shoots mother was plura
wife
Concerning the prosecutions for
polygamous cohabitation before th'
manifesto, Senator Smoot said he wa
aware OF the sufferings OF the families
of the polygamists. The senator salt
that his father was arrested, stood trla
and was acquitted. He said the mani
festo made the impression on him tina
Il was gong TO stop polygamy forever
He did not understand that IL dispar
aged the doctrine of polygamy, bu
that it did disparage the practice. II
said he believed the revelation in re
gard to .polygamy was received by 10
seph Smith. but he did not believe Il
the practice Of polygamy against tn
laws of the land, and since the "las
decision Of the supreme court ne ha
openly opposed the practice.
Mr.. Smoot, In answering a questio
regarding the cause of the manifesto
said that in his opinion the manifest
came partly from pressure froI
within the church. prompted by a dc
sire to obey all the laws of the land.
II have never been taught anythin
! in my life but TO obey the laws of m
country" asserted Mr.. Smoot.
Dropped Dead on Witness Stand.
Saratoga. n. Y, Jan. 21.-Dr.
valencourt Duell, who conducted
, sanitarium here. died suddenly whil
giving testimony in a case on tria
, Death is thought TO have been due
heart disease. DR.. DUEL was a grad