The Washington herald., 1906-12-12
utah AT The BAR
Senator Burrows in Unspar-
inc gArraignment of SmOOt.
INTENSE INTEREST IN CASE
The Record of Testimony Against
the Mormon Church and It's Leaders
ExbaustiveIy Reviewed-Utah SEN
ator Charged with Approving His
PoIygamOus Associates In Church.


ised speech yesterday against the Nor
mon Church and the fitness of Senator
Reed SmOot to retain his seat. Promptly
at the close Of the morning business Vice
President Fairbanks turned and recog-
nized Mr. Burrows. who at once called
up the resolution from the Committee on
Elections. declaring SmOot disqualified.
The Michigan Senator does not make
frequent speeches, and seldom dips into
running debate. He prefers large occa-
sions and great efforts The galleries
were filled in anticipation of his speech,
and the Senate, almost 10 a man. sat for
three hours and half and listened intent
ly to his mastery recital OF the history Of
the Mormon Church and the overt acts
OF Senator SmoOt in his afhliation with
the polygamists at the head of the
church
The scene Interesting.
The scene was picture in a way. Sen
ator Burrows had before him a disagree
able task, for Smoot is a popular man
in the Senate, and even the Michigan
Senator likes him. Nevertheless. harsh
and unsparing as his words sounded. they
were spoken with stoical bluntness. He
faced Smoot squarely, and never once
turned from him throughout the speech.
Democratic Senators came over from the
far side of the chamber. and several Re
publicans from the Cherokee Strip
sought nearby seats. Senator Smoot
looked his accuser fairly in the eye from
beginning 10 end
Early in the speech, as soon as it was
clear that Burrows had prepared TO show
him no mercy. the Utah Senator flushed,
and at times his face was black and red
by turns Otherwise he made no motion
or gesture 10 indicate his feeling. His
colleague. Mr.. Sutherland moved down IN
front Of Burrows to hear better. and his
own seat was ocuDied all the afternoon
/ by Representative Howell, the Utah mem
Der OF the House, who now and then took
notes OF the points Of the speech. a few
feet from Smoot the venerable Chaplain
of the Senate, Dr. Edward Everett Hale.
/ in his sweeping black robes, sat and lis
tened TO the entire speech. The Chaplain
and Mr.. Smoot are warm friends, al
/ though in religious and denominational
respects they are at opposite points Of the
/ circle. Directly in front Of Burrows sat
! Senator Hepburn, of Idaho. who was Wis
! IDLY disturbed more than once when the
/ Michigan Senator told OF the operations
Of the Mormon Church in Idaho. and de-
/ clared that any man who wanted office in
! Idaho had To- 90 to Utah and get the con
sent OF the leaders Of the Mormon Church
Effect of the Speech.
/ There was no indication as to what the
effect Of the speech will be, or as TO what
/ lsrerf, +la FaI,ate on tho reeol-,tFor % nm
seat SmOot may 90. Senator Dubois gave
notice that he would speak, and Il is ex-
/ pected that he viii make a bitter attack
on the Mormon Church. Senators Foraker
and SpOOner. who are known TO have de
cided views as to the constitutionality Of
the action proposed, may discuss the mat
I ter. Beyond this it is not known If any
other Senators are going TO discuss the
4 question. 1t is the common prediction
around the Senate that the committed
resolution cannot be adopted. and that
Smo0t will not be disturbed in the enjoy
ment Of his seat.
Senator Burrows speech. which Wa,
an exhaustive analysis of the yoiuminou'
testimony, covering hearings IN two Con
] gresses. was bitter arraignment Of ths
/ Mormon Church OF hierarchy" as b,
termed IL. for alleged polygamOus praC
tees. interference in politics and bust
ness. Smoot was not charged. either IL
Mr.. Burrows speech OF in the report. witt
1 ever having practiced polygamy. In fact
1t is conceded that he is free from th'
impUtatiOn. The case against him rest!
upon the charge that he is an apostle il
the Mormon Church, one Of the twelve il
authority. and that because Of that fact
he is properly chargeable with and re
| spOnsible for the alleged unlawful pTac
tices Of the church. Senator Burrows wa
particularly severe on Joseph Smith, heaC
Of the Mormon organization in Utah. VIII,
has lived openly with five wives and ha!
| forty-three children by them, eleven o
them born since the manifesto Of 1890.
NO duty devOIving upon the Senate.
said Mr.. Burrows, can be more impOr
tant than that imposed by the fifth sec
tiOn Of the first article of the Constitu
ton OF the United States, wherein it il
provided touching the CongTess) tha
each House shall be the judge Of tn
elections, returns. and qualifications o
its own members.
The proper exercise of this power
coupled with that other provision of IN,
Constitution, which declares that eacl
House may determine the rules Of il
proceedings, punish its members for dis
orderly behavior, and with the concur
renee Of twO-thirds, expel a member, i
the only method by which the legitimac,
and integrity of this body can be secures
and maintained.
The Charges Against SmoOt.
After reviewing the testimony. Nj
Burrows said: 1t is important 60 not
that when the senior Senator from Utal
became a member of this hierarchy 4
1900, three persons Of the first presidenc.
were all poygamlsts, ten of the twelv
of his apostolic associates were living &
pOlygamOus cOhabitatiOn. and that tn
Senator owes his elevation to the apostle
ship TO the formal action of this body a
polygamists. The very year and hour tn
Senator voluntarily identified himself wit
this governing body Of fifteen men, four
teen of the number were living In polyga
my and the members of this heirarch
were then able, Jointly. to muster :. harer
Of sixty women, whom they claimed
recognized. and cOhabited with as thei
wives.
To contend that the Senator, born an
reared in Utah. and identified with IN
! Mormon organization from childhood. IN
structed and nurtured In its doctrines wa
ignorant Of the character OF this helg
sFchy and the criminal practices If It
individual members. challenges belief an
| impeaches his intelligence The vita
| question, therefore, is: Can one become
| member of and identify himself with
band Of lawbreakers, knowing them {
be such, participate in their eounsels, an
sustain them in their conferences. an
| Yet escape all responsibility for their un
| lawful acts?''
The Senator cited from the anarchis
cases in Chicago in 1856, where Spies. tn
editor. was held guilty. although he onl
encouraged the anarchists, and himsel
did not throw bombs in the police riot a
Haymarket Square, and continued: