Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-03-06
AS TO SENATOR REED sMoor,

The seating Of Senator Reed smoot
without hindrance or obstacle seems to
suit even many Of his opponents. 1t Is
viewed with very general satisfaction.
rs expressions of non-"Mormon' sent-
ment on the subject We clip the an
nexed paragraph from an editorial In
The Salt Lake Tribune
Senator smoot was sworn In with
the other new senators, ana there was
no objection in his case. That Is eX-
actly as the Tribune supposed would
be the procedure Whatever Is done IN
protest Of his right 70 the seat must be
by special Investigation, which win no
doubt be had but In the meantime he
will occupy the seat. His case viii be
pretty certain to stand or fall on the
poIygamy charge now that II has been
sworn to and filed. We may add, that
SO far as we know and believe, there is
no ground whatever for charging 2u-
lygamy personally upon Senator Smoot
The following is from an editorial In
the salt Lake Herald, and voices the
Views Of a majority Of people who did
not at first favor the candidacy Of
Reed smoot but who now see no sense
in the tactics Of his enemies nor In fur
Their contention over the matter;
"The Herald opposed Mr. Shoots
candidacy during the campaign ON le-
ultimate grounds and In line win tue
policy euunciated by the Democracy OF
ihe State. but IL can see no advantage
in seeking outside interference IN
pnrely local situation; Il does not be-
ieva there Is any constitutional OF
legal obstacle 10 Mr.. Shoots insialla-
lion MS senator, and 1t believes further
controversy over the case would pe
fruitIess as wen as injurious 10 tle
commonwealth"
Leillch's escapade seems to have not
only failed Of rs purpose, but to have
provoked much comment unfayoranle
TO the rash and unyeraoious pulpiteer'
The annexed rather humorous review
Of the charge he made under oath, Is
from the editorial columns Of the ST.
Paul Globe
"senator-elect Reed Smoot Of Utah
yehemently denies that he has more
than one wife, and OF course he Is IN "a
uosition To know. The matter resolves
Itself into a question OF Neraclty, III
smoot has but one wife he is telling
The truth. II he has more than one he
Is not telling the truth. Now, the ques-
lion rs, would a man naturally tel the
truth about the number OF MS wives
n ne has more than one. ana would the
possession of more than one vie pre-
dlspose "a man 10 sidestep the tfuth IN
discussing the subject
MANY men having but one wife each
are great liars and the truth is not ~
some of them, but the same is true on
single men, hence the possession of a
VIE can not he said 10 be prima focie
evidence thar a man will lie. even In "a
pinch. on the other hand, the possess
sion OF q. wife cannot be offered as
prima facie evidence that a man VIII
always tell the truth.
"The case OF s'mOot Is complicated.
His enemies vehemently maintain that
ne has az least two wives when Iaet
preiudices his standing al home only
because OF the smailness OF the NUM-
Der. In the rest Of these United states.
except. possibly In some sections on
Connectlcut. duogamy Is frowned upon,
ana polygamy is a cause OF horror
sBut II Mr.. smoot is man Of such
standing 81 the community that ihe
party OF great moral ideas, to-wit' me
grand old party. is proud TO elect
him 10 the highest Office In the gift OF
NE state. isn't II fair to presume he
ought 10 know how many wives he has,
nnd that he wouldn't tell lie about
such n little matter as an extra spouse
or two?
~The Globe believes II Is fair pre-
sumption. and until the contrary Is
shown by a preponderance OF evidence
h viii believe that MIR smoot Is me
husband OF one wife; not doubling that
he could have more II the wanted
HEM