Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-07
SENATOR SHOOTS CASE.

The following editorial reference to
the case Of Senator Reed smoot IL from
the Portland Oregonian, one Of the in
fluential papers OF the West
among the first things that will
come up In the Senate at the session
beginning today viii be the majority re-
port OF the committee on privileges ana
elections, on the case OF Reed Smoot,
Senator from Utah. Though not po-
lygamist, Smoot is on thai for being
Mormon. The report on his case con-
cludes with the statement that Reed
Smoot Is not entitled to seat as
Senator OF the United States from the
state OF Utah. strong minority or
the committee dlssents and the result
Of the vote in the Senate Is considered
doubtful. 1t will require two-thirds to
expel.
"The charges against Smoot are sup
ported by Senator Burrows, chairman
OF the committee, and by bare ma
jority of the members. In substance
they are these: That Smoot IL, or was.
one OF the twelve apostles OF the Nor
mon Church; that the authority OF
these apostles has been exercised so as
to encourage the practice OF polygamy,
contrary to the laws OF Utah and OF the
United States that the twelve apostles
control the political affairs Of Utah,
thus practically uniting state ana
church, contrary to the Constitution OF
Utah and of the United states, and
that he IL not the accredited represent
tatiye of the State OF Utah. but the
choice OF the hierarchy which controls
the Church and has usurped the func-
lions OF tho state The Burrows re-
port, after consideration Of these
charges, said: The more deliberately
and carefully the testimony taken on
Investigation is considered, the more
irresstlbly Il leads to the conclusion
that the facts stated IN the protest are
true. And, believing them to be true,
the committee does not consider Reed
smoot properly qualified to be MEM
Der Of the United States Senate.
MANY will think these charges cover
ground rather dangerous TO tread; for
Smoot Is not nor ever was polyga-
mist. and to punish man for his ac-
herence to a church-eyen the Mormon
Church--would be a strange proceeding.
influential Senators, sitting on the
committee--Foraker, Knox. Beveridge,
Hopkins and Dillingham--could not
agree with Burrows and the majority.
''Who can prove that Smoot places
his obligations to the Mormon Church
above his duty to Utah and the United
States? The Senate or House may,
however, expel any member on charge
OF any conduct which II deems incon-
slstent with the trust and duty OF a
member"
The oregonian states the case In a
nutshell when II says: "smoot is on
trial for being a Mormon" His implac-
able antagonists raised the cry OF Nor
mon with the view OF influencing pub
lie sentiment In the early days of our
era the cry OF christian against a
citizen often evoked the response OF
'To the arena!" from frenzied, UNI
reasonable mob. The charge OF "Mor-
monl" has been relied on to perform
very much the same service In our day
and generation.
But, in the Senate, a body that can
not be swayed BY the artful tricks OF
the demagogue. the charge against the
senior Senator from Utah Is specified;
He is q member of a body that en-
courages the practice of polygamy, and
dominates politics; and he Is not the
representative OF Utah but OF ''hler.
archy." These are the accusations that
are relied upon for justification of the
persecution.
As It happens however, each and all
OF these allegations are false The
Apostles OF the Church do not encour-
ase unlawful marriage practices. and
they do not coyet the political control
OF Utah, or any other state They do
not mix the affairs of church and state.
and no credible testimony has ever been
adduced TO prove the charges The
howl OF Ignorant mobs stirred up by
bigoted preachers and the false rumors
spread broadcast by hired ven.
doris of fiction. do not consti-
tue credible testimony. 1t would
have been just as rational to
accept the rawlings OF the followers OF
Demetrius against Paul in Ephesus,
as valid basis for hostile proceedings
against the great Apostle OF the Gen.
tiles, as TO Judge Senator Smoot accord
ing to the unreasonable allegations OF
his opponents.
Senator Smoot Is on trial for being a
Mormon" And II the Senate remains
true to the principles upon which this
government was built, It will retain him
In spite of the clamor To do so would
be just. IL would also be the only saf,
policy to pursue. For If the dangerou,
precedent Is established OF the arbitrary
expulsion Of a Senator duly qualified
and regularly elected, and without
blomish upon his character or spot upor
his name, what would prevent the ar,
bltrary expulsion Of other members, ant
any number OF them, provided enough
votes could bo had for such proceed
ings7