The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-01-10
POsTLE REED sMOOT stands pat

A POSILE REED SMOOI STANDS PAT
"A Bidding defiance to President
Roosevelt and the latter's inter
view warning against his candidacy
he has announced that he is still in the
race His friends have stated that
they will stand by him. and last night
there was every indication that he
would be the choice of the Republican
caucus.
Mr.. Shoots statement was made last
evening, while the two houses of the
legislature were caucusing on organ
izagion. 1t was brief. and to the point.
Il cannot believe that President
Roosevelt intends to mix in local poi-
tics" he said Il am still candidate
for the United States senate"
Asked if he thought the interview
given out by Senator Kearns was au-
theutic, he declined to answer the
question.
There are only two main points to
be covered" he said. and 1 think
have covered the ground 1 do not
wish to EXPRESS my personal opinions
at present about anybody"
DO you think you will be electedZ'
he was asked. "A week or more ago
you were free 10 state that you were
confident of election"
Il have not yet had chance to get
around 10 see all my friends today"
he said, and so 1 cannot tell how they
an stand. Therefore, ] do not feel that
I can answer that question. 1 think
] bad better coslfine myself 10 my orig
inal statement. There really isn't much
more to say"
Had Conference With Loose.
These statements were made after
Senator G. +. Loose of Provo. the
apostles right hand man in political
he
been in conference for several hours.
Did Kearns ever bring you mes
sage from Roosevelt, as he stated in
his interview" was asked. telling you
that he was opposed to your candi-
dacy?"
I do not think I care to answer that
question"
Did the president make TO
Mr.. Loose the statements attributed
to him by Senator Kearns, to the eff
feet that he was opposed to your can
didacy?"
4 must refer you to Mr.. Loose for
an answer to that question"
That was all Mr.. Smoot would say
about his position. His friends made
a careful canvass of the situation yes
terday and, by evening. announced
that the Roosevelt interview, instead
OF hurting Smoot. had helped him.
Say Smoot Gained Friends.
1t was stated that both Mormons and
Gentiles who had formerly been op-
posed TO him had been won to his side
out of resentment for the presidents
interference in local affairs His orig
mai supporters. as far as could be
learned. all stood firm.
1t IS now safe to predict that Reed
Smoot will receive a large majority in
the senatorial caucus. unless there is
sudden and wholly unexpected change
in the situation.
Apostle SmOot did not make anv
statement yesterday until after he had
learned the views of the first presi-
dency. The announcement that he is
still in the race is therefore taken to
nave the sanction of that body. An
effor5 TO secure statement from Pres
loent Joseph F. smith yesterday was
unavailing-
Having learned the attitude of the
first presidency. he waited until Mr..
Loose arrived from Washington on a
belated train toward the close of the
efternoon. The two spent several
hours in conference in room in the
knutsford
Stin Mr.. smoot held off on making
a statement
Visit to Legislators.
He went with State Senator-elect
Loose 10 the city and county build
ing, where the members of the legis-
lature were gathering for the caueuses, |
and where a crowd of interested spec-
tators helped to throng the corridors
There his friends fiOcked around him.
Nearly every one urged him TO stand /
pat, pledging fealty to him as long a
ne was in the race II was after an
hour or more among the members of |
ootn houses that he made his brief |
statement to the effect that he would 1
defy the administration and remain in /
the race
The members of the legislature are |
All greatly stirred up over the presi- /
dents interference. There is universal /
condemnation of the chief executive.
while the majority OF the strong Smoot I
men are furious. The general attitude I
IS 10 blame Senator Kearns and Per-
ry 5. Heath for it all. taking the stand 4
frat the president has been hood /
winked into misunderstanding of the |
situation.