The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-12
MORMON EARS KEPT
HOT BY THE SENATE
A Vicious Republican Wind
Against Statehood.
OEPEW RAISES A LAUGH
The Department of Commerce Bill Now Goes
10 the President for His Signature---
Morgan Speaks on the Treaty
With Colombia.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 11.-During the dis
cussion of the Statehood Bill in the
Senate today Mr.. Hanna called up the
conference report on the Department OF
Commerce Bill, which he presented yes
terday, and it was agreed to without
debate. The bill now goes to the Presi-
dent.
Mr.. Morgan, almost Immediately after
the opening of the session, resumed mis-
remarks on the Statehood Bill, but
branched off on the subject of the pro-
posed treaty with Colombia. He refer
red to the concordat of Pope Plus TX,
which constituted a part of the organic
law of Colombia, and said that the United
States intended to put the heel OF
ignominous contempt upon it. He pre-
dicted a return of hostilities between
the old church party in Colombia and
the liberal party.
Taking up the subject of Mormon in
fuence in politics, Mr.. Morgan referred
to the election of Mr.. Smoot as Sena-
tor from Utah, and said he would never
think of opposing his entry into the
the Mormon Church, because religion in
this country by the Constitution is in
tended to be free and intended to be
protected.
Reverting to the treaty with Colombia
for the construction of an isthmian canal,
Mr.. Morgan said the United States in
tended to put the heel of ignominous
contempt on the organic law of Colon
bia with respect to religious freedom
and trample it under foot. eve are
treating with those people," he said,
with the intent and purpose of de-
stroying that law or else for the pur-
pose, and under such circumstances as
to disgrace the United States" He
asked who was to reconcile the two
propositions when the Colombians con-
tend for their organic religious law
while the United States is contending for
the Constitution of the United States,
and who would prevent return of the
hostilties now apparently closed between
the old church party, which maintained
these dogmas and the liberal party,
which have been fighting them in every
country.
He said the people of the United State
are not going to listen to arguments
against Mormonism in Utah or Arizona,
when we are straining every power for
action upon treaty with Colombia, hav-
ing such an organic religious law as he
had referred to.
Mr.. Depew followed in opposition TO
the Omnibus Statehood Bill. He said
that the head of the Mormon church, who
is the spiritual and temporal guide OF
the Mormon people, was in a position to
say to the leaders of both political
parties, What will you do to protect
Mormonsm?" If there is any fallibility
in the world, he said, it is the Judgment
at election time of the political leader
of any party.
"If that is true, interrupted Mr.. Pat
terson, of Colorado, why did the Re-
publican party two years ago make
greater bid for the Mormon vote than
did the Democrats?"
Replying Mr.. Depew said both parties
made every possible bid, but the Mo--
mons trusted the Republicans" which
caused laughter He characterized the
anti-polygamy section of the Statehood
Bill as a sham, and said there had been
no proposition from the Democratic side
to strengthen it.
Mr. Teller said that if a day would
be set when a vote could be taken the
Democrats would all join in strengthen
ing the provision referred to.
At the conclusion Of an executive seS-
sion the Senate adjourned until tomor
row.