8 THE ACORN THE INVESTIGATION. The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections has been, for some time past, investigating Senator Smoot's right to a seat in Congress. This investigation was ordered by the Senate, because of charges made by ministers, and because of the subsequent petitions from Women's Clubs, pleading for the protection of the sanctity of the American home. The senator was charged, first, with being a polygamist; and second, with having taken an oath that would prevent his doing his duty as a senator of the United States. When the first charge was proved absolutely false, his protestants tried to urge their cause by saying he was associated with polygamists and therefore should not be permitted to retain his seat. The Committee is now investigating the second accusation, but thus far has proved absolutely nothing. Nor can it; for the second charge is just as false as the first. It is not the Senator they fight, but the Church. They know as well as we that Senator Smoot is not, nor never has been a law-breaker; but that he is an honest, virtuous, Godfearing man. They admit that his election was unquestionably fair; that he was elected by both Gentile and "Mormon" votes; that his business ability is remarkable, and that he possesses every qualification of a Senator. What is it then that unfit.-; him? It is nothing more or less than his obedience to conscience in religious matters. Is conscience man's enemy? Should a man suffer for his beliefs, if he does not practice them against the laws of his country? Must a man pay the penalty for others' acts simply because he be- longs to the same organization that they do? Shall a man's dormant thoughts or beliefs hinder him from holding a political office? The actions of some of the Committeemen and protestators PERSECUTORS is a better term would seem to justify an affirmative answer to these questions. Thinking men are surprised that it is so, and are almost tempted to believe that "Judgment has fled to brutish beasts, and men have lost their reason." Although the Committee has exceeded its power by prying into the private affairs nothing but what is an honor to Utah and the Church has been found. Because the truthful statements of President Smith, Lyman and others have been contorted by the vile pens of willful falsifiers, does their virtue, truthfulness or chastity, or that of Smoot's, fade in the minds of honest people? We commend the spirit shown by some of the leading papers. They noted the cause of the investigation and were honest enough to censure Congress for its course, and credit the Church witnesses for their patriotism and truthfulness. On the other hand we despise the crafty deceit of some of our own papers as well as those not of us, who pretend, for the sake of the nickels to be obtained, to be surprised at the testimonies given by some of the leading witnesses, and who deliberately misconstrue the latters' statements, so as to cause a sensation among the ignorant. We cannot help but see the ill will, hatred, and malice that is manifested toward us as a people by the protestators. We admire the magnanimity shown by our leaders. We congratulate the people of the United States THE ACORN 9 and the world on the opportunity they now have of learning of the workings and beliefs of the "Despised Mormon Church." In the eyes of the fair minded, Utah has lost nothing, but rather gainec much; while in the judgment of the capable she has received tributes. Again Smoot has gained honor anc popularity; and his seat in Congress cannot be justly taken from him. W. B. TWO GEMS FROM OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. Lie and Truth. The "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table" contains a great many beautiful truths expressed in a pleasing manner and applied to everyday life. One of the gems is the "Lie" and the "Truth," which are compared to a sphere and a cube respectively. While the child is yet young a youthful angel stands before him, holding in her right hand cubes of ivory on which are written in gold letters T-R-U-T-H, and in her left hand she holds spheres like marbles, which have a beautiful appearance, but underneath the scarlet cover may be found streaks and spots. If observed very closely the letters, L-I-E, can be found on every sphere. The child siezes both, but is very apt to use the spheres, as he finds them to be so much more convenient and interesting because they roll without any resistance in whichever direction he desires them to. The cubes, on the other hand, require more of an effort to move them, and remain just where they are put. But after the child has used the spheres and later returns to take them up again he discovers that they have rolled into some corner, and when he needs them most he is unable to fine them. So he learns by experience that after all the cubes are the best as they are always just where he left them. So it is in life. A lie is very easily told and passes readily from one to another, but when we need the lie again we are unable to tell it in just the same words, so we modify it a little and it rolls from one place to another until it gets in some corner far out of reach. We see the dangers of dishonesty mainly in the business affairs of life. An unreliable man may succeed for a time; his business may flourish, while his neighbor, the honest man, is almost compelled to close down. But things change, people find out the former and withdraw their patronage from him, and go to the latter whom they can trust. It is due to this one weakness that so many of the business establishments fail. Not only is this untruthfulness shown in business but also in everything else in life, especially in society. It is almost impossible to conceive the hypocrisy and deceit practiced among men. Very often we meet men and women who, from outward appearances, are perfect gentlemen and ladies, but it does not take long to discern their spots and streaks. Some people are in the habit of thinking that unless truth rolls we can do nothing with it. In speaking of this Holmes says, "First comes Timidity, and after her Good Nature, and last of all Polite Behavior, all insisting that truth must roll or nobody can do anything with it: and so the first