Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-02-16


of the Latter-Day Saints before all
else, even his country.
These statements were made before
the Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections at a hearing OF the case
OF Senator Reed Smoot of Utah, by
of geology in Brigham Young College
at Logan, Utah, and apostate OF the
Mormon church The hearing was the
first of this session of the Smoot case,
which was dragged along through the
two previous sessions. 1t is probable
hearings in the case will be held inter-
mittently throughout the present ses-
sion. The investigation Of Prof. Wolfe
occupied the hearing. John G. Carlisle
of New York conducted the prosecu-
ton. and A. S. Worthington of Wash
ington appeared fer Senator Smoot.
Prof. Wolfe testified that he had
been a Mormon until Jan. l, this year,
when his connection was severed
through failure to comply with the de
mands for tithas. Twelve times,
answered. IIOl. "oiIe W hehi ''''iAN' '
many times he had been through the
endowment temple.
did you take any obligations or
oaths when you went Trough asked
Mr.. Carlisle.
every time,' he replied. Only one
time had he taken the oath for hln-
self, however, he said, the other oaths
| having been for dead persons. Asked
to detail them, he said there had been
obligations of chastity, sacrifice and
vengeance.
''What do you mean by ,engeance?
asked Mr.. Carlisle. do you mean
| there was a promise OF pledge given to
avenge something's"
The witness then said that this oath
| had been taken:
"You and each of you do covenant
and pray, and never cease to pray, God
| to avenge the blood Of the prophet on
| this nation
| The oath, he said, was taken stand
| ing, and at the conclusion each one
taking it was required to bow the head
| and say: Il do"
Prof. Wolfe said that in southern
| Utah and New Mexico polygamy is
| practiced with some freedom.
Prof Wolfe said he believed the ''seed
| of treason was sown in the oath Of
vengeance. In answer to questions by
| interior Of the temple. Among the pic
| lures was one of Senator Smoot.
An effort was made by Mr. Worth
| ington to produce an unqualified an
| swer as to whether there was anything
| in the endowment temple ceremony
which would interfere with anyone
| taking it in serving in the United
States Senate, and whether such per-
| sons duties to the church and country
| would conflict The witness declared
| that every Mormon's first duty is to
| the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
With reference to the list of mem
| bers Of the Utah Constitutional Con-
! vention, members of the Legislature
| and State officers accused of being
| polygamists, Mr.. Worthington said it
| might be necessary to call from 100 to
| 200 witnesses to disprove the testimony
| of the prosecution unless the commit
tee permitted the filing of affidavits.
The last witness for those opposing
| Smoot was G. A. Smurthwait, Of Ogden,
Utah. After explaining the tithing sys-
| tenn of the Mormon church Mr. Smurth-
waite was asked if the tithes were in
vested in corporations. 81 am fearful
| that tithing brought the church a rev.
enue Of from S1,50O00O to 100000 a
lear, but no accounting had been made
| so far as he knew.
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