The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-08
no FIRE REED SHOOT.

me state journal is in receipt OF a
communication from the chairman of
the executive committee of the Ma
tional League of Women,s Organiza-
lions. The object of this eommunica-
ton is to enlist the aid Of the State
Journal in the effort to pry Senator
Smoot loose from his chair in the
senate chamber and cast him hence.
From the letter head of the N. L.
of w. o. it is gathered that this ex-
ecutive committee is made up of six
teen more or less eminent women, all
of whom have their names printed in
capital letters on the letter head. We
regret to say that we have not the
pleasure of the acquaintance of them,
but we doubt not they are highly esti-
mable ladies, and they have under
taken a great work in trying to set Mr..
Smoot of Utah adrift in the world
without any senatorial moorings.
The State Journal does not hatter
itself that its influence alone is sought
in this great work. Our cOmmunica-
ton was only a mimeograph copy,
and a poor one at that. However. we
are willing to let that pass and give
due publicity to the matter.
We gather from this communication
A4A1l k1EAAaAOL oltlOOL HAS CO1llGS5G4 that
ne is a Mormon; that he is therefore
an enemy of the republic and an all
around villain. The n. L. Of w. 0. has
gathered the signatures of upwards of
a million women to memorials asking
the senate to put Mr.. Smoot on the
t0boggan. as it were, and send him
back to Utah.
It seems that somebody has been
fqTIrirp~ al do
lieve in repeating gossip, but this
Smoot scandal has been whispered
about so much that possibly it will do
no harm to refer to it. It is rumored
that Senator Smoot has more wives
than he really ought to have. and that
the Smoot family is excessively large
in consequence.
The State Journal confesses that it is
unable to work itself into much of a
lather over the Smoot case. If he is
as bad as the good women of the
executive committee paint him. it
serves him right to be sent to the
United States senate. Six years of
punishment in being compelled to as
sOciate with that body may reform
him. Instead of helping him to escape
why not make him serve the limit of
his sentence at hard labor-at least as
hard as the United States senate ever
does.
But taking the serious view that a
dismissal would be a punishment, the
State Journal is willing to sign a me-
mortal such as the good ladies of the
n. L. of W. o. are circulating. pro-
viding it can amend it by inserting a
number of other names also. In the
list of those to be fired it would place
the name of Thomas c. Plat far above
that of Mr.. Smoot. And there are
others.
The executive committee hereinbe-
fore mentioned desires publicity given
to its appeal and the State Journal
therefore publishes it. It is as follows.
namely, towit:
The testimony before the senate
committee proved that polygamy is
still taught and practiced by the presi-
dent of the Mormon church and by
/ the majority of the apostles.
f'The Mormon hierarchy maintains
political control in Utah and adjoining
states contrary to the covenants given
when statehood was granted. The
/ Oaths taken by Reed Snoot in the en-
dowment house are disloyal to the
government
Reed Smoot has sustained them in
all their practices.
'"The National League of Women's
! Organizations therefore earnestly asks
! that all who are interested in the pro
lection of the home and nation from
! fngs and practices of Norm onisn write
/ letters to the senators from their states
addressing them at the United States
} Senate. Washington. D. c., asking
/ them in view of the evidence presented
to vote for the exclusion of Reed
/ SmoOt."