The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-21
No Oath of Vengeance
on This Nation
NO SLAVE OF CHURCH
No Pledges Taken That Would Inter.
fere With His Loyalty to the
Union. Doesn't Believe in
PoIygamy Against the
Laws of the Land
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Jan. 20.---Interest IN
the Smoot investigation before the
Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections was intensified today by the
unexpected determination to put Sem
ator Smoot on the stand in his own
behalf, without waiting for other wit
neSseS now en- route for Utah. The
Senator was under direct and cross
examination all day and frankly an
swered most of the questions asked.
He acquitted himself eXcellently ana
appeared to make a favorable impress
sion on the members of the committee.
The examination of Senator SmooL
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
interfere with his loyalty to his gov
eminent His recollection of the en-
dowment house ceremony was indis-
tinct. he said, but he was sure there
were no obligations taken to aVenge
the blood of the prophets upon either
this nation" or this generation" as
had been testified to by witnesses for
the prosecution.
Senator SmOOt was examined by Mr..
Worthington, his counsel, who read
what witnesses have alleged to be the
oath of vengeance" and asked Sena-
tor Smoot if there was anything of
that character in the ceremony
l There was not"
"Was there anything of vengeance
upon this generation? ''
mo, sir
Was there anything in the ceres
lfr,
| to your country?"
There was not.
Senator Smoot said when he became
candidate for the Senate he obtained
leave of absence from the first presi-
dency.
WAS the Mormon Church a factor
in politics in your candidacy for the
Senate?' asked Mr.. Worthington.
mot in the least. No man or wo-
man can say that l ever asked them
TO vote the Republican ticket because
was an apostle"
Did any one ever attempt to infiC-
ence you or 20 dictate to YOU in your
politics."
Not in any way. Il would not per-
nit it"
rs the leave of absence received
by you church endorsement of your
candidacy?"
Not at all and the people do not so
regard it
IF the president of the churchs
should ask you to vote according to
his wishes what would be your atti-
tudeP"
Not Tied to the Church.
81 would vote as | believed was for
the best interests of the country"
What would be your position if the
president of the church should attempt
SENATOR"
ii would not submit to it for a min
ute.''
Senator Smoot said he knew Presi-
dent Smith had more than one wife
When asked whether he had made
any protest against those apostles re-
puted to be living in polygamous rela-
tons, he said that the government Of
the United States had accepted the ex-
listing conditions; that there had been
no prosecutions and that the attitude
Of the. people was that of federation.
He declared that the people felt that
the best and in fact the only way to
settle the conditions was to let the
polygamistS die off.
Mr.. Worthington asked if that senti-
ment of federation extended to plura.
marriages, which have occurred since
the manifesto.
"Oh! not at all, replied the Sena-
tor earnestly. Il do not believe there
is a good citizen of Utah who would
condone new plural marriages"
Senator Smoot denied that there had
been any conspiracy of the apostles to
further polygamy. He said he had OBJ
jected to having Apostles CoWley and
Taylor who had taken plural wives
since the manifesto, sustained at the
October conference. President Smith
told him an inquiry would be made
The Senator said he would not vote
TO sustain Taylor and Cowley if they
We're found to have taken plural wives
since the manifesto. He said he die
not think a polvoamist should hold a
government position, though eligible
to church position.
Neither do | feel that there is a
man in Utah that thinks a polygamist
who continues to violate the laws OF
the land should hold such a place. TO
the best of my knowledge there is NOT
ia Federal office in Utah filled by
er at Provo was removed on that
ground and there have been other
cases of that kind
Recommends No PoIygamist.
Have you recommended to the
president the appointment of a polyg-
amist to a Federal Office" asked Mr..
Worthiagton.
mo. sir, and l do not intend to-"
replied the Senator.
Senator SmOot said that ne had
never advised or countenanced any
man or woman to live in polygamy.
He said he thought it best not to
hold religion classes in school houses