The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-03-07
COMMENT ON CURRENT EVENTS.
LOCAL, STATE AND NATION.


that Reed Smoot shall not take his
seat in the United States senate as the
duly elected member from the sover-
eign state of Utah. But three years
ago the anti-Mormon people Of Utah
succeeded in preventing Brigham H.
Roberts from being seated as a con-
gresham from that state. The fact
was proven that Mr.. Roberts was
polygamist. This Mr.. Roberts did not
deny. But in the case of Reed SmOot
1t is known that he is not a polygamist.
While some men may be living in po-
lygamy TN Utah today, it is we'll known
that the Mormon church has not SOL
emnized a plural marriage since Pres
ident Woodruff issued the manifesto OF
1890. On account of the secret meth
DDS Of the church but few gentiles have
confidence in it's assurance that it has
abolished polygamy. Nevertheless it
is not polygamy that is the issue in
Reed Smoot's case. Some preacher has
trumped up charge of polygamy in
order that there will be reasonable
excuse for contest But few people
believe that the charge will hold.
The issue in this case as is set forth
by the Salt Lake Ministerial Associa-
ton, will be Mormonism pure and SIM
pie.
The Evangelical churches are deter
mined that no dignitary of the Mormon
church shall occupy a seat in the
American Congress.
The question will not be fought in
the open. They could not succeed by
that means because Mr.. Smoot will be
hv ho
United States. They will, however, at
tempt, to prove that the Mormon
church is opposed to the government Of
the United States; that it is an OATH
bound church, and that it's member
ship have sworn to avenge the assas-
sination of Joseph Smith, placing the
responsibility upon the government.
The falsity Of this is evident from the
fact that during the Mexican, Civil and
Spanish American wars, the Mormon
church showed it's loyalty to the nation
by furnishing its quota of soldiers to
defend the nation on the field of battle
During the Mexican war, when the as
Sassination Of Joseph Smith was still
fresh in the minds of every Mormon on
the trail to Utah, while the members
were making their way overland to
their new home, Brigham Young raised
battalion of soldiers, and sent them
back to Leavenworth to be mustered
into the United States army. This regi-
ment was known as the Mormon Bat
TALON and distinguished itself by many
deeds of, ,Yalor during the Mexican war.
If the MORMON church was ever oppos-
ed to the United States it would have
acted differently on this occasion. It
is not the purpose Of this article to
defend Mormonism. There may be
many things in the religion that we can
not defend, but upon the surface Of
things it certainly does appear that the
excuse for opposition to the seating Of
Senator elect Smoot by the anti Nor
mons of Utah is because of deep
seated prejudice against the church.
This should not enter into the ques-
ton of a citizens right to hold a seat
in the American Congress because OF
his peculiar religious views, or his con-
nection with any church.
Has Cole Younger violated the prom
Use made to the state pardon board that
he would never place himself on exhi-
bitiom? This seems to bother a good
many people of the state. Has he by
permitting his name to be used in con-
nection with wild west show, even
if he does not go upon exhibition him.
self, violated the spirit of the promise
under which he was granted a full par.
don? There are several ways to lool
at the matter. First, the effect of his
pardon, and the influence upon youth.
full minds, of an exhibition bearing hi:
name, which will be filled Throughout
with a thrilling species Of bravado. 1
may be true that the show will be of {
highly moral nature, such as the Buf
falo Bill show but no stage robbing
or other exciting acts can be played
under a tent managed by Cole Youn
ger and Frank James, without in so1n'
way exciting the mind of some youth
full reader Of yellow covered novel
and as much as we may regret it, ther,
are too many boys who delight in de-
vouring that kind Of literature. Their,
can be no comparison in this case be
tween the Younger and James Wilt
West Show and the Buffalo Bill show
Col. Cody's name is synonymous will
prowess and valor but the names o
Younger and James, and desperadoisn
are inseparable. One can not see
performance with Buffalo Bill as tn
star without thinking of his great fam
as a scout and Indian fighter. On tn
other hand who could witness an exhi
bltion with Frank. James as the sta
actor, and Cole Younger as manage
without thinking of their deeds Of mur
der robbery and marauding for whic
they became notorious? Their sol
capital in the show is the name Sc
cured in this manner Is this to be tn
reward for such crimes? If it is ma
God have mercy on our youth.
Second, Cole younger must have
means Of support. He is almost to
old to do hard manual labor. He ha
no trade. twenty-five years in con
finement has made him unacquainte
with the business ways of the worlC
The show business will not really b
managed by him. Some one NOR
adapted to the business will attend t
this. The name of Younger as manage
will but be drawing card. 1t is to b