The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-01-26
SMOOT HEARING
WILL SOON CLOSE
END EXPECTED TO BE REACHED
THIS WEEK.
ACCUSED AGAIN TEsTIFIEs,
His cross-Examination Results In An
Absolute Refusal to Reveal
Secrets Of the Endow-
ment Ceremonies

Washington, Jan. 24.-The senate in
vestigation into the protests against
Senator Reed Smoot will be closed this
week. The cross examination of the re-
%spondent terminated earlier than ex-
pected, and several other witnesses
for the defense were examined.
1t was announced just before adj
journment of the committee on
privileges and elections that only
a few more witnesses would be put on
the stand. Except for some document
tary evidence, the investigation may
conclude to-day. Chairman Burrows re-
marked that it was necessary to get
through with the arguments also this
week, as Mr.. Tayler, counsel for the pro-
~testants, will assume his duties as fed
eral judge in Ohio Tuesday next.
Smoot Resumes.
Senator Smoot resumed testimony in
his own behalf Monday, Judge Tayler
continuing the cross-examination. Rel
alive to the trial of Apostle Moses
Thatcher, following his differences with
the church over politics, Senator Smoot
said he would not want to say politics
was the principal cause of the differ
ences, but vas one of the reasons.
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 Thatcher's candidacy was
"a%nti-church." .s ...
Smoot Endorses Statements.
Judge Tayler took up the political
manifesto, or the rule which required
officials of the church to obtain a leave
Of absence, which Apostle Thatcher
had disapproved and refused to obey.
AS it was read, clause by clause,
Senator Smoot Endorsed the statements
made by Thatcher. ,.,s =.
Judge Tayler asked il Senator Smoot
saw any criticism in the statement of
Moses Thatcher that the church was
getting out of its proper sphere in in
terfering in functions of the state.
Il do not think there was any charge
that the church was trying to influence
the action of, the legislature" answered
Senator Smoot, "That would be wrong
and most reprehensible."
First President Supreme.
THE first presidency is supreme In
everything pertaining to the church. .
asaid Senator Smoot in answer to a
question by Chairman Burrows. He
also said, in explanation: "Of course.
when it m to a question of revela-
ton that is to be binding upon the
people of the church., the president
himself receives it and it must be ac-
cepted by the people"
DO | understand you to say the
apostles are not prophets?" asked
Chairman Burrows.
Il say they are sustained as proph-
cts, but I do not think a man is a
prophet at any time unless he speaks
by the spirit of prophecy. In other
words, | do not believe that a man
has always that spirit of prophecy with
him"
DO you think the president of the
church communicates directly with
God-has direct revelation?'
eff God desires to speak to his peo-
pie 1t would be through the president
of the church."
docs God speak through the apps
ties in the same way?"
ooh, not in the same way. An apos-
tie has no more authority in a stake
of Zion than its president has, unless
sent by the head of the church to act
In the stead of the stake president"
Senator Burrows Intercepted SEN
ator Smoot regarding the details Of the
endowment ceremony. The witness
declared he believed them sacred and
would never reveal them.
Three other witnesses refused to d.
vulge the character of the endowment
ceremonies.