The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1906-02-09
PoLyGAmY on INCREASE
Former Teacher in the Brigham, Young
Academy Gives Some Inter
extinu Iastinony.

SSIlOS I5SIlCnONy.
Washington, Feb. 9.-Hearings in the
'ase OF Senator Smoot We're resumed
today before the committee on privi-
leges and elections. Investigation Of
protests against the senator retaining
his seat have continued through two
sessions of congress. and today marked
the beginning of meetings which the
committee is likely to hold intermt-
tently throughout the present session.
The first witness was Professor Wall
ter NJ. Wolfe, former teacher of geo.
logy in the Brigham Young college Of
Logan. Utah, and apostate of the
church.
John G. Carlisle OF New York con-
Quoted the prosecution. A. S. Worth
ington Of Washington defended the
senator.
Wolfe testified he had been a Nor
mon until January 1, this year. when
his connection was severed through
failure to comply with the demands
for titheS.
Cuffs Plural Marriage.
He was asked to tell what he knew
of the alleged plural marriage of Prof.
Benjamin Cuff and Florence Reynolds.
both teachers at Provo. In detailing
what he knew of their relations he
told of Il Mormon expedition to Mexico.
Wolfe said he had been Informed at
the 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 Cuff"
b Twelve times. answered Wolfe.
when asked how many times he had
been through the endowment house or
temple.
Did YOU take any obligations or
oaths when YOU Went through?" ,
Every time" he replied. He said
there had been obligations of chastity,
sacrifice and vengeance
The Blood Covenant.
What do you mean by Vengeance"
asked Carlisle.
Witness said 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.sla
and at its conclusion each one taking
1t was required to bow his head and
say: !
After giving many other details of
the ceremony such as the manner of
aEnointing, he was asked concerning
the trial had by the board of Brigham
Young academy as to reasons for the
Mexican expedition.
Witness said that Apostle Smoot was
among those in attendance and that
he had heard testimony given by the
witness himself that the reason for
Cuffs absence was because he was
living apart with a plural wife.
Polyeamy Is Increasing.
Wolf said that in southern Utah and
New Mexico polygamy is talked with
some freedom. He quoted Apostle Johr
Henry Smith as having said concern
ing the manifesto:
1T is a trick to beat the devil at his
own game"
He quoted John Wilson, a prominent
Mormon. as saying:
Tine manifesto enables the church to
exclude men who ought not to have
more than one wife, and gives to
worthy men opportunity to take plural
wives"
Both of these statements, witness
said, We're made in his church.
ITO the best of my knowledge." said
Wolfe, .polygamous cohabitation has
increased very materially since Utah
was admitted as Il state.''
Polygamy Not Crime to Church.
On Cross examination, Mr.. Workings
brought against Cluff by Wolfe and
other members OF the Mexican expedi-
ton. - :.
Witness was asked Why. he i1;itl re,
Trained from making the charge. that
Cuff was living in Mexico with Flor.
ence Reynolds.
For several reasons" replied Wolfe.
The chief one was that po!rgamy wa;
not crime i'll the eyes of the church"
When asked concerning some Of thu
proceedings of that trial. particularly
concerning intimate details, he salt
there was IL gentleman in the room win,
was better qualified to answer.
'Who?" asked Worthington.
THE senator from Utah." he replied.
After stating that Smoot had no,
been member of the subcommittee
making the investigation, Worthingtor
asked the witness concerning his "hab.
its, and whether he had been dis
charged from his position as teacher
because of drunkenness.
Why He Quit.
He replied that his resignation had
been involuntary voluntary" He ex-
planned that he had drank for twenty
years. and there had been no chang
in his habits in all of those years, but
that after refusing to pay tithes he had
been asked to resign on account O..
having been intoxicated one SUNDAY
early III January. he said he Knew the
consequences Of refusing to pay tithes
Senator Hopkins asked il the char2N
had been true that he was drunk OF
the Sunday referred to.
mo, sir; If the charge had been mad,
the next day it might have been true
the witness replied.
Wolfe said he believed the seed O.
treason" was sown In the oath OF
vengeance. In answer to question
by Chairman Burrows he described the
interior of the temple. Among the pic.
lures was one of Senator Smoot.
The committee adjourned until TO,
morrow.
AAlc AArn 10 Al "A ln-