The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-12-23
MORMON ELDER
DISCUSSES
SMOOT
Former Congressman Rob
erts Also Talks Interest
ingly of Mormonism
at Jacksonville.

when such delegation comes from
| the so-called Mormon church in Utah.
+, The delegation that arrived here
Monday night consists of Elder
+ George Albert Smith of the quorum of
( the Twelve Apostles, Mr. Smith, it
may be remarked parenthetically is
a distant relative of the present presl-
dent of the church, Joseph Smith,
known by way of pre-eminence
among the Mormons as "the
Prophet" Mr. B. II. Roberts, former
congressman from Utah. who was eX-
PEELED from the house on account of
being involved in the former marriage
system that obtained in his church.
is one of the seventy apostles of the
church; while Mr.. Ben z. Rich is one
of the same order of priesthood with
Mr.. Roberts and president of the
southern states in which there are
200 Mormon elders from Utah labor
ing as missionaries.
The coming of those high Mormon
churcbmen into Florida just at this
time. when the DISPATCHES from Wash
ington are burdened with accounts of
the discussion going on in the senate
of the United States on Mormon af-
fairs. and the official fate of Senator
Smoot of Utah is hanging in the bal
ance. increases the interest of the
public in these gentlemen now in
Jacksonville. .-...
/. Roberts Talks of Smoot.
Former Congressman Roberts was
found BY a Times-Union reporter yes
terday at the Park hotel and natural
" the first question asked was @Do
YOU neonle think that Senator Smoot
of Utah will keen his seat?"
at would be difficult to state with
any accuracy just what the expecta-
tion of our people is upon that sub
ject." replied Mr. Roberts. "By
your people, of course, l suppose
you mean the Mormon people?'"
he continued. VERY naturally the
people of your state and of the whole
country regard the senatorial fate Of
Mr.. Smoot as peculiarly and exclusive
ly matter of Mormon interest.
assure you it is not. While Mr.
Smoot is a Mormon and high church
official. belonging. in fact, to the same
quorum as Mr. Smith here-the
twelve apostles, undoubtedly more
non-Mormons in Utah voted for Mr.
Smoot than Mormons.
THE majority of the Mormon peo-
pie are democrats, while Mr.. SmOot
is an ardent republican. and was
elected by that party, the majority
OF which in our state are made up
of gentiles or non-MOrmons, and they
stand up responsible for Mr. Shoots
election. The democrats of the state,
large majority of whom are Nor
mons, would very gladly have seen
some one else elected rather than
Mr.. Smoot, though he is a Mormon
and an apostle. Needless to say that
l am among that number" ct will
be remembered that Mr. Roberts is
Democrat, and as such was elected
to congress in 1889
"Mr. Shoots case" continued the
elder. is purely a political matter in
which the people of the state of Utah
have a very lively interest; but in
which the Mormon church, as such,
has no interest whatever. 1t is a
political, not a religious, issuel a
state and not a church affair. As a
political question it rises above mere
party politics, however, for the reason
that it involves the right of a state
to select its own representatives to
the national congress. By which
mean this: given the fact that the
representative-elect, senator or mem
Der of the house is law-abiding citi.
zen; posses the necessary uualifica-
lions prescribed by the constitution
and is legally elected, can either
the senate or the house exclude or
expel him? That is the case of Reed
Smoot 1t is conceded that he has VIC
lated no law. He is not In any way
involved in the Objectionable features
of the Mormon marriage system-now
matter of the past 1t is conceded
that he has all the qualifications pre-
scribed by the constitution, and he
was duly elected-will his seat be
denied him? Frankly and conf
| dentially," (of course Mr. Roberts
smiledD, Il don't know just what those
! people at Washington will do. If
We're to judge the present likelihoode
| by past actions, and the senate by the
/ muse. NHeH mOTluOH TlSuJS are III
volved, why-but all that is another
| story. said the speaker. suddenly
breaking of. And then: Il can only
say that if legal and constitutional
principles govern the action of the
senate, and not religious prejudice
and not the clamor of bigots outside
the senate, Mr. Smoot will undoubt-
| edly retain his seat"
No More Plural Marriages.
And you seriously wish to be I'M
derstood as representing to the
country that the plural marriage sys-
TEN of your church. as a practice, is
matter of the past as you said
a moment ago." queried the inter
viewer.
Most assuredly, and most en-
phat:cally. and in spite of all that may
be alleged to the contrary" answered
Mr. Smith at this point Since the
manifesto of the president of the
church. issued in 1890. announcing his
intention to obey the law Of the land
with reference to plural marriage.
and advising his people to do the
same thing. which advice and the
whole manifesto at the ensuing gen.
eral conference of the church (Octo-
Der 6. 1S90), was adopted as the rule