Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-06-12
DECLARED THAT UTAH SENATOR
REPRESENTS HIERARCHY
WHICH CONTROLS STATE
THE MINORITY REPORT


Membership In Mormon Church Does
Not Bar Him From Right to Sit In
United States Senate.
Washington, d. c., June 1.-THE
reasons for the action Of the senate
committee on privileges and elections
in declaring, by a majority vote, that
Reed Smoot is not entitled to a seat In
the senate as senator from Utah, are
stated in report submitted to the SEN
ate today by Chairman Burrows and
signed by Senators Burrows, Dolliver,
Dubois, Pettus, Bailey, Overman and
Frazier, to be as follows:
That Smoot is one of self perpetu-
ating body of men, known as the first
presidency and twelve apostles of the
church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day
Saints, commonly known as the Nor
mon church.
Claim Divine Authority.
That these men claim divine author
ity to control the members Of said
church in all things, temporal as well
as spiritual.
That this authority is, and has been
for several years past so exercised by
the said first presidency and twelve
apostles as to encourage the practice
Of polygamy and polygamous cohabita-
ton In the state of Utah and else
where, contrary to the constitution
and laws Of the state Of Utah and the
law of:the land.
A Union OF State and Church.
That said first presidency and
twelve apostles do now control, and for
long time past have controlled, the
political affairs of the state of Utah,
and have thus brought about in the
said state union of the church and
state, contrary to the constitution of
Utah and the United States, and that
said Smoot comes here not as
the accredited representative Of the
State of Utah. in the senate of the
United States, but as the chief of a
hierarchy which controls the church
and has usurped the functions OF the
state in the said state of Utah"
Position UntenabIe.
After reviewing the testimony taken
ICES as wholly untenable" the posi-
ton that because Smoot himself does
not practice polygamy, and there is
no evidence to show he has personally
and individually encouraged the
practice In others, he ought not to be
condemned because of the acts of his
associates. si
It is charged tha.. "Smoot is an in.
separable part Of the governing body
OF the Mormon church" In the judg
1nent of the committee Smoot is nc
more entitled to seat in the senate
than ne would be If he were associat
ing In polygamous cohabitation with
a plurality Of wives.
The Minority Report.
The minority report signed by Sen
ators Foraker, Beveridge, Dillingham;
Hopkins and Knox, says that Smooi
possesses all the qualifications pre-
scribed by the constitution to make
him eligible to a seat in the senate
that the regularity of his election by
toned in any manner and that Smoot's
private character is irreproachable.
Entitled to Seat.
$50 far as mere belief and member
ship In the Mormon church is con
y cerned," says the minority, "Smoot /!
within his rights and privileges unde
the guaranty of religious freedom
given by the constitution of the United
States for there is no statutory provi
sion and could not be prohibiting
either such belief or such member
ship"
According to the report there is nj
trustworthy proof that Smoot eve
took the endowment oath or that b,
Is responsible for the polygamou
cohabitation existin~ among the Nor
MONS.
Resolutions Of Expulsion.
When the majority and minority re
ports Of the committee on privilege
and elections in the case of Senate
Reed Smoot of Utah were today pre
sented in the senate, Bailey, membe
Of the committee, stated that while h
concurred in the view .of the majorit,
that Mr.. Smoot was not entitled to hi
seat, he was of the opinion tha
Smoot could not be deprived of hi
seat except by resolution of expu
sion."
smoot was present in the chambe
when the reports were presented. H
smiled broadly when Bailey made hi
statement. Under the plan suggeste
by the Texas senator vote of two
thirds would be necessary to vacat
the seat Of the Utah senator.
Chairman Burrows gave notice tha
he will call ZIP the case at the earlies
HI = = =