Evening journal., 1905-01-24
.SM0OT CASE IS
NEARING AN END
Only a Few More Witnesses
to be Heard by Inves-
tigators
He WILL NOT REVEAL SECRETS

Washington, Jan. 24.--The senate
Investigation into the protests agains,
Senator Reed Smoot will be closec
this week. The cross examination of
the respondent terminated earlier than
expected, and several other witnesses
for the defense were examined. IL was
announced that only a few more wit
nesses would be put on the stand.
Except for some documentary evil
dence the investigation may conclude
today Chairman Burrows remarked
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
federal judge In Ohio Tuesday next.
The eross-examination of Senator
Smoot resulted in an absolute refusal
TO testify in regard 10 the endowment
house ceremonies He also asserted
that Il was not his business 10 call
to account President Smith. Of the
Mormon church, because Mr.. Smith
had admitted to the committee that
he 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 lnterrogated SEN
ator Smoot regarding the details Of
the endowment ceremony. Mr.. smoot
said he preferred not to describe 1t.
"Why not2" 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 7 did make a VOW that l would
keep these endowment ceremonies sa-
cred and not reveal them to anybody,
and have kept that all my life, and il
went out Of the church tomorrow
and remained out of the church until
] was grayheaded ! would never feel
that il was my duty or that I should
divulge what little | even remember
of them
The senator was asked a number Of
other questions regarding the cere-
mony, which he said he preferred not
to answer
"Do you know why the oath Of Sc
crecy was imposed?"
1T IS purely a religious ordinance
refers absolutely 10 a mans hereafter,
and has nothing whatever 20 do with
anything other than mans relation to
God, and suppose that il is an ordi-
nance In the church and the rule is
that IL be not revealed"
Pursuing his inquiry. Chairman Bur
rows asked If Senator Smoot taught
and preached his faith. He did. oeca-
sionally.
40 you teach polygamy?" Il do
not"
do you preach against polygamy
or unlawful cohabitation
'I never have. / do not know why /
should. II is not a tenet of the faith
lt has been suspended, and l 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 10 whether It ap-
piled to both plural marriages or
polygamous cohabltation. Senator
smoot said the people We're uncertain.
but that President Woodruff had in
terpreted 1t as prohibiting polygamous
He said he understood
that the revelation commanding the
promulgation OF the manifesto against
was the result of pleadlngs
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 busi-
ness, politics or anything else which
might take them away from their
church work, and is not confined to
politics.