The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-03
THE o CASE.

Reea Smoot, the apostolic senator
elect from Utah, would be permitted
to take his seat without a strong eff
fort of those who are opposing him on
religious grouAds to prevent it. So
long as their plo.csts were merely
confined to the fact that he is one
Of the leaders of a church hat many
believe to be founded upon wrong
and vicious principles the country at
large was incdlined to consider their
opposition not worthy of meriting seri-
GUS consideration from the senate. In
fact many we're inclined to take the
side OF the apostle, holding the fight
making againt him to be one of preju-
dice and based upon principles and
theories wholly at variance with Amer
lean ideas and the spirit OF religious
and political tolerance which is the
nations greatest boast. Now, how
ever, when they come, as does the
reverend gentleman representing
some of the gentle religious denomi-
nations of the Utah capital, and open
ly declare Mr.. Smoot to be a violator
of n of the very laws that as a sen
ator he would be obliged to swear to
uphold, the matter assumes a. different
aspect and becomes one in which
more than the church people are in
terested. The charge is given all the
weight of a sworn statement and con
sequently should not be passed lightly
and as unworthy of the attention of
the body to whom it is directed.
Mr.. Leilitch, the accuser OF SmOot,
charges the latter with being a
polygamist and with having taken a
plural wife since the time when Utah
was admitted to statehood, a thing,
which, if true, is in violation of the
laws and compact between the in
dividual state and the general gov
eminent. AS in all other cases, the
burden of proof in this lies with the
prosecution, proof they claim that is
to be had if the secret archives of the
Mormon church can be had access to.
If proof can be obtained in no other
way it would seem as though the &C
cusers of Smoot will find themselves
with a mighty hard case to establish.
Demand is made of the senate that 1t
take steps to have those archives
produced for it's inspection. This is
q demand easier made than acceded
to. Even if the head of the Mormon
church can be compelled to produce
the records their production and pos
sible showing OF nothing discriminatory
of Smoot will not be accepted as proof
positive OF the falsity OF the charge.
Records can be changed easily by
expiration and alterations and If
those in the possession OF the quorum
of twelve apostles, of which Smoot is
one. and the president of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
did at one time contain entries sub
stantiatory of the charges by
Mr.. Leilitch they may be depended
unon not to contain them when they
are submitted for the inspection OF
the senate. The Mormons have done
other and graver things in what they
considered the defense of their heav-
en- given church than to merely alter
records and such a small matter as
changing ever the secret archives OF
that church will probably not at this
late day prevent them from doing
what they have reason for believing
will prove to their benefit.
It would seem that proper and COM
petent testimony of the mans gullt'
if guilty he really is, could be secur-
cd outside of the secret archives OF
the church. The mere fact that the
| ~accusers of the apostle charge MIN
| specifically with sustaining polyga-
nous relations of itself suggests the
possibility of the existence OF suci
! testimony. At all events, the tounda-
ton has been laid and Mr.. Smoot may
rest assured that he will not be per
r,itted to take his seat until the mat
for has been investigated thoroughly
.,a +bo +r,th fully ascertained.