The San Francisco call., 1905-01-15
.ANTI.MORM MON
CLAIMS DENIED
Cause of Smoot Profits
by the Testimony Given
by Leading Western Men
NOT FOE OF NATION
Endowment House Oath Con-
NOT FOE OF NATION
Endowment House Oath Con-
tains Nothing Conflicting
With Citizenship Duties

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-Eleven wit
nesses testified to-day before the Sen
ate Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions in the investigation of protests
against the seating Of Senator Reed
Smoot. All except two told of political
conditions in Utah and of the Mormon
endowment House ceremony Several
witnesses said the ceremony included
no obligations that were In conflict with
the duties of a citizen to his State or.
nation. Chairman Burrows asked two
or the witnesses to give the nature or
the ceremonies, but both refused, on
the ground that they had given oaths
not to divulge what had taken place
within the Temple.
James E. Lynch of Salt Lake City,
was the first witness to-day. He is
Democrat and a non Mormon. Chair
man Burrows asked Lynch concerning
the feeling of young Mormons on the
question of polygamy. Witness SAID
they felt that the practice must be
done away with" but that he had
heard nothing of the young Nor
mons making a protest to the heads
of the church
REFUSES TO REVEAL OATH.
H. M. Dougall of Springville, Utah,
who explained that he was fired" from
the Mormon church, was called to the
stand. He is postmaster of his town
of 5000 inha bitants. He could think OF
only five polygamists in Springville,
and said there had been no polygamous
marriages since 1890. His expulsion
from the church in 1874, he said, had
not made a particule of difference in
his business, even though a majority
of his business came from Mormons.
Chairman Burrows asked the witness
fn Gfaf ho Of
performed when he was married in
the Endowment House, and Mr.. Dou-
gall replied
II do not believe 1 care to tell that,
Senator"
Was there penalty attached if you
revealed what took place?"
Yes, sir
What was that penalty?"
Il decline to state"
Was it seYere?"
LAS l remember it was"
WAS it death?"
II do not believe 1 care to answer
any more questions on that subject
He said the oath was to avenge the
blood Of the prophets, or martyrs, on
this generation" and act on this ma +
tion," as had been testified.
NO HOSTILITY TO NATION.
A. A Noon of Provo. a Republican
mon, who voluntarily withdrew from
the church in 1870 testified that young
Mormons were opposed to polygamy,
and also that Mornons were not taking
any interest in politics as a church. He
has been a candidate for office bien-
nially since 1890, and with the excep-
tion of 1896 has defeated Mormon can
didates. He indorsed Senator Smoot
highly and was not surprised, he said,
at his election as Senator
After his marriage, Noon said, he
took the endowments. Worthington
asked him If he took an oath to avenge
the blood of the prophets ION this ma
tion." The witness said nothing in the
obligation expressed hostility to the ma
tion or to this Government He said
1t was taken from the Scriptures, Rev
elation, chapter 6, verses 9 and TO-
There was nothing in it, he said, of dis
loyalty to the United States.
Chairman Burrows asked Noon in re-
gard to the endowment ceremony, and
he declined to state it's nature. He
would not say whether there was a
change in wearing apparel, whether
there was severe penalty attached to
revealing what had taken place or any
thing connected with the obligations.
What would you say as to whether
the penalty was to have the tongue
torn out or the vitals cut out of the
body?" asked Chairman Burrows.
II do not feel that l could answer"
Noon replied.
William Hatfield of Salt Lake City
was sworn. He was a Mormon until he