Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-07
Professor Walter NJ. Wolfe,
Formerly of Brigham Young
College Testities
REPEATS THE TEMPLE OATH
Declares That Manifesto Was Describ-
ed by Prominent Mormons as a
Trick to Beat the Devil at His Own
Game-Reed smoot Hearings Are
Resumed by Senate Committee.

Washington, Feb. Hearings In
the case of Senator Smoot were re-
sumed today before the committee on
privileges and elections. The investi-
CATION of the protests against the sem
ator retaining his seat have con-
tinued thru two sessions OF congress
and today marked the beginning OF
meetings which the committee is likely
to hold intermittently throughout the
present session. The first witness was
Professor walter M. Wolfe, former
teacher of geology in Brigham Young
College, Logan. Utah, and an apostate
of the church. John G. Carlisle, OF
New York, conducted the prosecution,
and A. S. Worthington, of Washing
ton, defended the senator. Wolfe tes-
titled he had been a Mormon until
January 1, of 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 Profess
sor Benjamin Cluff and Florence
Reynolds, both teachers at Provo. In
detailing what he knew of their rela-
tions he told of a Mormon expedition
to Mexico. Wolfe said he had been in
formed at the time by !Cluff he was
= iElo nd q
they lived together on that trip. Pres
ident Smith, he said, referred to Flor
ence as Sister Cuff" 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 obli-
cations of chastity, sacrifice and ven
geance.
What do you mean by vengeance?"
asked Carlisle.
The witness said this oath had been
taken:
"You and each of you do coven-
ant and pray and never cease to
, pray God to avenge the blood Of
the prophet on this nation"
The oath, he said, was taken stand
ing and at the conclusion each one
taking it was required to bow their
heads and say II do.'
After giving many other details Of
the ceremony such as the manner OF
amounting he was asked concerning
the trial had by the board of Brigham
Young academy as to reasons for the
long absence of Cluff from the Mexi-
can expedition. Witness said Apostle
Smoot was among those in attendance;
that he had heard the testimony given
by the witness himself; that the reas-
on for Cuffs absence was because he
was living apart with! q plural wife.
Wolfe said in southern Utah and New
Mexico poligamy Is talked with some
freedom. He quoted Apostle John Henry
Smith for having said concerning the
"It is trick to beat the
devil at his own game" He quoted
John Wilson, a prominent Mormon, as
saying: '"The manifesto enables the
church to exclude. men who ought not
to have more than one wife and gives
to worthy men an opportunity to take
plural wives" These statements, wit
ness said, were made in his church.
ITO the best of my knowledge" said
Wolfe, "polygamous cohabitation has
increased very materially since Utah
was admitted as state"
Wolfe said he believed the "seed of
treason" was sown in the oath Of ven-
geance. In answer to a question by
Chairman Burrows he described the in
terror of the temple. Among the pic
lures was one of Senator Smoot. The
committee adjourned until tomorrow.
On cross examination Mr.. Worthing-
ton produced the original charges
brought against C1uff, by Wolfe and
other members Of the Mexican expedi-
IlOH. WlIlltSS W0tS dSh00 WHY uc udO
refrained from making the charge that
Cluff was living in Mexico with Flor
ence Reynolds. For several reasons"
replied Wolfe. '.rhe chief one was that
was not crime in the eyes
of the church" When asked concern
ing some Of the proceedings of that
trial, particularly concerning intimate
details, he said there was a gentleman
in the room who was better qualified
to answer. "whow asked Worthing
ton. "The senator from Utah." he re-
Piled.
After stating Smoot had not been a
member Of the subcommittee making
the investigation Worthingtoa asked
The witness concerning his habits and
whether he had been discharged from
his position as teacher because of
He said his resignation
had been involuntary voluntary" He
explained he had drank for twenty