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Show Senators Reopen Smoot Inquiry With I Brigham H. Roberts on Witness Stand I PRIES A3 TO II CHIU OATHS I Religious Influences h Cause Defeat. Would Lsse Caste If He SI Should Reveal Endowment I Heuse Obligation. . I His Moral Duty to Plural Wives I Greater Than Laws of God I or Man. H WASHINGTON, April 20. With I the reopening of the investlga- H tlon In the Reed Smoot case be- H fore the Senate Committee on H Privileges and Elections, the prosecu- RH tlon devoted considerable time to draw- MH lug- from Brigham II. Roberts the character of the oaths which are said to be necessary for a Mormon officer to take In order to have the support of the fl church for political office. H Mombers of the committeo showed an IH equal Interest In the obligations which H are said to be taken by Mormons who "go through the endowment hous." IH Along both lines much evidence was H brought out. Bl It was shown by the testimony of II Mr. Roberts that without the consent of the Mormon church he failed of elec- Si tlon toa sj;at. in Congress and Inter II with churoh recognition of his can- BH didacy lie was elected. IH Beticent About Endowment House. KU In relation to the endowment house Kl obligation, Mr. Roberts was extremely IH reticent. He said that the sacrednes? IH of the secrecy was such that he could IH not roveal It to the world, and that if IH he did so he would lose caste with the IH church as having betrayed a trust. IH Portions of the testimony given by 'IH Mr. Roberts, especially in regard to bis iH reasons for maintaining polygamous co- IH habitation with his plural wlvos. was ilH almost a duplication of the testimony IH given by other polygamists who hae IH been on the stand. IH Mr. Robeils said that ho regarded the laws of God as higher than the laws jH of the land and that his moral obliga- EH tion to his wives was1 greater than IH both the laws of God and man. JH It was announced thnt seven wit- iH nesses would be heard before the ad- jH journment of Congress, and It is al- jjH most certain that the committee will then adjourn to convene July ISth. At IH that time will be examined witnesses EH who were unable to come to Washing- BH ton and others who could not be reached 11 with summons to no mo hrrv Opened Without Formality. KH The hearing opened without formal- 1 ity. Brigham 11. Roberts wan called IH to the stand by Mr. Tayler. He was MH questioned to bring out a statement of his official connection with the church. WM Mr. Roberts said he was elected to the position of one of the first seventy prcs- mM ldcnts in 1SS3, and entered politics about 1SS9. His interest was manifested In mM making speeches, but he was not a can-didate can-didate for office until 1S04. He then was WM He was then elected as a member of 11 the constitutional convention which met In IS95. He explained his candidacy fo-Congress fo-Congress and the opposition that had developed from Mormon sources. He fM said the church had opposed the elec-tlon elec-tlon of hiKh officers of the church to membership of the constitutional con-vention con-vention and that he had accordingly consented not to urge bin candidacy. Ho said that Joseph Smith 'as th? IH member of the first presidency who eald the ruling had been modified. He ex-plabicd ex-plabicd fully cortain criticisms which had been made of an allcgod Influenoe which the first presidency and apostle had brought to bear against the present j aspirations of himself and others. Entered a Protest. Mr. Roberta said lie protested and U-tor U-tor the church took up his protests, Mr. Roberts was defeated the first time hr ran for Congress. He thought the lajt child was born three or four years ago, In response to questions of Mh Tay- Ier, Mr. Roberts said his first plural marriage was performed by D. H. Wells, counsellor to the apostles, and he thought the ceremony was performed at the home of Mr. Wells's ron. Senator Overman Inquired of Mr. Roberts whether his first and second wife had consented to hi? marriage to , jB his third wife. "No. sir," said Mr. Roberts. Contin-ulng Contin-ulng he said they dJd not learn of th marriage for three or four years. "How was that?" naked Senator Bev-cridge. Bev-cridge. "Do you mean to say that the marrlago was not known to anyone?" I "It was known to some of my frienda, IH but not to my wives," was the answer. "Why was this marriage opnoealed from them?" asked Chairman Burrows. JB "Because I did uot want to embarra:- "How embarrass them?" "Well, we knew the marriage was il-legal il-legal and might be embarrassing to them If they should for any reason be called on to testify." Mr. Roberts said his third wife wan jH the divorced wife of Dr. Shipp. and In regard to his courtship, he said he al-ways al-ways had met her at the house of mu- II ! - 1 t tunl friends and lind never cnlled on her 1 j I ' " nt her home. He also said that she con-I con-I I i tinned to live in her home, but that he I j S never had called on her there until she I removed to rooms on Main street, Salt j Lake. I I ; Not Aware of That Fact. I ! Li - Mr. Taylcr asked Mr. Koberts If he I I knew that MuKPfic Shlpp Roberts lived I j in a house where lived her divorced I J husband and two of his divorced wives. j; i Mr. Koberts said ho was aware of that I , ' fact. I Senator Dubois asked In regard to the I ,. i secrecy of his marriage, and declared I j, j that he (Dubois) believed Mr. "Wells. I i 1 who married him, represented the