The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-11

Washington, Dec 1rWhen the senate
convened today the case Of Reed Smoot
was taken mp and Senator Burrows made
a strong speech in favor OF declaring va
cant the seat now occupied by the man
from Utah.
Senator Burrows said there had been no
proof submitted 10 sustain the allegation
that Mr.. Smoot is polygamst. ADDING
that the recommendation OF the commit
Tee on privileges and elections in favor of
declaring vacant the seat of the Utah sen
ator Is not based on such charge.
Mr. Burrows impeachment was based
entirely upon the connection OF Mr. Snloot
with the governing body Of the Mormon
church consisting OF the presidency ana
tho IL apostles. He said:.
The power exercised by this body is
far-reaching and commanding. holding IN
It's grasp practically the entire member
shin of the organization and through IL
the domination of the state by arrogat'ng
II itself and incucating the belief In its
followers that they are endowed win
supernatura powers as prophets. seers
and revelstors, and specially commission
cd by the Almighty 10 dominate the al
fairs OF this world and that resistance 10
thr will of this theocracy IL repelhoh
against God.
THE testimony fully sustains the alega-
sions that the Mormon priesthood Is vest
cd with supreme authority in all things
temporal and spiritual; and that tho trst
presidency and the l2 apostles are supreme
in the exercise and transmission OF the
mandates OF this authority
He said that since the admission OF
Utah into ...e Union the people OF the
state have been, II possible, more COM
pletely under the domination of the Nor
mon hierarchy than during the long years
OF their territorial existence" and In sup
port Of this statement said that "the
la .APfi bal1 hNr Mormon under
the state government during the 10 years
OF It's existence. as an elective officer has
been the attorney general"
He quoted the church manifesto OF 1895
requiring members 10 obtain the consent
OF the hierarchy before becoming candi-
reled to obtain this permission He was
ncminate1 by the hierarchy said Mr.,
Burrows "srd the selection ratified BY
the legislature
lie went on From the moment II is
known that q candidate has permission or
the hierarchy to be a candidate he has
back Of him the whole power OF the Nor
mon church and his election Is assured
didate for a high office In Utah has oh
tained the consent OF tho church TO run
and has been defeated" "
He said that Mr.. Smoots membership
In the church governing body which IN
culcstes 2 belief IN polygamN. rs con-
ceded Concluding that the members of
the hpirachN teaCn polNEdulN "a plln-
cple of human conduct. ho took up the
question as 20 whether they practice IT,
He spoke OF the astoniShment OF the
committee at the confessions OF President
Smith and OF his confession of five wives
and ~ children Mr.. Burrows added. III
the public press is TO be credited this
number has been augmented during the
last year 10 a. and while We are discuss
ing the right of the representative 81 the
hierarchy 70 a seat In this body. we can
imagine It's sanity head sitting IN the
home of his nth plural wife. rocking the
cradle Of the latest illegitimate offspring
OF his debsuchery and crime and with
tanctimonous air singing the familiar
hymn OF his church:
Now the Gentle reign is DER.
Darkness covers earth no more
Gentle tyrants sing 70 He'll
Now's the day Of Israel"
Coming 10 the connection OF Senator
smoot with the hierarchy Mr.. Burrows
said that practically ali Of rs members
were polygamlsts when he became a mem-
Der The vital question therefor "a" hc
said, can one become a member ot and
identify himself with a band ~ law
breakers. knowing them 90 DO Sgch per.
ticipate in their counsels. anl sustlin
them I'm their conferences. and yet escapp
all responsibility for their unlawful acts
Such contention will not stand the tcst
OF either law or reason.
Senator Burrows concluded as follows: