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Show Senator Smoot REED SMOOT has .passed the stage - -of senator-elect, an,d is now sworn in as a member of that august body. It must be a great disappointment disappoint-ment to 'those who opposed both his election and his admission to the senate sen-ate after election on the ground of his religious belief. It is well that the members of the United States senate took no cognizauce of the objections raised. The constitution guarantees that one's religion shall be no objection to the rights and privileges of citizenship. citizen-ship. The senate is, made by the constitution con-stitution the judge of the election and qualifications of its members. Its plain I duty in the case of Senator Smoot was ; to examine his credentials and ascer- j tain if he had the qualifications pre scribed by the constitution, and had he been elected in accordance with and under the laws of the state of Utah and of the United States. A religious test would be a very dangerous precedent. prece-dent. Those who raised the objection to Senator Smoot being seated claim to be actuated by patriotism, and that Mormon creed cut no figure with them. This is speaking, with a double tongue, for they contradict In one breath what they assert in the next. It is well that the members of the United States senate sen-ate ate not influenced by sectarian prejudice or the false alarm of noisy politicians who would, if they could, break down the safeguards which the j constitution guarantees to all its citi- j zens. |
