The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-14
Should Not BE Expelled on Re-
ligiOus Grounds.
POINTS TO RECORD.
Utah Senator Has Been Man of
UnblemiShed Character.
A MOnogamist by Practice and
Teaching.

Washington, Feb. Ex-senator Knox
made an address in the senate today in
support of Senator Smoot's title to a
seat in the senate as representative
from Utah. He strongly opposed the
report of the committee on privileges
and elections which favors OuSting
Smoot He insisted that nothing short
of two-thirds vote of the entire sem
ate membership could unseat the Utah
senator.
Mr.. Knox insisted that Smoot should
not be expelled because of his Nor
monism as the United States had guar
anteed religious liberation in Utah. He
should not be expelled even if he ap-
proved polygamy and the senate should
not go out of it's way in defeating
UtahS choice.
Mr.. Knox argued that there is no
federal law against polygamy or po-
lygamous cohabitation applicable in
Utah.
Mr.. Knox said he had Intentionally
referred to the proposed action against
Senator Smoot as expulsion as he did
not think the senate would seriously
consider that any question is involved
except one of expulsion. He contended
that there is no question of Senator
Smoot possessing the qualifications pre-
scribed by the constitution and there
fore he could not be deprived of his
seat by a majority vote.
Subject to the constitution. said Mr..
Knox, the states are left untrammeled
in their right to choose their senators.
1T is an easy step after the first
one is taken,' continued Mr.. Knox,
the next and logical one of exclusion
because of a mans politics and then
because of his notions upon economics
and then because of his attitude tow
ard legislation.
LAS regards Senator Smoot all have
agreed that he is a man of unblemish-
ed character possessing every
constitutional qualification as
senator of the United States.
is that he is member and officer of
the Mormon church. Clearly, that in
itself cannot disqualify him in this gov
ernment where, as Mr.. Justice Story
said: The Catholic and the Protestant,
the Calvinist and the Armenian. the
Jew and the inf1del, may sit down at
the common table of the national coun-
ellis without any inquisition into their
faith and mode of worship"
Discussing the doctrines of the Nor
mon church. Mr.. Knox quoted from Mr..
Smoot's testimony that the law of the
land is binding If it came in conflict
with the church.
In this country" said Mr.. Knox.
religious belief is not an offense. A
man may believe what he chooses
without fear of molestation from the
law or deprivation of his civil rights.
The only thing alleged against Smoot
is that he tolerates polygamy. If this
diSQualif1eS him, every citizen OF Otans
Mormon and Gentle, is likewise disqual-
flied, who likewise refrains from prose-
cutting the old Mormon polygamists-
and they all do
Declaring that polygamy is dying out
and that polygamous marriages have
ended in Utah, Mr.. Knox said:
Il do not see how the sanctity of the
American home is at stake in this is
sue. If the Mormon church teaches
polygamy and encourages it's practice,
surely the fact that Senator Smooth is
a rnonoganist and has from his youth
UP. set his face and lifted up his voice
against polygamy is conclusive evidence
that he is fighting for the home