The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-10
, uuVsU dH y =
Petitions Are Pouring Into
Washington to Gust Sm0Ot.
Senate Committee on Elections
Is Called Together.
/ BIG FIGHT AHEAD.
Interest Is Greater Than In
the Roberts Case.
President Has Not Been Drawn
Into the Matter.

Washington, Dec. 10.-Chairman Bur-
ileges and elections has called a meet
ing of the committee for Saturday to
consider whether any action shall be
taken on the protests and petitions for
the expulsion of Senator Reed Smoot
of Utah. There is an immense mass of
petitions coming from 40 different
STATES.
Congressional callers at the White
House are manifesting increasing in
terest in the case involving the seat
of Senator Smoot of Utah, and the in
dications are now that the contest
which it is asserted is certain to re-
suit from the present agitation will
rival in importance and in earnestness
the case of Brigham H. Roberts before
the house of representatives few
years ago. While the president is IA
miliar with the developments thus far
in the Smoot case. no effort is being
made by either side to draw him into
the controversy, the realization being
general that it involves a question
which the senate must determine for
itself.
That a thorough investigation of the
subject will be made by the senate
committee on privileges and elections
now appears to be beyond doubt By
those who are pressing the inyestiea-
uon II IS said it will be more cornpre-
hensive and searching than any similar
inquiry ever has been. An effort will
be made to ascertain accurately the at
tltude of the Mormon church toward
the government of the United States
and to learn whether or not a member
OF that organization is bound by any
pledge or oath the taking of which is
lncompatlble with his oath as a senator
OF the United States. 1t is believed
by some at least of those who are op-
posing Senator SmOot that any effort
made to prove he is a polygamist would
result IN failure and while that point
can not be said to have been ahan-
doned absolutely. it is quite certain
the opposition will concentrate its en-
deaVors to prove that the position he
holds IN the Morlnon church is incom-
patlole with the oath of allegiance he
mas taken to the United States That
proof must be ample is the opinion
OF senators. before he can be unseated
AS 10 the ability of the opposition to
senator Smoot to establish such a pro
position there is a wide divergence of
opinion among the senators, but there
is a pretty general agreement that if it
should be established its result would
be the unseating of the Utah senator.
IN THE SENATE.
Washington, Dec. 10.-When the sem
ate met today a number of bills were
introduced and reports presented Mr.
F1oar gave notice that as soon as prac-
ticable after the disposition of the Gu
ban bill he would call up his resolution
introduced yesterday requesting infor-
nation from the president concerning
the condition under which the independ-
ence of Panama was recognized. The
Cuban bill was then laid before the
senate but as no one appeared ready
to speak on it Mr.. Hale moved an ad-
Journment and the motion prevailed.
Washington, Dec. 10.-When the house
convened today Mr.. Van Voorhis co.
for the committee on appropriations
reported the pension appropriation bill
and gave notice that he would call ii
up tomorrow for consideration. In re-
ply to Mr.. Payne he said it was the
purpose of the committee to have full
debate on the bill
PENSION BUDGET SMALLER.
Washington, Dec. 10.-The house COM
mittee on appropriations today author
lied a favorable report on the pension
appropriation bill. 1t carries a total oI
$138, ,150 100, which is g. 500 less than the
estimates submitted. The bill carries
81, 697, 800 less than was appropriated fol
pensions last year.