New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-08
SM00T CASE UP AGAIN.
Witness Tells of Mormon Oaths and
Ceremonies.

Washington. Feb. Hearings IN the Of
Reed Smoot were resumed to-day before The Sem
ate COMMITTEES On Privileges and Elections Tho
first witness was Professor Walter VI. Wolfe. for
merry teacher Of geology In Brigham Young Col
lege at Logan. Utah. John G. Carlisle. OF New
York. conducted the prosecution and A. s. Worth
ington Of this city, defended Senator smoot.
Professor Wolfe testified that rs had been Nor
mon until January OF this year. when hts conneo-
ton with the church was severed through failure
to comply with the demands for tithes.
Twelve tines answered Professor Wolfe when
asked how many times he had been through ths
endowment house temple
did you take any obligations or oaths when you
went through" asked Mr.. Carlisle.
Every time he replied There had been obli-
cations OF chastity, sacrifice and vengeance.
What DO you mean by vengeance?'' asked Mr..
Carlisle. "Do you there was a promise or
pledge given 10 avense omething?''
The witness said that this oath had been taken:
You and each Of you do covenant and pray and
never cease TO pray God avenge the blood OF the
prophet on this nation" Tho oath. he said. was
taken standing. and each one taking #
CURED 20 bow his head and say II do
Professor Wolfe said that IN Southern Utah and
New-Mexico polygamy is talked with some Free
DOM He quoted Apostle John Henry smith as
having said concerning the manifesto: 1T IL a
trick to beat the devil at his own game" he
quoted John Wilson. OF Logan. prominent Nor
mon, as saying; The manifesto enables The
church to exclude men who ought not 10 have
more than one wife. and gives TO worthy
opportunity 70 take plural wives" Both OF these
statements the witness said. We're made IN his
church
ITO the best Of my knowledge" said Professor
Wolfe, ''pOlygamous cohabtation has increased
very materially since Utah was admitted q
Professor Wolfe's dissatisfaction with Mormor-l
Ism had been a growth since the hostility thae
seemed 70 arise between the church and tha
United States Government. but he had not lost his
faith until late IN 1904 He was asked concerning
the hostility in the church 10 the nation. and
where the lines were drawn. He thought the lines
were between those who we're living IN polygarny
and those who were not He said q number o.
hymns OF the church breathed hostility. and these
were favortes
Mr.. Worthington asked concerning the eaths IN
the Temple, and the witness said he believed that
In the obligation OF vengeance the seed OF treason
was planted. He said he realized that within an
hour after he had taken the OATH and had taken &c
only once for hirlself The other eleven times had
been for dead persons.
An effort was made by Mr.. worthington TO-
procure an unqualified answer TO whether there
was anything in the endowment house ceremony
which would interfere with any serving tn thss
United states Senate, and whether such persons4
duties To the Church and country would conflict.
The witness declared that every NIormon's first
Replying TO questions by Chairman Burrows En- q
witness described the interior OF the Tenlple IA
said that in the secret chapel there ware
paintings in oil OF the presidency and all chS
apostles. Senator 5moots picture was thera, hs
said. Senator Knox asked II there were any halcss
over then and the witness replied that the pictures
were urvarrtShed-