The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-03-26
UTAH SENATOR WILL
MAKE FINAL SPEECH
MORMON APOSTLE TO DEFEND
HIMSELF WITH A SPEECH.
Friends Say That It Is His Only
Chance. He Must Defend Himself.
Must Say That He Roes Not Con-
tenance PoIysaniy. Is Not In Sym
pathy With Violation Of Law. Re-
pubicans are Very Much Alarmed
Over Situation.

Washington, March Ex-senator Smoot
has practically determined to take a
desperate risk in his effort to retain his
seat In the Senate.
In response to the urgent advice of
his Republican associates, he will make
speech in open session in defense Of
his position.
Republican leaders have assured him
that this Is the only means by which
ne can hope to win his fight. They
have pointed out to him that the trem-
endous and widespread opposition
awakened by the investigation of his
case can never be overcome by evidence
presented by witnesses in his behalf
before the committee
So far as the country is concerned,
they say, a verdict in his case has al
ready been rendered--the Mormon hier-
archy. Of which Smoot is member, has
been adjudged a foe to the political
and social order.
Must Deny Friends and Church.
One of Smoot's Republican friends
frankly told him recently that lie must
promptly and emphatically deny that
he either sympathiZes with the loath-
some practices of his apostolic associ-
ateS or that he co-operates in any way
with the revolutionary Mormon hier-
archy to which he belongs.
This friend of his warned him also
that he must be prepared to convince
Senator's that the criminal and moral
offenses committed by Mormons in
Utah. and especially by his brother
apostles, have been done not only with
but his consent, but even without his
knowledge, if he could not so convince
f,.;n fro,, Ill. 49, l>s,~ ~
might as we'll prepare either to get out
of the Senate or to get out of the
church. To remain in both under the
cure umstances would be impossible.
Smoot will take the bull by the horns
He will meet his opponents face to
face. He will come out in the open and
defend himself in the eye-shot and ear
shot of the public. From his place in
the Senate he will attempt to explain
away the grave charges that have been
made against his character as man
and a citizen.
Denese Has More Than One Wife.
That speech did not help Roberts. It
hurt him. What effect Shoots speech
will have it is difficult to predict.
His case is different from Roberts.
Roberts was a self-c0nfessed pOlyEann-
fst. s911out denies t. ~ hesA
than one wife, The experiment he has
hit upon to save his seat has it's peril.
Heretofore Smoot has kept in the rear.
He has been content to smile, appear
complacent and keep silent. The policy
has won him many personal friends,
He is a likeable fellow. Now he in
tends to go to the front and take his
place on the firing line.
S,bpOenas have been issued for thir-
ty-three important witnesses Some are
in Utah, some in Idaho and Wyoming.
One is in England. one in Alaska, and
others in more distant parts.
Republicans Are Alarmed.
Reports from Western states are
alarming the Republicans Public SEN
timent there is so strong against the
nolygamsts that Republicans fear to
continue their alliance with the Nor
NOR Hierarchy. They hesitate, how
ever, to break away.
They are watching intently the trend
affairs are taking in Utah, Wyoming,
Nevada, Idaho, and Washington Anti
Norman parties are forming in all these
states. Former party algnments are
disappearing. The issue everywhere is
polygamy.
The Presidential electoral votes of six
states are at stake. Twelve seats in the
United States Senate are in the balance
To oppose the polygamists is to invite
the hostility Of the Mormon church. To
placate the Mormons is to enlist the
united opposition of Gentiles-Repub-
licans as we'll as Democrats.
Republican leaders are perplexed
They are paying a high price for the
compact made with the polygamists in
1900