Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-23
THE SMOOT INQUIRY
Senator Himself Continues on
the Stand.
CROSS-EX An N ALTON
ANNOUNCED BY MR.. TAYLER TO
BE CLOSED.
Chairman Burrows Questions as to Why
No Prosecution Has Been Made
of President Smith.

Senate committee privileges and cleo
tons, Judge Tayler continuing the cross
examination Senator-elect George Suther-
land, from Utah. who will succeed Senator
Kearns, and Former Gov A L. Thomas of
Utah, both of whom are expected to testify
IN the case, present
Relative to the trial of Apostle Moses
Thatcher, following his differences with the
church over politics. Senator Smoot said he
would not want to say that politics was the
principal of the difference between
Thatcher and the church. but admitted that
it was one of the reasons for the trial.
Judge Tayler asked if the fight against
Thatcher was not led by the church. and
the witness replied that the Deseret News.
the church organ. charged that Thatcher's
candidacy was '.anti-church" Judge Tay-
Ter took up the political manifesto. or the
rule which required officials of the church
to obtain leave of absence, which Apostle
Thatcher had disapproved and which he re-
fused TO obey. AS it was read, clause by
clause, Senator SmoOt indorsed the state
ment made by Thatcher in that connection.
Judge Tayler asked if Senator Smoot saw
any criticism in the statement of Moses
Thatcher that the church was getting out
of its proper function in interfering in func-
tiOnS of the state
Il do not think there was any charge that
the church trying to influence the
tOn of the legislature answered Senator
Smoot. THAT would be wrong and most
reprehensible."
The First Presidency.
The first presidency is supreme in every
thing pertaining to the church., said Sen
ator Smoot, in answer to n question by
Chairman Burrows. He also said in eX-
planation: "Of course when it comes to
question of revelation that is to be binding
upon the people of the church, the president
himself receives it and it must be accepted
by the people.
THAT is" quered Senator Burrows. "as
the head of the church he is supreme?"
He is the highest authority in the
church."
DO I understand you to say that the
apostles are not prophets?
Il say they are sustained as prophets,
but do not think man is prophet at
any time unless he speaks by the spirit of
prophecy. In other words, I do not believe
that man has always that spirit of
prophecy with him.
DO you think the president of the church
communicates directly with God-has direct
revelation?"
IF God desires to speak to His people
it would be through the president of the
church.
Does God speak through the apostles IN
the same way?"
20! no. not in the same way. An apostle
has no more authority in a stake of Zion
its president has, unless sent by tie head
of the church to act in the stead OF the
stake president &
Judge Tayler examined the senator at
length concerning the duties and powers
of the quorum of apostles. -
In answering question as to his beliet
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.
The Endowment Ceremony.
ho ba
dowment ceremony once, but that he could
not say what the ceremony was as he did
not have any definite recollection of it.
rs there anything in the ceremony about
avenging the blood of the martyrs of the
church?'
There is not
You heard the testimony of Mr.. Dougall
that in the ceremony it was importuned to
avenge the blood of the martyrs upon this
generation?" asked Judge Tayler.
Il heard him say so.'
'Is there any such thing in the cere-
mony.'
Il don't recall it, nor do 1 believe there
is"
We'll is there anything in the ceremony
about avenging the blood of the martyrs?"
No, there Is not
Senator Burrows interrogated Senator
Smoot regarding the details of the endow-
ment ceremony.
How long did it take to perform this
ceremony?'
From the beginning to the end about
three or four hours
How many went through with your
Thirty or forty
state what you are able to recall Of 1t.
Il would very much prefer not to-"
"Why not?"
"For conscientious reasons. | made a
VOW, not an oath, with my God, not with
any man, not with the president OF the
church or with living soul, but L did
make a vow that l would keep these en-
dowment ceremonies sacred and not re-
veal them to anybody, and | have kept
that all my life, and if l went out of the
church tomorrow and remained out of the
church until l was gray headed / would
never feel that it was my duty or that
should divulge what little l even remember
of them
Was there any penalty attached for the
viola ton of your obligation?"
Il prefer not to say anything further"
do you remember whether there was or
not?"
Il prefer not to say anything further
DO you know why the oath of secrecy
was impoSed?"
In an endeavor to ascertain the proper
procedure in a difference between church.
men. Judge Tayler asked if there was au-
thority to condemn a member of the priest
hood.
II think the Lord has given any man the
right to do 1t, was the answer. Ii one of
the Lords servants should do a wrong to
me 1 would condemn him and bring
charges, after first going to him person.
ally. 1t is a rule of the church that per-
son aggrieved should go to the person Of
Tending before condemning such person"
1T is purely a religious ordinance-referS
absolutely to a mans hereafter, and has
nothing whatever to do with anything other
than mans relation to his God, and L sup
pose that Ii Is an O. dinance in the church.
and the rule is that it be not revealed
The senator said he did not belong TO any
other secret church organizations.
Money Paid in Tithes.
do you know how much money Is paid
into the church annually in tithes?" asked
Senator Overman.
Il could not say except as a guess.
.As much as a million dollars?''
..Some years more and some years less.
understand
How is this money expended 2?
ssWeu. there is about $4,000 for eduear
tionai interests; about 100000 for the feed