The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-05-08
ROBERTS ON sMooT.

ROBERTS ON sMooT.
B. H. Roberts has done a public SER
vice in permitting the publication of
his letter to Professor Lyman, In which
he discusses the reasons why Senator
Shoots candidacy for a second term
is unwise. In II he discusses the ques-
ton with eminent fairness. with due
regard for his own religious affiliations
and with admirable, not TO say surpris-
ing, candor.
Mr.. Roberts first premise is that no
man, however exalted his ability. is big
enough 10 fill acceptably the two Of
fees OF senator of the United States
and apostle of the Mormon church. In
this opinion Mr.. Roberts speaks on the
church side with the authority of one
entirely familiar with his subject and
fully acquainted with the duties OF the
apostolic office. To him. as TO all MEM
bers of the church, the office of apostle
is, of itself, the most desirable position
to be attained by any man, excepting
only the presidency Of the church To
him. as to other members, the place is
sacred in its obligations, most exalted
in its opportunities. calling for all the
best powers Of the incumbent and sur
charged with demands which preclude
any other ambitions. On that phase of
the discussion no one Will dispute his
argument or question his right to
speak
= X
ON the civil side, every citizen. with
out regard to his creed or his political
belief, will agree with him that the
senatorship is one of the highest Of
fees of the republic in some respects
the most distinguished and influential.
It's duties are wide in scope, unlimited
in number; in a representative sense
il runs above every other Office in the
nation. AS Mr.. Roberts says. It will
tax the highest order of intellect and
character TO discharge its duties with
fidelity and honor"
1t is TO be specially noted that Mr.
Roberts does not question the fitness
Of Mr.. Smoot for the apostleship or his
ability TO discharge the duties Of that
calling; as a member of the church.
and an officer in that church, he abides
by the belief that the selection of an
apostle is by inspiration. and has no
word of criticism to offer. Nor does he
spend much time in debating Shoots
qualifications as a senator. The essen
tial point he makes is that no man
certainly not SmOOt-can possess the
manifold abilities required to meet the
responsibilities Of both offices.
X x
Pursuing his argument, Mr.. Roberts
presents the public reasons against re-
election. In his opinion there is no oc-
casion for his election on the score of
his transcendental abilities or that
there are no others worthy or capable
TO I'LL the place. since in his party -alone
there are at least 500 men In the state
any one of whom could discharge
the duties OF the Office in an equally ac~
ceptable manner, and some of them
with greater credit and advantage to
the state, and without perpetuating the
old antagonism and exciting new ones"
Further, Mr.. Roberts says. Shoots
election would mean a renewal of the
contest al Washington, a fact already
discernible to those familiar with the
plans of the sectarian opposition to the
senior senator. Mr.. Roberts might
properly have added that whether, In
case of his reelection, Senator Smoot
succeeded in retaining his seat or not.
the continuance of the struggle is not
an agreeable prospect to any citizen of
Utah, whether friend or foe of the SEN
ator
X x X
Following this, the letter points out
that the reelection Of Smoot would be.
like his original election. in violation
of the American sentiment that high
church officials should not seek nor hold
political positions. He re-enforces this
statement with query as to what
would happen IL Cardinal Gibbons were
elected TO the senate by the Catholics
of Maryland, or Archbishop Ireland by
other Catholic voters. And he closes
this parallel with the declaration that
''if Reed Smoot becomes a candidate TO
succeed himself it will perpetuate the
bitterness of spirit in our local politics.
keep alive the cry of the domination of
of politics by church influence. 1t will
ALLEVIATE the loyalty 10 the Mormon