The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-15
On; Dangerous Ground.

S4,s 5Et{&isB :-----------:--.--- 4. ialaAff3H
On Dangerous Ground. II
Willie 1t has not been shown IL the
investigation OF Senator smoot that he
has ever lived with plural wives. there
Is no doubt that the church to which 1e ne
belongs sanctions polygamy. and some
eof It's leading officers confess that the9
practice Il Moreover. It has been
shown that Mr. smoot WIS put forward
~ HE Mormon Church as candidate Tor
the Senate, and that he could not nave '9''
been elected had he not been backed ~
the church, The evidence also points
clearly to the fact that Mr.. Smoot IS
completely dominated and controlled IN
shis public conduct by the church 10
which he belongs. 1t is, therefore very
pertinent to ask 1t such a man Is q
proper personssto serve In the Congress '':'!
OF the United States. IT Is also peru
nent to ask how far any church organl-
zatiop should attempt to control the oil
cial conduct Of one OF It's members who
chances to be an officer Of government.
1t is the unwritten law OF the land that
tho State shall not interfere with the
church: on the, other hand the church
should not interfere with the State.
The church must have It's rules for the
government OF members. and members
must be obedlent to the rules, or with
draw from the church. But Wien the
church nlalscs q rulo which IS in con-
fllct With til. laws OF t1erland, it is
treudlng upon dangerous ground snnd
when it undertakes TO control the ac--
lions of Que Of its members who is
elected to Congress, it must not complain
lie Congress declines to admit such a
Representatives. IS
we'll as TO the Alormons. It is q very
dangerous thing for the church to med
die in affairs OF State.
The fight in the New York Legislature
ever the Dlll renewing ule franchises Of
e company which puru ,Hcs tahilg over
/. great deal of the water power of Nj
aaara Falls proceeds With warmth It not
with dispatch. The lobbyists are exceed
ingy energetic. hut tho, are being fought
represent the puolic ara who would
Erlcve to see The Fails further tres
PASSED upon by laanuflctnr!cs. One OF
the chief troubles the friends of the
Falls have to roaeaod with in tn:s st:uG :
gie is that can'.1a has already chartered
of the river. ano the lay o. the rve.'
bed IL; such that those companies Will
draw O great deal o. water from The
American shore. II is said, however,
that II the New York Legislature giants
the amended charter now asked for, it
would not be troubled with like uuos-
tons iii the future. for then, practically
speaking. tho company would have every
thing The State has to give away.
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The New York World thinks II by no
| means certain that Reed s;rnoot Will
| lose his sent al the Democratic mem
bers of the committee are against him,
but not so the Republicans. They are
divided In opinion. And SO the case Is
said to be "one OF great uncertainty"
TO Dust smoot would near offensc to the
mormon vote OF eight States in the
far West, seven Of which arc In the Re
publican column" On tho other hand.
to retain him would offend other thou
sands. However. We dare say smoot Is
greatly alarmed.
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This paper has time and again said
tina, the Sherman antitrust law Is q
menace TO the business interests OF The
country. and we zee no reason In the LATE
decision Of the United States Supreme
Court to change our oplrion
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Patti has now made her real farewell
TO America. After the lambast!ng she
has given the people OF this country, 1t
l Is mot likely, that Eho will rati,ry, t<. ,,e