Mor-I Mor-I 'H , f mon authorities. The witness believed I 1 ; . that, said Senator Dubois." because of I ! U - t. Mr. "Wells's position as counselor to the I i i . apostles. According: to Mr. Roberts, he I'M said there is no record of his last mar-H mar-H t, '2, rlat'G. thoujrh the ceremony is the same I ' as that which was used In his other I I 'marriages. I 1 Chuinnan Hurrows desired to know u i " whether Mr. Wells knew the wltneso I ,l had a wife livinp when he married the I ",r third wife. i p , "He did," said Mr. Roberts. "He mar-R mar-R , if rled me to my second wife." H 1 J Mr. Pcttus naked if the church ever I (' j . had reprimanded him or the high ofll-' ofll-' cers who performed the ceremony. Mr. Roberts said nothing had been said to ' : l n- ... "7.n Mr. Taylcr asked Mr. Roberts why lie thought Jt incumbent upon him to tako j plural wives. "From boyhood." repliqd the witness, i , -r "i had been taught the rightfulness of J -r"- plural marriages, and I believed this practice to be the law of God. I knew , ' that this practice was contrary to the , mandates of Congress, out believed that the law of God was the highest rule, ' and I felt Impelled to obey it ' Still Believes in Polygamy. z- Chairman Burrows asked a number of pointed questions, which brought the confession from Mr. Roberts that he still believed in and is practicing polyg-. polyg-. amy. He said that he believes the ' Woodruff manifesto was divinely !n-.H. !n-.H. Aspired, and that now in practicing polygamy po-lygamy he knows that he is disobeying the laws of the land and the laws of God. He was asked why he continued to disobey the laws of God if he bc-Hevcd bc-Hevcd them to be the highest laws, and with a resigned air, he said: "Well, the manifesto left- me in the midst of obligations to these wives. 1 am trying to do the best I can to live within the laws, but these obligations 1 , cannot shirk." I- The committee adjourned until tins j x afternoon, with Mr. Roberts' exnmlna- 1 Vv llon unfinished. At the afternoon session, Mr. Tayler j ' " asked concerning the conviction of Mr. .. : Roberts in 1S04 of the crime of poly- gamy. Senator Bailey objected to the line of inquiry in regard to the conviction and service of Mr. Roberts in the penitentiary. peniten-tiary. He said lie thought the udmir-. udmir-. slon of the witness that he had violated I i. the laws was sufllclent. Mr. Tayler said this wasto determine whether the authorities of the Mormon 7 church had taken any action in respect ,7, to the witness living- with more than ' one wife. Mr. Roberts said no action "- had ever been taken by the church, f - " Questions were asked respecting the wives of Mr. Roberts and regarding the t " ' ' manifesto of 1S90 regarding plural wives and living in polygamous cohabitation. Binding Upon All Members. The witness said he regarded the 3 manifesto as an administration act of the church and of binding force upon all members. He admitted that to disobey dis-obey any of those laws would subject , the member to liability to discipline. ' j The witness was asked then In regard , to polygamous cohabitation at the tlma , ' the rule was made against such cohabi tation and paid that he and many others , were living in polygamy at the time the ft. rule was made against such cohablta- Z Hon and that they considered them- selves under obligations to live with the v. Ives they had married. "Do you think you are morally bound to cohabit with all of your wives?" i -t Chairman Burrows asked. ! - "I do." "How many children have you i , 2 "Thirteen living." 1 2 "How many not living." '. , - "Two." r "When was the last one born?" X "About two or two and a half years ' , 2? aK0-" m. The witness then was turned over to the defense and Mr. Van Cott opened the cross examination. Mr. Van Cott asked in regard to tho rule which permits ofllccrs of the church to enter politics. Tho witness nuld he regarded regard-ed It us morcly a "leave of absence from church official duties during Incumbency of uolltlcnl ofllcr." He said he did not regard It ns an Indorsement by tho Mormon Mor-mon church. It was brought out that In his first canvass can-vass for office, when ho hud not the consent con-sent or leave of absence, he was defeated. In his second canvass ho obtained the "leave of absence" and was clouted. His Religious Obligations. Senator Bailey aBked the witness lo give his views of ids obligations as a citizen, and whether thoro could be a religious obligation which would Justify him in denying his services to his Statu lo cIIh-cliargc cIIh-cliargc duties which would (Involve upon him by the acceptance of a political mission. mis-sion. t Mr. Roberts' said alio. cincrReney might arise whereby an officer should resign his political ofllce If the will of his constituents constitu-ents would not permit him to perform his duties in harmony with the church mandates man-dates , .. Senator Hallev -called attention to the church rulo which forbids an officer to accept ac-cept an office without the consent of the church unless ho resigns his office In the church or Is "reduced to the r.