The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-02-08
SHOULD REED SMOOT BE
ELECTED FROM SENATE =?

sition In hostility TO It," President Hayes
in his fourth annual message, said:
The Mormon sectarian organization which
making and executing the local legislation OF
the Territory.
The political power of the Mormon
steadily Into other Territories Wherever II
goes II establishes polysamy and sECTARIAN
POLITICAL POWER.
1t is also expressed In the character and
career OF Brigham Young, No revelations
have been given through subsequent pres
idcnts retracting any OF the claims made
by Smith and Young. The church has
time and again, In It's organic capacity,
opposed Itself TO the Federal Government.
Since Utah's Incorporation as a State it
has been made clear the light OF the
sun that one OF It's hopes in throwing its
influence in favor Of Statehood was that
II could avoid the power OF the Federal
Government, which was being exertcd TO
destroy polygamy In the Territory Of
Utah. 1t has also been proved that since
Utah was admitted as a State steady
steps have been taken BY the church TO
develop a recognition, that the so-called
revelation through Woodruff was merely
suspension of polygamy,
1t Is certain that, apart from the sub
tect OF religion, If a Senator OF the United
States were to set up a polygamous
household and ehould dehantly scandalize
himself by publishing the same. he would
House. Polygamy Is OF such a nature as
TO be recognized by the States OF the
Union as an immortality. Those. there
fore. who practice 1t contrary to the law
OF the State. and-as President Smith.
In View Of the revelation OF Woodruff,
admitted of himself before the Senate
should be trented In the same way. And
one who dooe not practice 1t, II allied
with those who do. supporting them In
every way, should meet a similar fate.
II there were non-rcligious organization
In the United States. for the promotion
OF polygamy, and a Senator OF the United
States. who himself did not commit polyg-
amy. were 10 affiliate himself with that
society and be one of It's directors, is IL
not reasonable to believe that so scandal
oUs an act would be regarded by the SEN
ate OF the United States as reason for
not ALLOWING him to sit a Scnator2
And II in his State II could be demon
stratcd that tho whole organization, some
OF whose members were practcng polyg-
amy contrary to law, and all or whom
were I'm theory polygamiSts, had such
power over their members that they
could compel them 10 vote for this man
because he was a member OF that organi-
zatlon. and that body exercised the kind
of control over votes that is exercised
by the Mormon hierarchy. would 1t not
be considered reason for unscating
him? We suppose that II would.
In Mr. Smoots testimony before the
committee he represented himself as be-
ing opposed to the present polygamous
relations OF the president and the apos-
ties; but we have closely observed his
proceedings, his non-appearance or silence
protested against the confessed violations
OF the law) his non-protest OF any kind
against Smith; and particularly did we
notice that on the sixth of last October
he addressed the seVenty-siXth Semi-an-
nual conference of the Mormon church,
and the Deseret News, the organ OF the
church, reprinted his remarks, which are
as follows:
believe that tho Iattcr-Day Saints. who
have the spirit OF God In them, never had
more confidence in q man or a set of men
ihnn hoy huN In hc dam Of he oh tirrh
today. l wish that every one could read the
heart and understand the thoughts or the pres
humble way, TO lead md direct the nfrnirs
OF this people. feel that II 1t were possible
them rs YOU have in the past, hut you would
have for them stil greater love
II Reed Smoot really feels this. when
he knows that President Smith is at this
very time living with lve wives, and re-
members that the church made a solemn
promise To the United States that II IL
were admitted to the privileges OF State
hood polygamy should disappear forever.
should not be practiccd or defended. he
implies that II he himself were a polyga-
mist he would be as entitled to the love
and trust OF the people as any that have
gone before him In the apostolate,
This culogy OF President Smith cannot
be considered az a mere outburst OF a
pious brother In religious meeting, II
reveals the inward thought of Mr. Smoot
Secure In the fact that Juries cannot
be found TO convict him, the president
OF the Mormon church maintains and
enjoys his harem, and Apostle Smoot de
clarcs him worthy OF all confidence and
even greater love than the people gave
his predecessor. a triumphant shout from
the Mormons, not only OF Utah, but OF
Arizona. where they are prepared to hold
the balance of power. of Idaho Nevada |
and New Mexico. VIII make the noun |
tains ring, and the power OF the church |
which elected the Democrat Roberts and |
the Republican Smoot will be magnihed |
by the Endorsement of hierarchy. and II
viii put new hope in those polygamously |
Inclined that the church may once again |
obtain influence sufficient TO nave the ban |
on plural wives removed In Utah |
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