The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-25
MQRMONS ARE PLAYING
DEEP POLITICAL GAME
May Publicly Reproach Senator
Smoot for Alleged Partial Aban-
donment of His Faith.
GOV. HUNT TO RESIGN
Indiana. Senators to Urge as His
Successor in Porto Rico w. H.
Elliott, of New Castle.

elections, expects to take up the Smoot
case Immediately upon the reassembling
of Congress next month From present in
dications, this matter will result in an
interesting fight in the committee and prob
ably on the floor of the Senate. There is no
question that the sentiment in the Senate
is favorable to the Utah Mormon. A new
development now appears, which might
possibly have effect on the outcome of
this case. A statement comes direct from
Utah that the Mormons may decide to
publicly reproach Smoot for an alleged
abandonment of some of the tenets OF the
faith. 1t is claimed that the matters to
which exception is taken by the church
is the declaration of Smoot that he has no
higher allegiance than that to which he
subscribed to as Senator. This statement
must be taken with a grain of salt The
Mormons are playing deep game of poll
tics, and Mr.. Smoot is aware of every
move that has been made or is in contem-
plation. A bitter fight will be waged
against Smoot. Great interest Is mani
tested in the case in Indiana, judging from
the large volume of petitions coming from
the State, principally from churches and
women's organizations, protesting against
Beverage is a member of the committee
having jurisdiction over the Smoot case.
Postmaster General Payne is rapidly fill-
ing the important positions in the Depart
ment where vacancies were created by dis
missal as a result of the recent investiga-
ton. Two Of the most important appoint
ments have been given to inspectors who
took part in the postal inquiry 1t is the
IF m CtQ
ward the men who were instrumental In
running down the graft" and grafters in
of free sTerv o viii be
abolished. 1t is understood that Represent
alive Overstreet, chairman of the post
office committee. has been requested not to
include in the annual bill the salary for
this position. The rural free delivery d.
vision will be conducted under the personal
supervision of Fourth Assistant Bristow
The policy of filling the vacancies with
men in the department will prevent the
realization of the hopes of many candi-
dates. including two or three from INDIANA.
xxx
William H. Elliott, of New Castle. Ind.
secretary of the Interior for Porto Rico.
will be strongly urged by Senators Fair
banks and Beveridge for promotion to the
governorship. The resignation of Gov. w.
H. Hunt takes effect Feb. 1. There
are several candidates for the appointment.
omended several weeks ago for the place
as collector of customs of the island. The
resignation of Alonzo Curzen, the incum-
bent, was received by Secretary Shaw this
morning. The name of his successor will
El Hlo familiarity familiarity with conditions in
Porto Rico Ii is believed that he stands an
excelltnt opportunity of securing the pro-
motion to the governorship. Mr.. Elliott
was favorably considered for the customs
dictatorship. but 1t was decided to select
an expert for the place.
Judge William L. Penfield, solicitor of the
State Department, will leave for Indiana
Saturday. He visits the State at this time
to look over the field preparatory to max
ing some announcement concerning the CUB
ernatorial nomination. Controller r. j.
Tracewell will not attend the love-feast on
the 30th instant. Pressure of public bust
ness at the department will prevent him
from visiting the State until the new year.
Mary E. Paul has been commissioned
postmistress at Winfield. Ind.
Charles w. Jones has been appointed reg
ular carrier and John Swaub. substitute in
the rural free delivery service at Twelve
Mile, Ind, also Jno. l.. Brudy and Frank
Newhouse, at Fort Wayne, Ind.
Rural free delivery will be established at
Comiskey. Jennings county, Indiana. Jan. Is.
The routes will be fifty miles long, with a
population OF 1,016. Number of houses on
routes, 254.
Secretary Root had a conference to-day
with Colonel Edwards. of the Insular Bur-
eau, at which the form of the bonds for the
purchase of the friars' lands in the Philip
M
bonds, as well as for the circular to be
issued, will be submitted to the attorney
general and the secretary of the treasury
to pass on their legality, etc. The amount
of the issue Is to be 100000. Bids for the
bonds will be received early in January
and in case the bonds are not ready at that
time it is probable certificates will be is
sued.
The secretary of the treasury authorizes
the statement that the Philippine land pur-
chase bonds may be substituted for govern
deposits on condition that the government
bonds thus released be used as security
for additional circulation whenever, in the
judgment of the secretary Of the treasury,
it is desirable.
cousin of President Roosevelt, Miss
Florence Locke. who died in New York city
Tuesday night. was buried here to-day.
Funeral services were held at ST. Paurs
Episcopal Church. The services We're at
tended by the President and Mrs. Roose-
welt. Mrs. w. s. Cowles, the President S
sister, and other relatives.
At the request Of the State Department
Secretary Moody to-day sent a cablegram
to Rear Admiral Sterling, commanding the
Asiatic squadron. to dispatch a warship to
Chemupo Korea, to protect American in
terests there.
Erwin III. Thorpe, of Vermont, who has
been in charge of the Eastern division of
postoffice inspectors with headquarters at
New York city. has been permanently APP
pointed superintendent of the city delivery
division of the Postoffice Department, sue
cceding Charles Hedges, who was re-
moved some months ago. Mr.. Thorpe was
detailed to act in this position at the time
of Hedges's dismissal. w. r. Spilman. OF
Manhattan, Kan. formerly chief of the
| appointment division of the fourth assist
ant postmaster generals office, and who
| during the postal investigation, has been
| detailed TO assist in the direction of the
| free delivery system. has been appointed
superintendent OF the rural free delivery
service In place of H. c. Clarke. who has
| been made superintendent of the Atlantic
division of rural free delivery service.
Minister Quesada has received a cable
gram informing him that the Cuban gov
| eminent has formally recognized the Re-
public of Panama.