Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-01-10
THE SENSATION OF THE HOUR.

The chief topic Of popular CONVERSE
ton in this city just now Is the alleged
message" Of President Roosevelt to
the Utah Legislature, There Is a strong
feeling Of doubt as to the correctness Of
the dispatch sent to the morning pa
pers, and a decided reluctance TO be-
leye that the Presid9nt OF the United
States would step so far outside Of his
official prerogatiyes, as TO interfere in
any way with the election Of United
States senator That Is the position in
which the Deseret News stands at pres
ent.
II Is almost incredible that the Presl-
dent would send such message in such
a manner. AT any rate, the Legisla-
ture and people Of this state may ra-
tionally and legally, decline TO take Of
fetal notice OF n mere newspaper re-
port-for that Is all II Is at present--in
which the names OF eminent persons
are used for evident personal ends.
The special Is the same to both papers.
II Is signed by the correspondent Of the
Salt Lake Tribune. II was furnished TO
him. doubtless, by the same hand that
has figured in a number Of dispatches,
many Of them amusing exaggeratlons.
concerning the junior senator from
Utah. How much Of truth there is In
Il, and hoI mGch Of application Of
private conversation, dressed up in re-
portorlal style for sensational pur-
poses, has not yet been determined.
We refuse TO accept a message
from the President OF the United States
delivered in such dubious manner II
is first filtered through the junior sem
ator, then moulded by a. press agent
then wired by the correspondent Of a
paper, not altogether free from the rep
utatlon Of publishing bogus or
patched up special dispatches,
II the President has anything
to say officially to our Legls-
lature he can say It diNct It will then
be received, no doubt, with the respect
due TO such a communication These
second or rather third hand expressions
Of opinion, win take good many
grains of salt to be seriously received.
AS sample Of journalistic accuracy
In such matters, take the announce
ment In naring big headline type IN
this mornings Salt Lake Herald;
"sMOOT REJECTS. APOSTLE
HuRLs DEFIANCE AT PRESIDENT
ROOSEVELT" Read those words and
then scan the matter that follows?
Does Reed smoot reject" anything
Does he "hurl defiance" at anybody?
There Is not line or a syllable in the
few words extracted from him that
justines the accusation. II Is false,
through and through. IL Is a libel
sheer and simple 1t is the same with
the heading Of the leading editorial In
the same paper; "ROOSEVELTS UL-
TIMATUM TO UTAH" Has the Pres-
dent issued any"ultlmatum2'If so what
IL II? There Is no proof yet that the
President has sent an official message
or even private intimation, to Utah,
Such journalism is shameful and con-
tempube
Possibly certain persons interested in
defeating Mr. Shoots candidacy had a
conversation about It with President
Roosevelt, and he may have conceded
with some Of their yiews--and again he
may not. who can tell?-but II is ex-
tremely doubtful that he would take
the course attributed to him. and thus
expose himself to general anmadyer-
sion for endeayoring to direct the cleo
ton OF a United States senator. Mr..
Loose has been mentioned as having
an interview with the President. He
has now returned and what is the re-
sult2 lie declares himself more than
ever a supporter Of Mr. Shoots candi-
dacy. He very properly declines 10 dis
close particulars Of private converse
ton. a mark OF discretion which might
have been followed with profit by 9TH
ers. But the attitude Of Mr., Loose in
this connection is highly significant.
But what ought the Legislature to do
IN this natter Go-ahead and elect a
Senator as the majority may determine.
without regard TO sensational press
dispatch, or anything else than the
sworn duties OF the legislative Office.
That is the common sense course to
pursue. The idea that a body Ike that
should be swayed in the slightest man
ner by such an attempt Of interested
parties 20 befool Il, is too preposterous
for wise men TO entertain. The plot
tiers must have a poor opinion of the
kind Of gentlemen chosen 10y the people
OF Utah to represent them. do what
ia right let the consequence follow