Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-27
SENS IBLE COMMENTS.

The varied opinions and comments OIL
the eastern press on the subject OF the
senatorial election In Utah, are anus
ING 10 people acquainted with the
actual situation, and occasion some sur
prlse at the ignorance OF Utah affairs
that is still displayed by prominent
journalists in the United States. occa-
sionally, however. an editor or regular
correspondent, shows not only a knowl-
edge of the existing situation here, but
a shrewd appreciation Of the motives
and intents of the chronic defamers OF
the Mormon" people, The special corr
respondent Of the Providence, Rhode
Island Telegram, IN recent mammoth
Sunday edition, contains the following
from New York city
"At that great carayansary-the
Waldorf Astorla--I met the other even
ing several prominent western imam
oiers and railroad men 'who are thor
oughly conyersant with affairs In the
Rocky mountain states. When joined
them they were talking about the can
didacy OF Reed Smoot for the United
States Senate. Not having heard OF
this before and knowing Mr.. Smoot,
/ listened to the discussion with great
interest. They say Smoot Is without
doubt in control of the Legislature or
Utah. and will undoubtedly be elected
TO the Senate. He Is strong man In
his state. He has amassed a large for
tune In business enterprises Is gener-
Gus, kindly and highly respected He
is also high member Of the Mormon
Church. He is not now a p0lygamist,
nor has he ever been. His political
enemies, however, and some yellow
Journals propose to set up the shout
of polygamy In order to bring about
the condition that was coincldent with
the election OF Roberts ! can not see
why dead article Of faith should be
eternally waged against prominent
men, who happen to be born into the
Mormon faith. When a man Is sum-
clently prominent in his state 10 be
elected 20 a high and honorable place,
and when that man has lived In con
formity with the laws Of the land pub
lie decency should forbid the clamor
against him. Yet while this appears TO
be the case with members OF other re-
ligious bodies, II does not seem to be
so with the Mormons. When man Is
elected to n seat In the federal govern
ment In Utah, the Gentlles always set
up the cry of poygamy, In this case,
however, 1t does not hit the mark And
II | know Reed Smoot he Is not tho
man 10 avoid the issue. He will be
elected without doubt"
The subioned is taken from the Buff
falo, n. Y, News;
Apostle Smoot Is likely TO come TO
the United States Senate from Utah
seeking admission 10 that body as the
representative OF his State. II he does
come. what will happen 10 him? No
body can tell. Roberts of Utah was eX-
cluded from the House on the ground
that he was a hisamlst, and the Repre-
sentatives. without regard 10 their own
character and habits. threw out the
bigamist. 1t is understood that Smoot
is blameless in private life and is rep
rehensible solely from membership 10
the Mormon Church
IF that is the only objection TO the
man from Utah. he can be excluded
from the Senate only by main strength.
Each house is the sole Judge Of the
qualifications OF its members, and
though the term Is subject TO many in
terpretations II never applies In prac-
tice beyond the ascertainment Of the
formal compliance OF the bearer OF
credentials with the requirements Of
the law. such as the legality Of the cleo
ton and the age and residence OF the
Senator. To keep Smoot out. then he
must be voted out without cause save
that he is a Mormon.
But a citizen may believe In the
practice Of sealing, or plurality OF
wives. without affronting the law as
long as he does not violate the statute
personally. Smoot seems to be only q
believer in the Mormon" doctrine.