The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-24
SMOOT WILL NOT
REVEAL THE OATHS
Refuses to OivuIge Any Church
Secrets
THE CASE Is ABOUT ENDED
Arguments Are Expected to Be Com
peted This Week, Although More
Documentary Evidence
Is to Be Offered.
THE CASE is ABOUT ENDED

Washington, January 23.-The Senate
investigation against the protests against
Senator Reed Smoot will be closed this
week. The cross-eXamination of the re-
spondent terminated earlier than expect
ed and several other witnesses for the
defense were examined 1t was announced
just before adjournment of the commit
tee on privileges and elections today that
only few more witnesses would be put
on the stand. Except for some documen-
tary evidence the investigation may con-
clude tomorrow Chairman Burrows re-
marked that it was necessary to get
through with the arguments this week so
that Mr.. Tayler, counsel of the protes-
tants, can assume his duties as federal
Judge in Ohio Tuesday next
The ross-examination of Senator
Smoot resulted in an absolute refusal
to testify in reference to the endowment
ceremonies. He also asserted that 1T was
not his duties to call to account Presi-
dent Smith of the Mormon church be-
cause Mr.. Smith had admitted to the
committee that he was living in violation
to the laws of the land. Three other wit
nesses refused to divulge the character
of the endowment ceremonies.
Tells of Moses Trial.
Relative to the trial of Apostle Moses,
regarding his difference with the church
with politics, Senator Smoot said he did
not want to say that politics was the
principal cause of difference between that
character and the church, but admitted
it was one of the reasons for the trial.
Judge Tayler asked If the fight against
81. alaf h
and the witness replied that the Desert
News. the church organ, charged that
character candidacy was "anti-church."
Judge Tayler asked If Senator Smoot
saw any criticism in the statement OF
Moses that character that the church
was getting out of it's proper function
in interfering in functions of the state
II 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."
Supreme Church Affairs.
1.-THE first presidency is supreme in
everything pertaining to the church.,
said Senator Smoot in answer to ques-
ton by Chairman Burrows. He also said
In explanation: "Of course when it comes
to a question of revelation that is to be
binding upon the people of the church
the president himself receives 1t and 1t
must be accepted by the people"
Ibid | understand you to say that the
apostles are not prophets?" asked Chair
man Burrows.
II say they are sustained as prophets,
but l 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 fIways the spirit
of prophecy with him."
"Do you think the president of the
church communicated directly with God
has direct revelation?
"If God desires to speak to his people,
It would be through the president of the
church
Does God speak through the apostles
In the same way?'
"Oh, not in the same way. An apostle
has no more authority in a stake of
Zion than its president has unless sent
byhthe head of the church to act in the
stead of the stake president" In an en-
deayor to ascertain the proper procedure
in "a difference between churchmen, Judge
TayIer asked if there was authority to
condemn member of the priesthood.
II think the Lord has given any man
the right to do it," was the answer. IF
one of the Lords servants should do a
wrong to me, l would condemn him and
bring charges after first going to him
personally. 1t is a rule of the church
that a person aggrieved should go to the
person offending before condemning such
a person."
Speak Under Inspiration.
In answering a question as to his be-
lief In modern prophecy Senator Smoot
said: Men speaking today under the In
spiration of the Lord-their counsel is
lust as good as that of the prophets
that spoke under inspiration in ancient
days"
Senator Burrows Intercepted Senator
smoot regarding the details of the en-
dowment ceremony, but he declined to
answer, saying: II made a vow, not an
oath. with my God. not with any man,
not with the president of the church or
with a living soul; but did make a vow
that / would keep these endowment cere-
monies sacred and not reveal them to
anybody, and I have kept that all my
life and If l went out of the church and
remained out of the church until ] was
gray-haired I would never feel that it
was my duty or that should divulge
what little even remember of them
do you know why the oath of secrecy
was imposed?' he was asked.
1T is purely a religious ordinance-re-