The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-09
BLOOD FOR BLOOD
IS MORMON s OATH.
Can't Go Through, Endowment
House Without Swearing to
Avenge Death Of Leaders.
ALL P0LYGAMlsTS AT HEART
Witness Tcstifics at Snloot Hear
ing That Plural Marriage
Belief is Demanded.
{By Assoelated Press,

(By Associated Press)
WASHINGTON. February s.--Tho Son
ator Smoot case. SO far as Introduction
of Testimony by the Gen,iles is concerned.
probably VIII be closed tomorrow. Chair
man Burrows announced to-day that he
would Insist on concluding the lnvesti-
9atlon and making II report at this ses-
sion. Tho defense has not announced
the number of witnesses 1t expects to
call. nor when 1t viii be ready to pro-
ceed The hearing to-day dealt with
alleged Mormon interference with blisl-
ness affairs and with the Endowment
House ceremony. Three witnesses tes-
tined that they had taken the obiga-
ton administered, and as they recall 1t
there was a variance In the form as 1t
reiated to an agreement to avenge the
blood of the prophets. Henry w. Law
renee. of Salt Lake, said he had been
called upon to promise to avengc Jo-
seph Smith. Hyram Smith. David Pat
ten and Farley p. Pratt. all church
lenders. who met death at the hands of
mobs. This witness declared that no
Mormon could go through the Endow-
ment House without taking the oath.
SayslHe Wasn't Drunk.
Professor Walter NJ Wolfe was to-
day subjected to Il severe cross-exami-
nation by A. S. Worthington. counsel
for the Senator. He denied charges by
counsel that lie had been intoxicated In
several public places, and that he had
expressed contrition because Of his re-
fusal to pay tithing.
Wolfe said In Brigham Young College.
Ovena Jorgensen and Florence Rcy
t,,Ia V,,hN no,
knew to have become plural wives. He
thought that children OF polygamous re-
latlons looked upon polygarny as d.
vine institution. number of songs.
alleged to be hostile to the government
OF the United States. were put into the
record, and Wolfe said these songs were
sung frequently.
Charles A. Smurthwaite, of Ogden.
Utah. testified that he had been excon-
municated by the Mormon Church on
April, 1905. He is a director In the Beck
Salt Works, and told of having been
called to Salt Lake City, to see Presf-
dent Joseph +. Smith. and members of
the first presidency which held the con-
trolling interests in the Inland Crystal
Salt Company. Mr.. Smurthwaite was
told by President Smith that II he re-
NAMED in the salt business in compcti-
tlOn WITH tlae Hc Wpulu
Ma agreement was reached and he was
excommunicated. he said, in consequence.
finally. he said. he had publicly dis
claimed Smiths authority as prophet.
and spoke against his testimony on the
subject of polygamous Capitalization and
was tried on charges Of apostack and
unchtristanlike conduct and foundd
guilty.
Must Believe in Polygamy.
During his testimony, Mr.. Lawrence
referred frequently to the tyranny of the
priesthood that existed during his MEM
bership in the church. and Chairman
Burrows asked If that tyranny existed
to-day. The witness said there was more
liherality shown now, but that man
who desired to continue in good stand
ing in the church. must obey the leaders
in all things. He said that the revela-
ton of the polygamy must be believed
by good church member. whether he
practiced 1t or not. for to suspend one
revelation would be to suspend them all.