Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-06-01
TRIAL BY PETITION. +"

Tho scheme TO influence Tho United
states Senate "a act in a manner con-
trary to its established rules. and oven
in opposition 10 the spirit and letter
~ the United States Constitution. viii
not probably produce the desired effect.
u was arranged that the numerously
signed petitions from the different
states Of the Union should be piled IN
on the Senate al time when furore
could be raised against Senator Smoot.
But contrary 10 expectation, no flaming
speeches accompanied the pres,nta-
tion Of those documents. and they
were quietly turned over 10 the COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
The report o. that committee shows a
division Of views as to the Senator's
right To bis seat and indicates that
there will be no walk-oyer for his re-.
llgious or political opponents Nor IS
I by any means certain that the cues.
zion will be decided at this session Of
Congress.
Those petitions simply represent
widespread manifestation Of hysteria
among some Of the relglously incliu.
I'd ladies Of the country That de-.
scribes the condition Of q large mum.
her OF the signcrs, but there are others
who neither knew nor cared about the
nature of the statements 70 which they
appended their names They merely
marched into the yestry ~ the church
or chapel which they attended and al
the behest Of their respective pastors
added their signatures 20 those Of
other folks whom they followed like
y nock Of feminine sheep. The ease
with which signatures may be obtain
cd 10 any kind Of a petition was never
more strkinely illustrated than ~ tho
present instance.
The text ~ tho petition presented
shows either the most profound ignor-
anoe Of the facts in relation 10 the
election and qualifications of the senior
Senator from Utah. on the deepest du-
pliclty and rank falsehood az the pro-
motors of mo movement who have
succeeded in doceiving many thou-
sands Of well-meanlne ladies' and plac-
ing them I'm q most undesirable and
foolish position before the people ~
This couuiry. Tho matter Is M the
moro tc be- deplored because those un.
truths cmauated from profescdly
Christian minister ana the responsl.
bility rests chiefly with them and with
lhc original inventors of the basclcss
charges against tho Senator
A further exhibition OF Inconsistency
and impudence On the framing ~ tho
petition o. seen. On the attempt n the
different secjsrian churches 20 Invade
the domain Of the state They pre-
sumo 90 dictate Co the United states
Senate thc action that must be- taken
by that body TO satisfy them ana sp-
pease their anger and prevent their
opposition The threats that have been
made as TO- Influences that would De-
brought Co bear against SENATOR who
would choose rather 10 follow the Jaw
snd the customs regulating legislative
proceedirfs than to be- svaycd by
mob of preachers ard their followers.
are on the highest degree reprehend-
bic. u the Mormon" Church were
% attempt anything bon tho nature
81 the invasion into national affairs
undertaken by those seciarisn church.
g. thc whole country would be arous.
Cd with cries ~ Church Influence"
Union q church ana state" ana
similar vociieratlons and a demand
would b. made for ihe disfranchisc-
lmeni q The DARING Church members
Nfho thus underworld n dominate the
nation.
one great good that has grown out
the delay In the settlement Of this