The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-11-19
DISCUSS MORMON SM00T.
cIioiail;ty of Utah Senator Aired IN
Upper House Of Congress.
facetieus Mr.. Tnayer.

The session OF congress Friday took
IN somewhat of an interesting turn.
Emm aciately upon assembling the seS-
ate plunged into discussion OF the
question OF the eligibility of Reed
omoot, Of Utah, to seat in thc sea
ate.
MIR. Dubois, CT Idaho, took issue
With Mr. Hoars remarks OF Thurs
day.
Il contend chat these various cr-
ganizati0ns of Christian men and "o'
mn" he said, nave right 10 petl-
rion the senate and that 1t is tnelr
duty to DO so. or course, we all ap-
preciate that this is a judicial ques-
ton, which must be determined by
the facts, but it is not an idle ques-
ton, and 1t is properly before the SEN
ate. It is the same question that was
involved in the case Of the polyga-
nous Roberts, for whose unseat!ng by
the house of representatives many Pc
titions were filed.
IF tho allegations now on file with
the committee on privileges and elec-
tionc can be proven, do not believe
there is a senator here who would
vote to have Mr.. Smoot continue IN
his seat, but if they are not priVen, l
think we would all unite in asking
! MIN to remain"
Mr.. Hoar said that in his remarks
he had merely called the attention OF
some Of his own constituents to the
fact that they are pointing out to the
senate the determination OF judicial
question in regard to which the sena-
tors are the judges.
Mr.. Hale took the position that the
question of Mr.. Smoots eligibility had
been improperly raised at this time.
He considered it very grave and Sc
rious matter. and while, he said, he
had appreciated the force Of what
Mr.. Hoar mad said as to the Judicial
character of the proceedings, he did
not quite agree with that senator that
in determining the right of a senator
to his seat the senate should be con
sidered purely as court of law. He
referred briefly to the moral aspects
of the Smoot case, and said that
grave as Iney are, they are not more
important than "the intrusion of re
ligious hierarchy like the Mormon
church into the political affairs Of the
country"
4; He suggested to the senate the i'm
! portance of not prejudging the case.
The senate adjourned until Monday
In the house, the bill to make effect
i've the Cuban treaty convention
which, without objection, was reai
by title and referred to the committee
on ways and means.
Mr.. Payne having moved to adjourn
Mr.. Williams, of Mississippi. inquired
if he was ready to announce the pro
gram Of the majority.
Mr.. Payne said a meeting of tht
ways and means committee would bs
called Friday, and he hoped to repor
the BILL to the mouse then.
Mr.. Thayer, of Massachusetts,, ris
ing to a question Of privilege, aske>
if a member would be considered dere
lict in his duty if he would 90 home
Ito get his winters wood, with the un
deerstanding that he would return
when the six or seven men, who, h,
said, constitute congress, should an
nounce hat something was to be do ae
! Mr.. Payne observed that he wa
about to request unanimous consen
that the gentleman from Massachr
setts be excused for the remainde
| Of the session. The house then ad
journed.
Ways and Means Committee.
Speaker Cannon announced at Fri
days session of the house that tn
ways and means committee would b
as follows: - * % 3
Repubiicans-Messrs. Payne, Q
New York, Dalzell, of Pennsylvania
Grosvenor Of Ohio, Tawney of Mime
sota, Mccall of Massachusetts, Bal
cock of Wisconsin, Metcalf of Califol
MIA, Hill of Connecticut, Boutell of I'll
nois, Watson of Indiana and Curti
of Kansas.
Democrats-Messrs. Williams O
Mississippi, Robertson Of Louisiana
Swanson of Virginia; Mcclellan g
New York, Cooper of Texas and Clar
Of Missouri