Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-23
THE SENATORIAL QUESTION.


A dispatch from Washington D. CO
states that Senator Rawlns made some
Sensational charges in the United
States Senate. which are Of the same
absurd character as those circulated az
home. Until we learn exactly what
the gentleman said. we shall refrain
from further comment except that the
cry recently raised about Church In
Guence in politics, IS but the echo ana
ieverberaton Of the noise which has
become familiar to the political ear
from It's constant repetition.
The facts in the present senatorial
contention are these: There were seven
Republican candidates before the
Legislature. Each Of them had HE
supporters. Not one Of them but hoped
and expected to gain the votes Of Nor
mon" Senators and Representative
and all Of them had some advocates
among the Mormon" Legislators II
was decided to settle the contention In
a caucus Of the Republican members
numbering 81. After ballots had been
cast for each OF the candidates, their
number decreased to five, but neither
OF them could gain the necessary ma
jority-l9. to secure the nomination un-
IN Tuesday evening, when Thomas
Keans received the essential number
Under the caucus pledge the votes Of
his party we're cast for him, Oh the
first ballot. in the joint assembly He
Is TO be the Senator from Utah and
should receive the support OF the people
Of this state.
But It is charged that he secured NE
nomination by improper means, by
bargains and sales. by ecclesiastical
orders" and such Interior influences.
II II were necessary to take up these
vague and rash accusations. made by
persons whose aspirations and intrgpts
have come to naught, we world ask
for bills Of particulars. Pat we only
need to cite a few facts, which viii be
a sufficient answer to the silly stories
and venomous attacks that have be-
come common on such occasions
II anybody has been bought II any
vote or votes have been sold the crime
Of bribery has been committed, and
the charge should be capable OF proof
or It is criminal to prefer II. We do not
believe that any member Of the Legis-
iature has bartered his vote or indu-
ence in this contest, nor do we believe
that the successful candidate has at
tempted 70 gain his election by the use
Of money or any unlawful method.
OF che necessary 10 10 make up the
majority in the caucus, we find
there were eight non-"Mormon'
members. That Is a larger per
centage Of che total on ell
Their side than Of Mormon" members.
Were they swayed by Church "orders."
or "counsels," or undue Influence
without their votes lt would have been
impossible TO effect The nomination, No
argument need be used TO show the alb
surdlty OF the charge. II the Republic
can members OF the Legislature had
any reason 20 believe that improper
means had been used to effect the nom
ination. would they have Joined as a
unit to elect the nominee who had thus
obtained this prominence? II so would
not that be as great a condemnation as
could possibly be passed on the party2
And seeing that Il is palpably false, will
those members Of the Legislature pass
It by with contempt considering the
source from which It came, or will they
resent Il as Il deserves?
The echo OF the Islander IN the Senate
chamber at Washington, gives Il a die
nifty # would not otherwise have as
sumed The Republican party as rep
resented IN the legislature OF Utah,
owes e. 20 Itself 10 treat this matter as
truth and TIA own interest require We
leave It TO those who have been DC.
famed IN ths eyes OF the state and Of
the nation TO take such steps as the
nature OF the case demands.
Now as TO The influence used
IN this senatorial struggle Each
OF the candidates had counter
ance and support from some
leading and prominent Church OH.
cial We can mention names and viii
do 20 II Il becomes necessary. II 81
Is true that some Apostle or Apostle.
favored the election OF Mr. Kearns
there are other Apostles who supporte,
other candidates and opposed Mr.