New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-13
SMOOT CASE DISCUSSED.
Senators Dubois and HO0r Differ As
to PrOmiety of Petitions.

Washington Nov. 12.-There was q lively dis
cussOn in the Senate to-day the question OF
the eligibility of Reed Smoot. OF Utah. TO seat
The debate grew out OF the statement made yes
terday by Mr.. Hoar that petitions bearing on Mr.
Shoots case are much out Of place as sim
liar petitions to the Supreme Court OF the United
States would be in the interest OF any case oe-
fore that tribunal
Mr.. Dubois Of Idaho took issue with Mr.. Hoars
remarks and presented his views in regard to
the petitions for Mr.. Shoots expulsion which
he had presented. Il contend Mr. Dubois said.
that these various organizations Of Christian
and women have right TO petition the
Senate. and that it Is their duty TO do So OF
course. all appreciate that this is a judicial
question which must be determined by the facts.
but it is not idle question. and it is properly
before the Senate. 1t is the same question that
was involved in the case OF the polygamouS Rob
erts for whose unseating by the House OF Rep
resentatives many petitions were fled All th@
petitioners ask is that study the case care
fully before passing It. They know what they
are doing. They represent the moral thought OF
the country. and should not be discouraged. They
scarcely expect influence our votes. but II is
to be hoped that the petitions VIII at least have
the effect of causing us TO pause and give care
full attention to their representations. II the ale
cations now on file with the Committee on Priv
iIeges and Elections can be proved. I do not be-
Iieve there is a Senator here who would vote 10
have MI Smoot continue I'm his seat. but IL they
are not proved, I think We would all unite IN ask
ing him TO remain.
Mr. Hoar replied that he did not believe any
member of the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
lions would find it necessary TO make public dis
plav of his attachment to the family tie as es-
tai lished in all Christian countries and so sig
uallv manifested in its beauty in our own coun-
try and he expressed his surprise that any Sena-
tor should consider it necessary to present his
views on this subject. However. he said that
was a question for all Senators to decide for
themselves
Tcnlviro to the argument Of Mr.. Dubois, Nr-
t4oar said that in his remarks yesterday he had
merely called the attention 'of some of his own
constituents to the fact that they are pointing
question in regard to which the Senators are the
Judges. He again compared the senate to the sl-
PpoaeaS I'm determining important case il would
be considered proper TO depge ~ %1 peSuoaS l
dicating the decision 20 oe reacheu- re aoded
addressed +he S7rafe on fLs- 50 Ofact NOT
bIf bScaUse Of its vast Importance. and because
of this Importance he thougnL II most Geslrao ie
tbat the Senate should approach the SUBJECT IN
the pr9 I co the ground that the question Of r
T hi tir,e He considered IL grave and serious
ms and while he said ne had appreciated the
fe If what Mr. Hoar had said as to the judicial
IsTacter Of the proceeding. he did not quite agree
With tF3T 70 has seat the senate should consd
cred purely as court OF iaW 4S {tE 81
he natter of taking testimony on in many other
respects court On me Goh5ra5S se SSte ;
SHIN 10 the people different from tEat or body OF
sequesteIed men IKE tit i1bI ana is stitI.5
- coDsiIer information bearing the feelings and
U-ishes Of the people regarding any subject He
Teferred briefly TO the moral aspects of the smoot
case and said that, grave as they are they are
- ,oora important than the intrusion OF great
nj bieraTchv like the Mormon Church into
tt roIitfcaI affairs Of the country. He suggested
~ ir,Dortance of not preiudg1ng the case.
large number Of bills were presented. and n
brisf executive session was held When the doors
1vara reonened the resolutions Of the House an
rouncng' the death OF Representative Foerderer OF
tTckT were laid before the Senate and out OF re-
snact 10 theiv memory, the Senate at 40 o'clock
adjourned until Monday