The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-10-23
JUDGE PoWERs's RESPECTS.

In no place IN Utah did the vigorous
attack which Judge Powers made upon
Smootism on Saturday evening last in
the Sixteenth ward in this city carry
more dismsy than in the Office of the
so-called Democratic organ in this city.
That organ is on the fence on the main
Issue IN Utah, and is in daily fear at
all times that it may fall over on the
American side. II would hate to Jump
right over. on to the Mormon side,
though it has strong leanings in that
direction.
Judge Powers excoriated Smootism; ;
in this not having the fear of the
chief prophet, seer, and revelator be.
fore his eyes. Apparently be did not
reocllect that President Joseph r. Smith
at the general priesthood meeting sue
ceeding the October conference, told
the brethren that there was no such
thing as Smoctism, and anyway, Smoot-
ism was part of the Mormon doctrine,
and that any one who attacked it at
tackled the Mormon church. The usual
Smith consistency appears here, for it
is difficult to understand how, if there
is no such thing as Smootism, it can
be q part of the Mormon church, un-
less he wishes TO admit that the Nor
mon church as at present conducted is
mere negation, denying loyalty to
country, TO kindred, and to friendship,
as well as to the laws of God and man.
Judge Powers seems not to agree with
the chief prophet, seer, and revelator
as to this attitude of the Mormon
church and the Mormon people. Judge
Powers would make them out better
than President Smith represents them
TO be; for Judge Powers acknowledges,
because he sees it on every hand, that
Smootism is the prevailing doctrine aud
political degradation which is running
rife and riotous in this State. In so
seeing, and in admitting that Smootism
is against him IN this election, Judge
Powers practically confesses his own
defeat. This means, if he remains on
the DemocTatlc ticket until election
day, that he is running hopeless of sue
'cSe' pu' taciVil W NIud+CdLS d NlCdl
principle
And what principle is it that be will
vindicate by continuing on the ticket7
He will vlndicate no Democratic prin-
ciple, nothing that in any way affects
the National Democratic party or its
policies. His remaining on the ticket
under the circumstances simply means
that while adheripg to the American
party in principle, he refuses as mat.
Ter of personal action to Join the party
that represents the principles which
he expounds. There can be no question
but that Judge Powers is quite right
not only In assuming that there is this
dominant Smootite politics IN Utah, but
that this influence is directed against
him personally, and against his so.called
party IN general; though that party as
at present conducted is mere adjunct
of the church policies. He himself, run
ming as a nominee of that party, is a
mistit; he is not in accord with the con.
trolling sentiment Of what is given out
as the Democratic party III Utah: that
is, be IS out of harmony with his
political quorum.
1t is noteworthy, also, that Judge
Powers, while he attacks the principles
of the Musser letter, appears loath to
refer TO that letter iu any public or
pointed way. He attacks its arguments
aud denounces its sentiments and ten.