Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-01-25
SMOOT takes THE
Witness STAND
ZIG CROWD HEARS NoR101
SENATOR TESTIFY IN HE
OWN DEFENSE. ..=
DENIES VENGEANCE
OATH IN ENDOWMENT
Declares No Penalty Such ~ Described
by Former Witnesses Is Contained
in Ceremony-says He Would Not
Permit Dictatiou.

washington, Jan. Ex-senator dee0
Smoot was put on the stand in his own
defense Friday in the investigation OF
the protests against the senator re-
tanning his seat in the senate. A mi
nority Of the committee on privileges
and elections has been attending the
hearings, but when it was announced
that Senator Smoot would testify the
absentees were sent for. No previous
announcement had been made, but the
senator had not long been under exam
lnation before the doors of the commit
tee-1oom were filled and passageways
were Kept open with great difficulty. A.
$. "orthington, Of counsel for defense,
conducted the direct examination.
Has But One Wife.
The first questions were as to the
senator's nativity. He said he was
born in Salt Lake City in 1862 His IA
Their and mother are both dead. His
mother was plural wife, Concerning
his own family, he said he was married
September II, 1854, and has but one
wife They have six children He sale
that al the time of his marriage he die
not take the endowment, but that in
1880 he had gone through the enGow-
ment house at the request of his IA
Their, 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 tina. he did not
care much about taking the ceremony,
Senator Smoot said he had been en-
gagged in mercantile business most OF
his life. The only Office in the church
that he had held other than that of zpos-
tie was counselor to the president OF
the Utah Stake of Zion, and he declared
that he had taken no oaths Of any char
acter when he became counselor, nor
had he taken any oath when he became
an apostle.
Denies Oath of Vengeance.
MIR. Worthington asked Senator Smoot
about the endowment ceremony, and he
replied: Il could cot give it want
ed to-
Why not?"
Because have no distinct recoliec-
ton OF the ceremony"
Mr.. Worthicgton read what witnesses
have alleged to be the oath of: yenge-
ance,' and asked Senator Smoot II
there was anything Of that character in
the ceremony.
There was not
Was there anything of vengeance
upon this generation?"
mo. sir"
Was there anything about avenginS
the blood of Joseph Smith,. e....
There was not. And it would have
been very strange if there had been
Joseph Smith was the instigator Of the
endowment ceremony, and IL woald have
been very strange if 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
countss?'
There was not"
Granted Leave of Absence.
The senator then explained how he
came to he candidate for the ONCE and
told of his application for leave of ab-
sence from the church should be he
elected
That consent was given me some
time early in May and l announced my
candidacy May 10. 1902" continued the
senator. and Immediately began, D
organize my forces for campaign"
do you mean to organize republican
forces or your church friends?' asked
Mr. Worthington
The republicans, most assuredly,'~
was The reply.
Church No Factor in Politics.
Was the Mormon church a factor in
politics in your candidacy for the sen
ate?" asked Mr.. Worthington.
Not in the least No more than the
Presbyterian or the Methodist churches.
No man or woman can say ever asked
them to vote the republican ticket be-
cause was an apostle. Whatever die
to promote my candidacy was based upon
republican arguments alone"
Did any one ever attempt to influence
YOU or to dictate to YOU in your politics!"
Not in any way. 1would not per-
nit it,
is the leave of absence received BY
YOU church Endorsement of your can
didacy?''
Not at all, and the people do not so
regard it,
IF the president of the church shoul,,
ask YOU to vote according 10 his wishes.
what would be your attitude?''
Would Vote for Country's Interests.
Il would vote as believed was for the
best interests of the country
What would be your position if the
president of the church should attemp.
to influence your vote as senator?'
Il would not submit to it for min
ute."
Regarding his knowledge Of the polyg-
amous relations of President Smith he
said all he knew was that Smith had
more than one wife. He explained tina.
he had no intimate acquaintance with
the families OF the other apostles at the
time he became an apostle In 1900.
In answer to another question by Mr..
Worthington Senator Smoot said that
he had never advised or countenanced
any man or woman to live In 20
lycansy.
Great guns! What terrible piano
playing! Is that the girl you said was
wonderful"
1T is"
What is wonderful about herr"
"Why, it is wonderful how she keeoa