Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-20


married September IL 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, before taking a trip
to the Sandwich Islands with his father,
for the benefit of the latter's health. He
said he told his father at that time that
he did not care much about taking the
ceremony.
Senator Smoot said he had been engaged
in the mercantile business most of his life.
The only Office in the church that he has
held other than that of apostle was coun-
sellor TO the president of the Utah stake
of Zion. and he declared that he had taken
no oaths of any character when he became
counsellor, nor had he taken any oath when
he became an apostle.
Endowment Ceremony Forgotten.
Mr.. Worthington asked Senator Smoot
about the endowment ceremony, and he re-
piled: II could not give it if 1 wanted to-"
"Why not?''
Because 1 have no distinct recollection
of the ceremony
Mr.. Worthington read what witnesses
alleged to be the oath of vengeance and
asked Senator Smoot If there was anything
of that character in the ceremony.
There not.
"Was there anything of vengeance upon
this generation?'
mo, sir.
was there anything about avenging the
blood of Joseph Smith,
There was not. And it would have been
very strange if there had been. Joseph
Smith was the instigator of the endowment
ceremony and it would have been very
strange II he had asked his people to
avenge his blood when he was alive
WAS there anything in the ceremony
which would affect your loyalty to your
country
How came you to be a candidate for
senator?"
We'll [ had been rather active in poll
tics before the division was made on party
lines l took the leading papers of both
national parties. and at first believed my
self to be a democrat. but as studied poll
tics l found myself gradually drifting to
the principles of the republican party, and
Joined that party when the division came"
The senator explained in detail his inter-
est in political affairs. He said that in
1898 mis- political friends IN ProVo most Oh
them non Mormons, asked him to run either
for governor or for the United States Sen
ate.
Announced His Candidacy.
Il told them" he said that I did not
care to run for office until we could get our
own county in the right political column,
and that when that time came L should
like to go to the Senate. We organized ana
carried Utah for the republican party IN
1900 | announced my candidacy for the
United States Senate in 1902. OF course,
knew of the rule which required me to ask
the presidency of the church If could run
Here Mr. Worthington interrupted ana
asked him TO explain this rule.
Senator Smoot replied that 1t referred
only to officials of the church, and amount
ed simply to a leave of absence from their
church duties. He said he went to the first
presidency while II sitting in of
it's regular meetings, and formally made
application for a leave. He told the first
presidency that If elected he would require
leave of absence, so as not to interfere
with his duties as a senator.
At r1e fnaa
early in May, and l announced my candi-
dacy May 10, 1902" continued the senator,
and l Immediately began to organize my
forces for the campaign.
do you mean to organize republican
forces or your church friends?" asked Mr..
Wort hngton.
The republicans, most aSSuredly," was
WAS the Mormon Church a factor in pol
itics in your candidacy for the Senator"
asked Mr.. Worthington.
Not in the least. No more than the
Presbyterian or the Methodist churches.
No man or woman can say that | ever
asked them to vote the republican ticket
because | was an apostle. Whatever / did
TO promote my candidacy was based upon
republican arguments alone"
Would Not Permit Dictation.
Did any one ever attempt to influence
you dictate to you in politics?'
Not in any way. l would not permit it,"
"Is the leave of absence received by you
a church Endorsement of your candidacy?
Not at all, and the people do not so
gard it"
'If the president of the church should
ask you TO vote according to his wishes
what would be your attitude?'
II would vote as / believed was for the
best interests of the country.
what would be your position IL the
president of the church should attempt to
influence you in your vote as senatory
tsl1 mt limit tn a