The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-10-19
DISCLAIMIHe THE DEAL.

A BOUT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT
Il thing in current politics as affect
ing Utah is an announcement made OF
fcially yesterday by the Republican
national committee. as follows:
The power and influence Of the Nor
mon church on political conditions in
Utah, Wyoming and Nevada Is recognized.
The drift of sentiment in Utah is all in
favor Of the president and he probably
will carry that state. But 1t $ just as
well to say that the national committee
has not made one pledge or promise Of
any kind to the Mormon church, and Will
not, under the circumste aces, enter into
any political agreement with that organl-
cation No bid of any kind has been
made for the Mormon vote.
Fully a month ago, when General ].
S. ClarksOn had completed a visit Of
ten days in Salt Lake. local Republic
ans, particularly the friends of Senator
Smoot, passed the word around with al
air of mystery that ClarksOn had come
as the personal representative of the
president. and that assurance had been
given that Senator Smoot would retain
his seat in the senate if Utah, Idaho
and Wyoming were put in the Repub-
lican column.
Just how Clarkson or the president,
or any committee could give such as
surance. or what sense there was in
telling it if such a deal had been made,
was one OF the things no fellow could
find out. The story was so thoroughly
circulated that it reached the New York
papers and gained wide credence in the
east.
Apparently the Republicans here
were willing to have it believed, for no
contradiction was made. The visit Of
Senator Fairbanks. however. and his
appearance as the guest Of Senator
Shoots committee. has evidently made
q further deep impression on the east.
erl vote since the national committee
deems it worth while to disclaim any
connection with the Mormon church in
political affairs. Possibly Fairbanks
himself has had hand in the proc
Iamation as the candidate most direct
Is interested and best informed about
the situation.
And while the subject is up, IL is
worth while to explode the notion that
the president could or would by any
possibility take a hand in the finding
I'm Senator Shoots case. The Wash
ir.gton Post. the most influential news
psper at the capital discusses this
question with authority and in a lucid
style that makes its remarks good
reading. 1t says:
Granting FOR the moment that these are
davs of executive encrCachment on the
legislative department. the senate would
IL. Hon lFHee
White House about disputed election
case There are stanch Republican scna-
tors who are loyal to tbs president and
v.t would fight him 10 the last ditch on
such a proposition as either the retention
or expulsion of the tall and agile Nor
mon apostle The feeling is 50 keen on
that subject that these senators. if APP
preached by the executive regarding II,
would III jealousy for their prerogatiyes.
fake the opposite side from the one he
might advocate just 10 demonstrate their
resentment il is not to be doubted that
President Roosevelt, after his long and
intimate association with men in public
lie is fully aware Of that feeling
irbe senate alone has the power 10 Judge
OF the qualifications of it's members. IL
could expel Mr. SmO0t, provided there
x,-ara a swO-thirds majority therefor be-
cause he combs mis- hair up in front.
The vote in Utah this year viii have
no more effect on the status of Senator
Shoots case than the duck crop on
Bear river. That case is going to be
heard and settled on its merits; the
only possible potent factor in the hear
ING that could be offered by the vote
of Utah would be proof that improper
influences had been used in the con-
vention or at the polls in behalf of the
ticket named by the junior senator.
whether Utah goes for Parker or
Roosevelt it's vote is not going to be
considered in the Smoot hearing. unless
perchance, it should appear that Mr.
Spry had been able TO carry out his
frst-thought programme OF electing
cutler by Democratic votes; and in thai
event, the election returns would UNI