New-York tribune., 1905-01-18
MORMON WITNESS BALKS.
Vest Point Graduate Declines to
Tell of Church Oath.

Washington. Jan. 17.-Attorneys for Senator
Smoot to-day put on the stand witnesses to dis
credit the testimony of the three witnesses for
the protestants who gave what they alleged 10
be the oaths taken by Mormons who go through
the temples and take the endowment ceremony
Of the Mormon Church The session was shorter
than usual to-day. because of the absence of
witnesses. 1t is expected several witnesses will
arrive here tonight and the hearing will go on
tomorrow.
Richard w. Young of Salt Lake, grandson OF
Brigham Young, graduate of West Point and
also of the law department of Columbia Uni
versity, was sworn. While serving in the army
in the Philippines he was president or the
Criminal Branch OF the Supreme Court OF the
islands He returned to Salt Lake in 1901 and
is now president of one of the four Mormon
stakes of Salt Lake City. Mr. Young is
monogamist and he declared to-day the senti-
ment of Mormons decidedly hostile to
polygamy He said there was teaching of
polygamy and had been none since the mani
festo was issued. In relation to 'whsperings"
in politics he said he knew of no instance where
the whispers" had been traced to any Mormon
authorities He thought there may have been
some underlings who attempted to create the
impression that the Church wanted some par
ticular candidate elected, but when the cases
traced the accused persons always denied
that they had been authorized to take such
action
In answer to questions by Chairman Burrows
Mr. Young said that until two years after it's
issuance the manifesto was not construed TO be
directed against the practice of polygamy. but
only against new plural marriages. He said
that IL Il were not for the law against pOlygamy
he should believe the principle to be right. Some
of the bishops under Mr. Young are polygamlsts
He said he had taken no steps to dlssuade them
from continuing the practice.
Mr.. Worthington, for Senator Smoot and Sen
ators Burrows and McComas engaged in an
whether the Endowment House contains any
thing hostile to this government when the wit
ness declines to give the wording of the oath
taken by Mormons who go through the ceremony.
The members Of the committee took the position
that If partial answers were given the inquiry
should extend TO the entire subject Mr.. Worth
ington likened the situation to an inquiry into
Masonry or other secret organizations, and said
that the witness should be permitted to say
that he had taken no obligation hoStile%to the
government and then decline to reveal a secret
oath which he is Obliged not TO diVulge. After
the argument Mr.. WorthingtOn asked Mr..
Young:
rs there anything in the oath that relates to
your government
II don't know that 1 would understand my
status if 1 answered that question. 1 do not
want to be in contempt of the committee, and
should like the Chair to tell me whether this is
TO be followed with further inquiries said the
witness
Senator Burrows ruled that If the question
answered he would inquire of the witness to
the character of the ceremony and all of the OBJ
legations, whereupon Mr.. Young declined TO
answer Mr.. Worthington's question. He said he
because of revealing oaths of the Endowment
House