-inks " "In tho event of such a crisis.' said the witness, "1 think one wouhl have to rely on the individual's patriotism-' Defied Church and Was Defeated. "Hut patriotism and religion In such a case would be in conflict." sold Senator Bailey. "At one time you dclleu tno church, did you notY" "I did." "And you were defeated?' Because you refused (o submit to tho orders of the church?" -1 think T was enlightened by tho church," said tho witness. "And when you wore enlightened and did submit to those orders you were elected?" Mr.Roberls :ald that both ho and Apostle Apos-tle Thatcher had stood out against the church rule, and that -ho had withdrawn ids opposition to the rule and was elected lSenalor Dubois brought out the fact that Thatcher did not submit to the church at that tluo and was defeated. Senator Bailey asked the witness If it was not true that the political support of the Mormon church In Utah was sought by political parlies, the same as the Irish, the German or Italian vote was sought Jn other communltlt'S. ,,.,, "1 believe not.'- said Mr. Roberts. "There may he Individuals who triPd their sails that way. bfit ndt the" church. Would Get Consent. Chairman Burrows Inquired. "If you were invited to accept a political ofllce. would you feel at liberty to accede lo the request without ursl getting consent, from the church?" I think not "' . , If your request were refused you would not feel at liberty to run for tho ofllce? '.'That would depend upon the emergency and which was the more binding, my duties as an oftlcer of tho church, or my duties as a citizen." ; "And If you decided ihe church should be considered first." "Then 1 should decline the offlec-"Wcll, offlec-"Wcll, if tho church should refuse to consent and you should still accept the office, what action would bo taken by c church?" , , "Probably I would bo called upon for un explanation." - "What if you should Inform the church that you regarded your duty to tho Stnto above that to tho -church? Would the attlludo of tho church be one of hostility? i "I cannot bcltevo there would be any ! action taken politically." Never Told of Vision. Resuming cross-examining and quoting from the records of the testimony of B. B. Crltchlow, Mr. Van Cott asked Mr. Roberts If he ever had told! Mr. Crltchlow that he had a vision of his dead ancestors which induced hhu to change his attitude toward tho rule pertaining lo permission to run for office Mr. Roberts said ho never had made such a statement. Ho nlso said ho never had i stated that ho bad seen his ancestors In perdition and that they could not go through tho Tcmplo and be baptized unless un-less he conformed to tho wishes of the chinch. Tho witness said ho had been through the endowment house; that tho endowment house oath or ceremony was not performed In tho temples. "Can you not tell us In regard to this ceremony?" asked Chalrmin Burrows. "I cannot. I do not feel at liberty to do so. 1 consider myself In trust and not at liberty to disclose what takes place." Mr. Roberts said that the obligations were secret and ho thought them not un-llko un-llko tho oaths of the Masonic order or other secret societies. Would Lose Caste. "What would happen if you did reveal 1 what took place In the temple?" asked tho chairman. "I would lose caste and bo regarded as betraying a trust. If 1 keep faith I cannot can-not dlscloao what take3 place." "Then," pursued Chairman Burrows, "any person who takes the endowment houso obligation Is under oath not to reveal re-veal Its nature?" "I think so," "And Senator Smoot could not reveal his oath of thot character?" The witness nodded his head In acquiescence. acqui-escence. Senator Bnllev asked whether there was anvthing In the ceremony that abridged u miin's freedom In nny political or religious way. Tho witness replied ho thought not. Chairman Burrows asked again what there was In tho obligation which makes It necessary that II be kept from tho world. "Its general sacredncss, answered Mr Roberts. Should Be Kept From World. "Do you think there is anything secrcd Which ought to bo kept from the world?' "I think there are some things that should bo kept." "Can you name one tiling In thai oath which should bo kepi from tho world?" "I cannot state 11." "Why? Rcaidse you are under obligations obliga-tions not to tell or because you cannot remember?" re-member?" "I ask thccommlttco that 1 may be excused ex-cused from stating." "Very well, wo accept your explanation," explana-tion," said tho chnlrman. "only 1 cannot understand such an organization having such things In Its obligations to members which cannot be given to tho world." Tho witness made no answer until reference refer-ence was ngaln made to the oalh, and then ho said: "1 do not think 1 can throw any light upon tho matter." As to the Obligation. Mr. Van Cott started to question the witness In regard to tho obligation. His questions indicated a purpoHe to show that the obligation could Intcrcro in no manner with tho rights of citizens, when Senator Pettus Interrupted: "If the wll-neFS wll-neFS cannot tell what this obligation is, I do not think ho has the right to construe for tho commltteo and thus create confusion con-fusion In regard to it " After much discussion, It was decided that the line of questioning pursued by tho defense was not In order. In view of the witness' refusal to state the nature of tho obligation. Attorney Worlhlngton asked If the obligation ob-ligation did not relate entirely to spiritual affairs; whether temporal affairs in any way were affected by It. Senator Bailey said he did not think tho question had uny bearing or that it would In any manner influence tho committee in its llnnl decision, and tho witness was permitted to answer. Ho said he believed tho obligation related .speclilcolly to spiritual spir-itual affairs. Tho commltteo resumes tho Inquiry tomorrow. |