Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-03

| will the disgrace Of money enter into II.
At all events II VIII be clean election
From present indications the only name
that viii be presented Will be that OF
Mr.. Reed Smoot. 1.-The name OF no other
man has been even so much as whis-
pered, II Is by no means a rash pre-
diction to say that he VIII be elected
on the first ballot,
IN JUSTICE TO sMooT.
A significant circumstance, and one
that must be pleasing to Mr. Smoot, is,
that the people Of his own town, Pro-
vo, and who do not belong to his
Church, have prepared statement
which has been circulated and is being
largely signed The list OF signatures
IL headed by Rev. James Stoddard, rec
tor OF the Emanuel Episcopal church.
and then follow the names Of an the
prominent nom" Mormons" In the town,
regardless OF politics. This Is being
done in justice to Mr.. Smoot, and to
counteract the movement inaugurated
by the Ministerial alliance In Salt Lake
made against him for the purpose Of
securing his defeat. Copies VIII be
sent to members OF the United States
senate. The following Is the state
ment:
THE STATEMENT.
To Whom This Statement may con-
Germ.
We, the undersigned. citizens OF the
United States, and residents OF Provo
City, Utah, the home of Hon. Reed
snoot, respectfully submit the follow-
ing: We are not members OF the
Mormon church but in fairness TO Mr..
Smoot, we state viz,
First-The reports circulated In the
press Of some parts OF the United
States to the effect that he Is po-
lygamIst is ridiculous IN the extreme
to us, and must be 20 the minds Of
all fair-minded people who know him,
and said reports are plainly intended,
by those prompting them, wilfully or
In ignorance Of his life. TO misrepresent
the gentleman
Second-Reports are also current
that Mr.. Smoot, who is candidate for
United States senator Is the creature
and candidate OF the Mormon Church
for the position, and that he viii be
the senator OF said Church II elected
We do not believe such statements
can be honestly made by men acquaint-
ed with Mr.. Smoot. but we Go believe
they are made by people determined
20 prejudice his candidacy regardless
OF the methods TO be employed We
know TIE gentleman TO he homes; fear-
less anG OF sterling worth, and not
the mean character out of which tools
such as his culmnators say ne would
be, are formed. We believe Mr.. SmOOt
20 be a man Of that high integrity
that he would decline any political
office II he could not accept II with that
freedom, independence and manhood
that should be borne by every true
American citizen In political place. We
are confident that Mr. Smoot would
Immediately refuse TO accept any Office
II the duties OF his Church required
him to surrender his Independence In
the exercise Of his functions In the
slightest degree.
Third-Our opinions and beliefs with
respect to Mr.. Smoot. stated above.have
been formed by an intimate acdualnt-
ance and coming In contact with him
almost daily, through an extended Pc
Rod OF the past He Is progressive
and active. His business life bears
strong marks OF power to execute his
undertakings He Is known - chaste
and pure IN all his relations, both prl-
vate and public is the husband Of one
wife and his home is one OF the ideal
homes Of the republic.
Fourth--He has always been q stanch
Republican, and has been among the
fore ranks In bringing the party to
predominant In this state He repre-.
sents young Utah" with all Of It's
commendable progress, and was one or
the earliest advocates OF the division
Of the citizens OF this state on national
party lines.