The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-07
PAID NO TITHES.
Prof. Wolfe, Former Teacher in
a Mormon College,
Tells Why He Was Turned Out
of the Church.
THE REED SMOOT CASE
Is Again Taken Up by Senate
Elections Committee.
Witness Went Through EndOw-
ment House IL Times.

the case of Senator Reed SmOOt was
resumed today before the committee
on privileges and elections. The in
vestigation of the protests made
against the Utah senator retaining his
seat continued through two sessions
of congress. and today marked the
beginning of meetings which the COM
mittee is likely to hold intermittently
throughout the present session.
The first witness was Prof. Walter
n. Wolfe former teacher of geology
in Brigham Young college, at Logan,
Utah, and an apostle of the church.
John G. Carlisle, of New York, con-
Quoted the prosecution, and a. S.
Worthington, of this city. defended
the senator. Prof Wolfe testified
that he had been a Mormon until
January /, this year, when his con-
nection 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
Prof. Benjamin Cluff and Florence
Reynolds, both teachers al Provo.
This case occupied a prominent place
in the former hearings. In detailing
what he knew of their relations he
told of a Mormon expedition to Mex
leo. Wolfe said he had been in
formed at that time by Cluff that he
was married to Florence Reynolds
and that they lived together on that
trip. President Smith, he said, re-
ferred to Florence as sister Cuff
Twelve times, answered Prof.
Wolfe, when asked how many times
he had been through the endowment
house or temple. He explained that
the endowment house was torn down
many years ago.
Did you take an obligation or
oaths when you went through %
asked Mr.. Carlisle.
Every time he replied.
Obligation Taken.
Asked to detail them he said there
had been obligations of chastity, sac
riflce, and vengeance.
What do you mean by ven
geance2 y asked Mr.. Carlisle. DO you
mean there was 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 avenge the blood
OF the prophet on this nation - The
oath, he said, was taken standing
and at the conclusion each one TAX
ing 1t was required to bow his head
and say, "I do
After giving many other details of
the ceremony, such as the manner of
annolnting, he was asked concerning
a trial had by the board of Brigham
oung academy as to the reasons for
long absence of Cluff from the
Mexican 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 absence
was because he was living apart with
a plural wife.
Another plural marriage was spoken
OF by the witness. This was between
Ovena JOrgensOn, student at Brig
ham Young academy, and Brother
Okey, with whom the girl became en-
amored, according to a confession she
IS alleged to have made to Prof. Wolfe
He said the girl came to his house
and gave as an excuse for an absence
from school that she had gone to
Jaurez, Mexico, and had been married
in polygany. This had been with the
consent of State President George 7
Cannon. The girl came back to the
school and graduated in the class of
1900, said the witness.
On further examination conducted
by Chairman Burrows, Prof 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 manifest0: ct is trick to
beat the devil at his own game" He
quoted John Wilson of Logan.
prominent Mormon. as saying: 1.-THE
manifesto enables the church to ex-
clude men who ought not to have
more than one wife and gives to
worthy men an opportunity to take
plural wives
Both of these statements, the wit
ness said, were made in his church
PoIygany Increasing.
'To the best of my knowledge"
said Prof. Wolfe, "polygamous cohabi-
tation has increased very materially
since Utah was admitted as a state.
On cross examination Mr.. Worth
ingtOn produced the original charges
brought against Cluf by Prof. Wolfe
and other members Of the Mexican ex-
pedition.
The witness was asked why he had
refrained from making the charge that
CIuff was living in Mexico with Flor
enee Reynolds.
For several reasons" replied Wolfe
THE chief one was that poIygamy was
not a crime in the>eyes of the church.
When asked concerning some of the
proceedings of that trial, particularly
concerning intimate details, he said
there was gentleman in the room who
was better qualified to answer
'WhO2" asked Mr.. Worthingt1n-
The senator from Utah. he replied
After stating that dr. Smoot had not
been a member of the subcommittee
making the investigation Mr.. Worth
ingtOn asked the witness concerning his
habits, and whether he had been dis
charged from his position as teacher
because of drunkenness. He said his
resignation had been involuntary vol
untary.' and explained that he had
drank for 20 years and there had been
no change in his habits all these years,
but after refusing to pay tlthes ne had
been asked to resign on account of hay
ing been intoxicated on a Sunday early
in January of this year. He said he
knew the consequence of refusing to pay
tithes. Senator Hopkins asked if the
charge had been true that he was drunk
on the Sunday referred to-
s.No, sir; If the charge had been made