The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-02-15
SMOOT.

At last there seems TO be a slight chance
that tho Smoot case Is nearing an end
though he would be rash prophet who
would predict that vote on the matter
Will be reached even In tho present scs-
sion. The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections has been keeping this case
In the air with the skill or JugglcT for
nearly three years. Senator Smoot was
sworn In on March 4, 1903. and ever since
then the committee has bccn considering
his right TO membership. The net result
80 far Is merely a considerable addition
TO the publlcs stock or knowledge about
Normonism 1t has appeared for somo
time that the committee is successfully
trying 20 sidestep an exceedingly delicate
and dangerous situation.
Yesterday the Introduction OF testimony
against the Mormon Senator was closed
by counsel for the protestants, and In
few days counsel for the defense VIII
present their case. The evidence adduced
at this hearing Is or the same general
character as that brought to light In pre-
yious sessions. Personally, Smoot has
come out with flying colors. but enough
has been shown against the political and
religious system he represents, and which
sent him TO the senate, TO condemn II
without qualification. The Mormon
church, as 1t is now conducted has no
right 10 exist. for II is immoral. Illegal
and un-American. Its members arc
bound by secret oaths. which require OF
them a higher allegiance 10 the church
than they pay to the Constitution and
flag Of their country. Numerous compc-
tent witnesses have testified before tho
committee that polyEnmy is still pr1Cticed
and this statement has not been dis
proved. The whole fabric OF which the
institution Is composed seems to be thor
oughly rotten, and until 1t has been com
plctely cleansed II ought not TO be toler-
atcd.
Shoots qualifications for the position
ne now holds are ample. and he Is perhaps
az good n Senator as any member of the
Mormon church could be. But in this
case II is not a question OF the ind-
al hIIf Of hT Of ha ron 1fG
Several years ago the Mormons tried TO
break into Congress for the first time,
and they chose as the man to make the
attempt, polygamist. Hc was summarly
thrown out. so they renewed the attack
with n man against whom no charges OF
this kind could be made They elected
him to the Senate and have succeeded
In keeping him there for three years, or
half OF his term The Senate Is the sole
judge of the qualifications Of its members
and II II wanted to, could cXpcl the Utah
man without formallty. But for political
reasons the case has been permitted TO
drag along through three sessions when
1t could have been settled in one.
The Senate ought to take tho high
ground that the presence I'm It's member
ship of n representative OF an organizl-
church is contrary to public policy. and
eXpcl him forthwith. This would cstab-
llsh a precedent likely TO be remembered
by Mormon communities hereafter when
they think OF invading Congress, FOR II
would be n plain. straightforward nCtl-
dcaton to them that until their church
is reformed none OF its members, how
ever clean and able personally can hope
to be admitted TO the National LeSisla-
turc. The Constitution guarantees rC'ig-
louS liberty, but IL contains no provision
Sanctloning an organization which seeks
in religious guise to undermine the most
and political morality.-Colorado Springs
Gazette.