The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-02-21
Mr.. sMoor's VICTORY.

Mr.. SHOOTS VICTORY.
After completing two-thirds Of his
term. Senator Shoots title 10 his seat
has finally been confirmed in the SEN
ate Of The United states by vote OF
A. to IS. The final result was no sur
prise except To such as had been misled
by the opposition to the senator into
the belief that there was hope of un-
seating him.
AS The Herald has frequently foretold
would be the case. the whole power of
the federal administration was arraved
on sIsoot's side for political reasons; in
addition a number Of the senators be-
lieved that no senator could be unseat-
ed by less than the twO-thirds vote
provided for in the constitution, and
they were unwilling to evade this pro-
vision as suggested by the Burrows
eomnpttee III its report recon-
nending the adoption by majority
vote of resolution declaring the seat
vacant
The case OF the protestants against
Smoot was weak from its inception for
these reasons:
The protestants based their chief
hope Of unseating him on the ground,
rs alleged. that lie was member of a
religions body which took an obligation
REASONABLE in its nature. The evidence
adduced on this point was not con
vincing. and Senator Smoot himself.
both i'm his evidence and in his speech,
expressly repudiated the charge.
1t was charged that the Mormon
church, of which Senator Smoot was
an apostle and therefore one of the re-
sponsible leaders, still teaches and
practices polygamy in defiance of the
express promise of the state on assum-
ing statehood. as well as in defiance OF
public sentiment and that therefore he
was not worthy to occupy seat in the
senate
Against this Senator Smoo, produced
evidence that ne was not a TOlygamist,
had not been accused of poygamy in
the presentment. and had set his face
against the practice His speech made
a strong disclaimer of any sympathy
with poiygainy. although neither he nor
his supporters touched upon the record
Of his vote in conference sustaining po-
lygamists in ecclesiastical power.
These Two charges seem 10 have been
the crux OF the discussion and the de-
-iding elements in the case. although
the charge of church interference in |
political affairs was touched upon
lightly by both sides and under differ !
ent political conditions might have
played a more important part in the !
hnsl test. Having failed To prove TO |
the satisfaction OF the senate that
Snioot had taken an obligation of i'm
piled disloyalty, and that his church |
now teaches and practices polygamy. |
the legal phases OF the contest werel
settled in his favor With determine |
zion to require the constitutional two
thirds vote. and deciding that the main |
charges were not proven. the final |
alignment was simply a matter of form. |
What next?
VIII Mr. Stnoot be satisfied with his
one experience in the senate and retire |
from ii at the end OF his term for the |
good of his state. his party and his i
church? Or viii he regard this triumph |
as a warrant for further participation |
in and control of the political affairs of |
the state2 VIII he do his utmost TO /
end the warfare that has torn the (
whole commonwealth into factions, in
jured its material prosperity and given l
1t unenviahle notoriety abroad or viii /
he maintain that his vindication at the
hands of the senate justihes him in
continuing his political career regard
less of the result at homer
on his answer viii depend largely |
she Immediate future of Utah If he Is
big enough to sacrifice his natural am
billions for the sake of his people the
way ought to be clear; il he is willing
10 see the strife continued and the fac
tional breach remain open. the final
settlement of the states great problem
win be deferred indefinitely. its bes;
interests be Handicapped by uncer-
tainsy and unrest and its politics re-
tain all the guerrilla features that have
made for Infinite harm.