The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1905-01-26
wiz oUR NATIONAL LAxAAKEls



nesses would be put on the stand. and
except for some documentary evidence.
the Investigation may concluded In a
day or two
The Characterization OF Senator
Smoot resulted in an absolute refusal
TO testify in regard to the Endowment
ceremonies He also asserted that IL
was not his bushes sto call To ae-
count President Smith. OF the Mormon
Church. because Of the fact that Smith
admitted to the committee that he was
living In violation OF the laws OF the
land. Three other witnesses refused
to tell the committee the character OF
the Endowment ceremonies:
After testifyihg that President Smith
was supreme as head of the Mormon
Church. Senator Smoot was asked: do
you think the President OF the Church
| communicates directly with God-has
direct revelation?'
IF God desires to speak to his peo-
pie, 1t would be through the President
OF the Church.
In answering a question as ts his be-
lief in modern prophecy, Senator Smoot
said: Men speaking today under the
inspiration of the Lord-their counsel
is just as good as that OF the prophets
| that spoke under inspiration in ancient
days"
Senator Smoot said he only took the
Endowment ceremony once, but that he
could not say what the ceremony was,
as he did not have any definite recol-
| lection of 1t.
"Is there anything in the ceremony
| about avenging the blood of the mar
tsrs Of the Church,"
There ia not
How long did it take to perform
| ti,is ceremony"
Prom beginning to end, about three
or four hours
state what you are able to recall
Of it."
Il would much rather not
why not?"
For conscientious reasons. l made
an oath with my God, not with any
man, not with the President of the
Church. but ! did make VOW that |
would keep these Endowment cere-
monies sacred, and not reveal them to
| anybody, aid have kept that all my
LIFE
WAS there any penalty ATTACHED for
the violation of your obligation?"
| Il prefer not to say anything fur
| ttsr9T
do you remember whether there
was or not?'
Il prefer not to say anything fur
ther."
do you know why the oath of Sc
crscy Vas imposed:'
ut is purely a religious ordina Ace
refers absolutely to mans hereafter,
and has nothing whatever to do with
anything other than mans relation TO
his God, and l suppose that it is an
ordinance III the Church, and the rule
is that it be not revealed"
.Do you. know how much money is
paid ths Church annually in tithes?
asked Senator Overma11.
Mr.. Smoot responded that the Church
income was some years more than
million, and some years less. The
in industrial institutions but in nearly
every case minority of the stock.
Chairman Burrows ~ askedl You
heard tie testimony Of President
Smith, that he is living in defiance OF
the laws of the land?"
Eyes, SIR"
"And that he is also living in def
ance of the Divine law" E;
Yes, cir, and I heard the aualifica-
ti6ts he jnads''
"Has the Church proceeded against
him. because of his violations of the
| laws?"
1T has not
HAS there been any attempt to try
him because he is living in polyga-
ta5us eohabjtatione"
There has not
did you see him after he testified
before this committee?"
The Senator said he had seen the
PRESIDENT of the Church, both in Wash
ington and in Utah, after his testi-
mony, and had made no protest to him
concerning his manner Of living.
"You have not sought to bring him
te trial in any manner" asked the
chairman:
81 have not"
'Do you intend te?'
II dis hot
Mr.. Smoot admitted he sustained
President Smith, but only as President
OF the Church.
do you teach polygamy?"
Il do not"
do you preach against >polygamy Or
unlawful rehabilitation
Il never have. 1 do not know why
should. 1t is not tenet of the faith
1t has been suspended, and | think it
would not be proper for me tc, bring it
uL.''
would Tax lndisd Lands.
The consideration of the statehood
bill was continued III the Senate and
Mr.. Stone spoke for two hours in op-
position to it. The proposed remuner-
alton to American fur sealers who suf
fered losses because of their suppress
sion also was debated at some length
bit 80 action was taken on 1t.
Mr. Stone proposed an amendment tc
the Statehood bill providing that all
allotted lands shall be subject to taxa
ton. He said the bill as it stands
confers upon the indians of Indian Ter
ritory the rights of citizens. while re-
lieving them of the duties of citizen
ship. Mr.. Bailey took similar view
The Senate adjourned.