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Show "The good women of the Xatlopal "V. C. T. U. havo entered a light against Smoot of Utah. Anybody may scratch the face or pull the hair of poor Smoot. The temperance women have sent a message to the Utah Legislature, expressing their disapproval of Smoot on two grounds: First, not because he belongs to the Mormon Church, but Is the candidate of the church, and second, because he docs belong to tho Church and is under un-der its Influence. In other words, the good women object to him donblyfor tho simple reason that he Is a Mormon. Mor-mon. Of course the constitution of of the United States says there shal bono disci imination against a man because of his religious belief, but who caies anything, any more, about tho Constitution of the United States? A set of principals that can be annulled In ono part of the country's coun-try's possessions can bo annulled In another can't it? But In making the plea that Smoot should not go to the senate becauso he is under the control of the Church the women are establishing a precarious pre-carious precedent. This argument may rise up to haufit tliem some time when they seek, In tho future, as they have done In the past, to secure the election of some other man under the control of some other church. And, by the way, if you aro not fully Informed about the Mormon Church, creed and work, you aro not qualified to condemn It. All churches look pretty much alike In the great common com-mon sense of the American people, and a blow of this sort at ono church is In effect a blow at them all. Be sides, If we are to exclude from tho senate all who aro under control of some organized influence or other, that august body would bo left with-out with-out a quorum. "The Influences that control most senators aro far more dangerous than that of any church can over bo Imagined Im-agined to be. It Is not a mere demagogic dem-agogic cry to say that trusts, combines com-bines and corporations control a sure majority of tho senate. Look behind almost any senator who Is permitted to become a prominent figure In Con. gress, and you will find a corporation or two standing back of hhn and controlling con-trolling him. It would not bo polite to mention names; that would bo coming too near homo. Xor is It necessary. Tho fact Is known to all who are Interested In public affairs. To these vital facts the good women aro blind. Hut they can see when a man is under tholnllUencoof achuieh, and, slnco It Is not their church, they think It too utterly awful for anything. any-thing. The common sense of the people of the United States and of tho Legislature of Utah is not apt to bo greatly Influenced by this distinctively feminine piotest. Church rows and rivalries are rather too common to disturb the general serenity. The sane longing of the public is that there might be less senators under corporation contiol and more under control of chinches or other moral influences." Kansas City AVoild. |