The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-01-26
SN0O1' CASE YEAR IND
Only Few More Witnesses TO be
Heard by Investigators.
WON'T TELL OF SECRET RITES
Accused Senator Says He Is Bound BY
Obligation Not to Reveal Workings
OF Endowment House - Concludes

ODllgduoH NOt ~ hcNS"' "~''N'o
OF Endowment House - Concludes
His Testimony
Washington. Jan. 24-The senate
Investigation into the protests against
Senator Reed Smoot will be closed
This week. The cross examination OF
the respondent terminated earlier than
expected. and several other Witnesses
Tor the defense were examined. II was
announced that only a few more Wit
nesses would be put on the stahu.
E,Xcept for some documentary EVIL
dence the investigation may conclude
today. Chairman Burrows remarked
that II was necessary TO get through
with the arguments also this week
as Mr. Tayler. counsel for the pro
testants. will assume his duties as
federal Judge in Ohio Tuesday next.
The cross-examination of Senator
Smom resulted in an absolute refusal
10 testify in regard to the endowment
house ceremonies lie also asserted
that II was not his business TO call
10 account President Smith, OF the
Mormon church. because Mr. smith
had admitted to the committee that
ne was living in violation OF the laws
of the land. Three other witnesses re-
fused 10 divulge the character OF the
endowment ceremonies.
Senator Burrows Intercepted Sen
Ator Smoot regarding the details OF
the endowment ceremony. Mr. Smoot
said he preferred not 10 describe II.
why not?" he was asked.
For conscientious reasons. | 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 VOW that would
keen these endowment ceremonies sa-
cred and not reveal them TO anybody,
and have kept that ali my life. and II
went out of the church tomorrow
and remained ont OF the church until
! was gray headed | would never feel
that it was my duty or that | should
diyulge what little | even remember
OF them"
The senator was asked a number OF
other questions regarding the cere-
monv. which he said he preferred not
To answer
DO you know why the oath OF Sc
crecy was imposed
1T is purely religious ordinance
refers absolutely to mans hereafter
and has nothing whatever TO do win
ANYTHING other than mans relation to
God. and | suppose that 1t is an ordi-
nance in the church and the rule Is
that it be not revealed.
Pursuing his inquiry. Chairman Bur
rows asked II Senator Smoot taught
and preached his faith. He did occa-
sionally.
do you teach polygamy?" 81 do
not"
do you preach against polygamy
or unlawful cohabitation?
81 never have. do not know why |
should It is not a tenet OF the faith.
II has been suspended. and | think
il would not be proper for me to bring
il up"
The chairman inquired concerning
the uncertainty Of the Interpretation
of the manifesto as to whether 1t APP
piled to both plural marriages or
polygamous cohabitation. Senator
Smoot said the people were uncertain.
but that President Woodruff had in
terpreted it as prohibiting polygamous
cohahtation. lie said he understood
that the revelation commanding the
PRONUNCIATION Of the manifesto against
polygamy was the result OF pleadings
by President Woodruff for the com
mand of God concerning his wish on
that subject
On redirect examination. Senator
SmOot said he believed the church
rule requires church officials to obtain
leave of absence to engage in bust
ness. politics or anything else which
might take them away from their
church work, and is not confined to
politics.