The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-21

duty OF every citizen of the republic to
defend the written instrument from the
assaults Of those who would destroy it.
with the history of the Mormon
church before us, it is a discredt to
the universally accepted creeds Of re-
liglous faith to say that Mormonism
found its inspiration in religious con-
victions; that its sponsors were moved
wholly by desire to serve God, and
thus to contribute to the salvation OF
mankind. 1t is impossible for me to as
sociate Mormonism with other sectarian
organisms. ! am In full accord with the
constitutional provision that everyone
should worship God in his or her own
way, but | have no sympathy with an
organization whose oath-bound members
carry themselves in the livery of heav-
en- in order that they may gain control
of temporal affairs, social, political and
commercial"
Foraker Follows.
Senator Foraker, who followed Mr..
Hansbrough, said:
mo case whatever has been made that
will justify us in either declaring vacant
the seat or expelling the senator from
Utah. Reed Smoot has proven a better
character than any other senator here
has a right to claim. He is so good a
man that | almost doubt him. He has
no vices, he does not drink or smoke
or chew, or swear and he is not d
polygamist."
The applause of the galleries at this
was checked by a warning by the Vice
President
Mr. Bacon gave as his reasons why
he should vote against Mr.. Smoot. as an
apostle and member of the governing
body of the Mormon church. Mr.. Smoot
countenanced polygamy, and union OF
church and state.
Mr., Bacon contended, however, that it
required two-thirds vote to expell Mr.,
Smoot. There was no one who had Il
more perfect hate of Mormonsm than
himself, said Senator Dolliver, but after
careful study of the testimony, he could
not justify vote to eXpell Mr.. Smoot
from the Senate. He did not believe a
case had been made. Mr.. Dolliver is
member of the committee on privileges
and elections, which reported resolutions
adverse to Mr. Smoot. He consented TO
the report but explaining that it had been
made soon after he took a place on the
committee said he had not then had OPP
portun1ty to study the case as he had
donce since.
Burrows Opposes.
At 2:15 o'clock Senator Burrows took
the floor to make the concluding ad-
dress before the vote.
In opposing Mr.. Smoot Mr.. Burrows as
chairman of the committee on privileges
and elections answered in detail the
arguments which had been made for Mr..
Smoot.
Mr. Burrows dealt at length with the
contention that the constitution pre-
scribed the qualification of senator's.
What the constitution really did in this
respect he urged was to make certain
limitations which might be complied with.
the Senate itself to be the judge of all
other qualifications of its members.
Mr.. Burrows reiterated what he had
said in his first speech that Mr.. Smoot
was not a polygamist He said the COM
mittee did not go into that question, and
he did not believe that our million wonl-
en- of the country who had signed pro-
tests had done 50 on this ground
Mr.. Burrows believed Mr.. Smoot had
taken a secret oath to "avenge the blood
of the patriarchs of this faith
He also spoke in severe condemna ton of
Mormon practices as developed by the
testimony.
Senator Burrows closed with a scatl-
ing condemnation of Senator Smoot, who
as an apostle, he said, could by word
put an end to polygamous practices.
Senator Hopkins at o'clock, the hour
set for voting, offered his amendment, the
effect of which was to make it necessary
to have the support of two-thirds of the
senators present to adopt the resolution
declaring Mr.. Shoots seat vacant. On
this amendment the roll was called and
the amendment adopted, the vote being
40 to 90
Senator Carmack then moved as a sub
sttute for the resolution of the commit
tee one specifically providing for the ex-
pulsion of Mr. Smoot. This was defeated
on roll call 27 to 43.
A roll call was then demanded on the
cop1mtttae reaOI11tion declaring Mr. SmOOt
not entitled to his seat and it was de-
feated 42 to IS