Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-01
SHOOT HARD TO DUST
It k Generally Believed He Will
 Retain His Seat.
Special to Evening Democrat.)

 ator Reed Shoot, the Mormon apos- tie of Utah, probably will retain his seat in the United States senate. Practically ever since he entered the senate, now three years ago, . viz orous contest has been waged against him The influence of relig- ious bodies of all kinds and degrees of importance; of mothers congress- es; and of patriotic people and or ganizations throughout the United States has been cast against him. Even in his own state of Utah, the so-called Gentiles have combined in an effort to induce the senate to de- prive hIm of his seat.
 Early in his career as a senator of the United States, his right, under the law and the constitution, to rep resent the people of Utah in '.the great legislative body in the world" was challenged and the question was referred to the committee on priyi- leges and elections That committee conducted an exhaustive investiga- ton of the status of Senator Shoot. Some of the testimony adduced was very sensational. The practices of the Mormon leaders ill Utah were exposed some of them, 1t being shown, having been living in polygamous relations for many years They not only did not deny the practice, but absolutely defended It. It was not shown that Senator Shoot, himself. was po- lygamist: indeed, testimony was ad- duced that he not only was not polygamist, in practice. but that his home life was nearly ideal in every respect. That both he and his wife, however, were the offspring of DO. lygamous marriage was not denied.
 After an long inqury, in which Senator Shoot was defended very ably, the committee took the question under advisement. It has had the mat ter under consideration for many months, and is now ready to pass upon the question. That it's decision Is against Senator Shoot there is no doubt. The committee will report to the senate, very likely, by vote of eight to five, in favor of the unseat- ing of the Utah Senator. It Is barely possible that the vote may be nine to four. the vote of Senator Knox. of Pennsylvania, being somewhat. in doubt.
 What the result of the report ad- verse to Shoot may be on the senate cannot. of course. be foretold defi. nitely. but the indications are that m action at this session will be taken on the committees recommendation Indeed. the best informed senators are inclined to doubt now whether a vote on the question will be reached during the present congress.
 Senator Fred Dubois. of Idaho. who has fought Shoot insistently since he took his seat in the senate. expressed the opinion to-day that if the report of the committee ever should he brought to vote Shoot would be unseated.
 There Is no doubt In my mind" said Senator Dubois, '.that there is a majority in the senate against Shoots retention of his seat. I real ize. however, that 1t is somewhat problematical whether the question can be brought to vote in the near future. Shoot now has been three years in the senate and the case may be dragged along indefinitely by the employment of tactics of parlia- mentary kind that are we'll under stood. The employment of these tao ties do not indicate necessarily a special liking for the Utah senator on the part of the senators. hut merely doubt in their minds of the right fulness of unseating him. As to his standing in the senate personally the situation Is really remarable Ordin- arily the probable or possible retire ment of a member of the body Is made the subject of expressions of regrets on both sides of the chamber. Nothing of the kind is heard as re- gards Senator Smoot. He has not ev- en single strong personal friend in the senate. notwithstanding the fact that he is lIkeable man in many re- spects. Whether he will he unseated however. remains to be determined" !"
 In tho opinion of other sehators. there is little likelihood of Senator Shoots dismissal from the senate The question of his right to seat may or may not come to veto. but in any event the indications now are .h.t ha x,-ftt earxa out hfs tarun