The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1906-02-08
INQUIRY INTO CHARGES AGAINST
UTAH SENATOR RESUMED
At WASHINGTON.
APOSTATe MORMON ON THE STAND
REPEATS OATH OF VENGEANCE
AND DECLARES PoLYGAMY
Is INCREASING.

Washington, Feb. S.-Hearings In
the case Of Senator Reed Smoot were
resumed during the day before the
committee on privileges and elections.
The investigation of the protests
against the senator retaining his seat
continued through two sessions OF
congress and today marked the begin
ming Of meetings which the committee
10 likely to hold intermittently through
out the present session.
The first witness was Professor Wal
ter M. Wolfe, former teacher of geol-
ogy IN Brigham Young college at Lo-
ran. Utah. and an apostate OF the
church. John G. Carlisle of New York
conducted the prosecution and A. 5.
Worthington of this city defended the
senator.
Professor Wolfe testified that he hao
been q Mormon until Jan. l of this
year, when his connection was severed
through failure to comply with the
demands for tithes. He was asked to
tell what he knew of the alleged plural
marriage of Professor Benjamin Clutf
and Florence Reynolds, both teachers
at Provo. This case occupied prom
inent place In the former hearings. In
detailing what he knew of their rela-
tions he told of a Mormon expedition
to Mexico. Professor Wolfe said he
had been informed at that time by
Cluff that he was married to Florence
Reynolds and that they lived together
on that trip. President Smith, he said,
referred to Florence as Sister Cluff.
Repeats the Oath of Vengeance.
Twelve times" answered Professor
Wolfe when asked how many times he
had been through the endowment
house, or temple, he explained, as the
endowment house was torn down many
years ago.
did you take any obligations or
oaths when you went through? asked
Mr.. Carlisle.
Every time," he replied. Asked to
detail them he said there had been
obligations of chastity. sacrifice and
vengeance.
what do you mean by vengeance?'
asked Mr.. Carlisle. do you mean
there was a promise or pledge given
to ayenge something?"
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 ayenge the blood of the prophet on
this nation"
The oath, he said, was taken stand
Ing and at the conclusion each one
taking 1t was required to bow their
heads and say II do"
After giving many other details OF
the ceremony, such as the manner or
amounting, he was asked concerning a
trial had by the board of Brigham
Young academy as to the reasons for
q long absence of Cluff from the Mex.
lean expedition. The witness said
Apostle Reed Smoot was among those
In attendance and that he had heard
testimony given by the witness him
self that the reason for Cuffs alb.
sence was because he was living apart
with a plural wife.
Says Poiyuamy 10 Increasing.
On further examination conducted
BY Chairman Burrows Professor Wolfe
said that In Southern Utah and New
Mexico polygamy is talked with some
freedom. He quoted Apostle John
Henry Smith as having said concern
Ing the Manifesto:
ut is a trick to beat the devil at
his own game"
He quoted John Wilson OF Logan. q
prominent Mormon, as saying:
"The manifesto enables the church