Senator Burrows on the Smoot Case

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 10, 1907

Senator Burrows on the Smoot Case

THE discussion of the Senator Smoot case was resumed in the Senate last week by Senator Julius C. Burrows, chairman of the committee on privileges and elections. Senator Burrows argued for the dismissal of Senator Smoot, not because polygamy had been proved against him, but because as a Mormon apostle he had taken vows inimical to the government of the United States. In a carefully prepared speech of about thirty thousand words, Senator Burrows set forth that Senator Smoot was a senator not so much by the votes of the people as by the appointment of the rulers of his church. We quote the following paragraphs from Senator Burrows' speech because there is that in them which applies to other movements which are progressing in this country at the present time. He claimed that Senator Smoot was disqualified for the following reasons:—

First, That at the time of his election Utah was under the complete domination of the Mormon hierarchy, of which he is a member, and that such hierarchy so far interfered with the functions of the state as to secure the election of one of its own members and an apostle, and that his certificate of election by the legislature was only the recorded edict of the hierarchy in defiance of the constitutional inhibition that no church shall dominate the state nor interfere with its functions.

Second, That this Mormon hierarchy, of which the senator is a conspicuous member, inculcates and encourages belief in and the practise of polygamy and polygamous cohabitation in violation of the laws of the State prohibiting the same, and in disregard of pledges made for its suppression; and—

Third, That the senator in connection with and as a member of such organization has taken an oath of hostility to the government of the United States, incompatible with his obligation as a senator.

Throughout his speech Senator Burrows made frequent reference to the separation of church and state in this country as one of the fundamental principles of this government, and pleaded for the dismissal of Mr. Smoot because the organization which he represents is a union of church and state of a pronounced type; also because the Mormon hierarchy had as its purpose the bringing of the whole national government back to the principles of a union of church and state, subverting the national government to the domination of the hierarchy. There is another hierarchy which has the same purpose in view for this nation, and that is the hierarchy of Rome; and there is another organization in this country which has a similar purpose in view, the National Reform organization. That, too, is seeking to have all the functions of the government directed by the church. The leaders in that movement designate it by the phrase “a union of religion and the state;” but the purpose is the same, and will work out the same result. Senator Burrows' remarks are not without striking application to these organizations also.