Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-13
SHOOTS CANDIDACY
HE IS DETERMINED TO WIN THE
SENATORIAL RACE.
Official Representative of the Mormon
Church--Gentiles Waging Hot
Battle Against Him.

politicians of Utah regarding the election of
Apostle Smoot to the United States Senate
which was conveyed recently by Senator
kearns will, in my judgment. be of little
avail said Robert s. Jackson of Salt Lake
City at the New Willard. "Smoot's en-
trance into the senatorial race was spec
tacular and the adverse criticism it has met
with has made him and his followers all
the more anxious to carry out his intention
of coming to the Senate.
Two months before the November cleo
tions Senator Kearns was invited to Pro-
vost. the home of Apostle Smoot, OF attend
rally Of the republican wOman's clubs
of that city. Senator Kearns presided at
that meeting. During the meeting Mr..
Kearns was created to the surprise of his
life, when Apostle Smoot arose and an
nounced his candidacy for the United States
Senate. kearns was dumfouIded. The an
nouncement under the circumstances could
be construed in but one way-that Smoot
was making the race with Kearns' indorse-
ment. But the senator was angry. He re-
turned to Salt Lake. admitted that he had
been the victim of a panel game and his
advisers. including Perry Heath. set about
to mend matters. But the damage had
been done. The Smoot forces nominated
candidates for the legislature In almost
every county in the state and the election
of the republican assembly meant that the
Smoot men controlled the situation.
1T Is an open secret that Reed Smoot is
the Official representative of the Mormon
Church in this campaign for the Senate
and the Gentiles of the Mormon state are
waging hot, though 1 think Intellectual
battle against the ambitious latter-day
saint. The GentileS hope to create so much
feeling against smoot that his own good
sense will make him decline the election;
but nay, nay, he Is stirred up now and will
fight to the bitter end.
1.-The Gentiles argue that Smoot should be
apostle in the Mormon Church. They de-
clare that with Smoot the church comes
first, the country being a sc ndary con-
sideration.
''Is is further asserted that no man who
is in direct line of succession to the head
Of the Mormon Church should be sent to
the United States Senate. Smoot Is young
man. they say. and the chances are he will
finally succeed to the first presidency, the
place held so long by Brigham Young.
''As the heads Of the church die the apos-
ties succeed to the first presidency in the
order of their seniority In point Of service.
The present president. Joseph F. Smith, is
SiXty-SeVen years old
Brigham Young, jr., who is the heir to
the throne, Is seriously i'll, and it is not be-
lieved he will live many months. His death
would make Smoot one notch nearer the
first presidency. With the exception of
is what might be called young man in
front Of him In line of succession.
"Smoot entered the race for the Senate
determined to win He realizes there Is
hard fight against him after he is electd by
the state legislature and IS frankly answer
ing all questions put to him as to his po-
litical and religious position. He protests
against connecting the church with his can
didacy and claims the right of an American
citizen to entertain his personal beliefs with
out interference.
."Smoot lives at Provost, a small town
near Salt Lake City. His wife Is a hand
nj, okoI 1l~
He has six children. ranging in age from
four to fifteen years. The apostle. in the
eyes of his people. is a man who is deter
mined to make money. He is banker.
mining operator, sheepman, merchant, real
estate broker, politician and churchman.
I was republican and an American citizen
before 1 became an apostle he said but
few days ago.
years old. and was ordained a deacon in
1877. He was made a priest the following
year and an elder in 1880. Four years later
he was ordained a seventy and in 1895
was made a high priest, and was appointed
presiding authority of the Utah Stake Of
Zion. He continued in that capacity until
he was made an apostle. in April. 1900, by
President Lorenzo Snow.
"Smoot was born in Salt Lake City in
1862 and his father, who was also an apos-
tie, pronounced patriarchal blessing upon
him, In which the following prophetic words
were used Thou shalt be associated in
the labOrs with the wise counSelors OF
Israel. and If thou art faithful thou shalt
not be whit behind the chiefest of the
apostles
"Smoot believes his choice as an apostle
and his forthcoming election to the Senate
of the United States Is fulfillment of the
prophecy Of his father. and 1t would be
nothing short of sacreligious for him to de-
cline the election when he has secured 1t.
and 10 determined to make every effort
within his power to occupy the seat In the
Senate that he honestly feels he will be en-
titled to. The people Of Utah and the west
are watching the outcome just as eagerly
as those OF the east, 1 can assure you"