The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-03
SHOULD SMOOT BE SENT AGAIN
TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE?

Unity hall was filled when Judge Or
slandO Powers reached II shortly after |
o'clock. NJ r Howard presided over the
meeting In introducing Judge Powers
he referred briefly To the national is
sues, dwelling particularly on the elec-
ton OF United States senator's by popu-
Judge, Powers made a short speech. in
which NJ read the following letter from
B. H. RoD-rts, declaring that this let
ter was better than any speech he might
make:
Salt Lake City, March 30. 1908.
MI Richard x. Lyman, University of
Utah, Salt Lake City:
MY Dear Friend-FOr various unaVoid-
able reasons ] have not been able to ful-
iili my promise made some time ago to
outline what regard as the reasons
why Reed smoot should not be returned
10 the senate Of the United States. I do
80 now, but very briefly and in headlines
merely.
Preliminary Considerations.
]. a public office is a public trust.
a public office primarily is not
given To honor men. but TO afford them
an opportunity Of serving the people.
3. The honor of office is I'm exact pro-
portion to the ability with which the
service is rendered
4. Any office. or multiplication of
them. bestowed upon an Individual which
is beyond his capacity to fulfill. is not
an honor. but a burden.
D. The office of an apostle is the high
est position save one that can be held In
the church and viii tax to the utmost
limit the highest capacity of man to dis
charge IL with fidelity and honor.
The office of senator is the highest
office within the gift of a state in the
American Union, and the highest office
save one in the nation, and will tax the
highest order OF intellect and character
10 discharge the duties with fidelity and
honor.
Z. To place any man in a position
where he is required to discharge the du-
ties of both offices is to require OF him
something beyond the power of mortal
man. since the offices are so divergent
in character and require such distinct
orders of ability and activities that no
man possesses power to discharge their
duties either with credit 20 himself or to
the advantage OF his church or his state.
No one viii argue that Reed Smoot
holds such a commanding position of in
thus more than dOubly hOnored in state
and church
S. Respecting Reed smoot as an apos-
tie OF the church, ! have nothing TO say
abilities TO discharge the duties of that
calling. My observation leads me TO the
conclusion that God accomplishes his
purpose at times as we'll through weak
instrumentalities as through strong ones:
and as / must needs believe that this
gentleman was called TO his place in the
apOstolate by inspiration of God. il re-
moves him in that capacity beyond my
criticism With reference to his abin- !
ties as a senator. l feel entirely free to |
criticise his fitness as a senator. the I
prir ciples he espouses, and the manner /
In which he supports them; but it is not |
my intention here to discuss that phase |
of the subject 1 merely desire to point |
out the fact that whatever order of |
abilities may be claimed for him. there |
Is no one who Will seriously undertake |
to say he is qualified to meet the respon.
slbilities Ct both offices, and those who |
urge the two positions upon him are
merely ma king him q candidate for ridi- |
Guile. and riding him under whip and spur
10 a humiliating failure.