Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-02-15
MORE OF SMO0T CASE
Hearing Of Testimony Against Sen.
ator from Utah Continued.
SPOKE OF TYRANNY OF PRIESTHOOD.


Washington, Feb. Gin the investi
cation of protests against Senator
Reed Smoot, of Utah, before the com
mittee on privileges and elections
Prof. Walter M. Wolfe, who was 9
teacher in Mormon schools and mem
Der Of the church until very recently
was Thursday subjected to a severe
cross examination by A. s. Worthing-
ton, counsel for the senator.
Charles A. Smurthwaite, Of, Ogden,
Utah, testified that he had been ex-
communicated by the Mormon church
in April, 1905. He is a director in
Beck Salt works and told Of having
been called to Salt Lake City to see
President Joseph F. Smith and mem
bers Of the the first presidency which
held the controlling interest In the
Inland Crystal Salt company. In COM
pany with Richard Taylor, Mr..
Smurthwaite met the first presidency,
he said, and was told by President
Smith that If he remained In the salt
business in competition with the
church he would be ruined.
During his testimony Mr.. Lawrence
referred frequently to the tyranny of
the priesthood that existed during his
membership In the church and Chair
man Burrows asked If that tyranny ex-
listed today. The witness said that
there was u.ore liberality shown now
but that man who desired to continue
in good standing in the church must
obey the leaders in all things. In re-
gard to teachings Of the church he said
that nowhere In the books was there
to be found anything directing loyalty
to the government and that they sang
a song containing the lines Brigham
Young is our king" He said from the
preachings he had heard he believed
that the teachings were the same to-
day. He said the revelation Of poly
gamy must be believed by good
church member whether he practiced
It or not, for to suspend one revela-
ton would be to suspend them ALL |
Mr.. Lawrence testified that he had |
been creditably informed that the |
Woodruff manifesto had been opposed
by quorum Of the apostles and there
lore was Of no force and effect. He
declined to reveal the name Of his in
Dormant on the ground that 1t would |
njure him and was permitted to with
iraw his statement.
G. M. owen, who has been employed
N getting evidence against Mr.. Smoot,
was then called. Mr.. Carlisle submit
ed a list of the members Of the con-
'tltutional convention, all of the mem
,ers Of legislatures, state officers and
,thers who have held office since Utah
vas admitted to statehood. Mr.. Owen
marked the list showing that of those
every governor, secretary
II state, treasurer. auditor and SUI
OF schools had been NOR
mons; that two-thirds Of every legis-
AZURE were mormons: that in each
legislature there had been from one to
EN- polyeaDists and in the constitu-
ional convention out Of lis members
here were seventy Mormons, 30 Of
whom were polygamists. The supreme
'ourt was gentle, he said, and the
Ither courts mixed. NJ. worthlngton
ought TO show that two-thlrds Of the
Jtah population was Mormon, but ow-
n said be did not think this was true
1 the present time.
The oommitte adjourned until 10
o'clock Friday. Mr.. Carlisle said be
bought be could close the protestants
ass q The forenoon session.
Larrsst SAILING sAip Aao.a
BremerhaYen, Feb. s-At Rick
aar'H shipyard here Thursday there
ne launched the biggest sailing ship
\ he world. The length Of the craft
3 fss feet her BREATH Is 81 fee ana
hs b q 5000 tDns burden.