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Show -272to hold his seat was supported by popular opinion all In this at the instance of Utah investigated atmosphere across the country. the American arose Gentile mistrust of the motives of the across the Church President Snow had in debt. heavily was policy, and, according the Smoot the polygamy widespread which was to inaugurated President Arrington, a the campaign plan at Joseph F. "with a to sell Church time when the Smith continued the particular emphasis during trial."ll Thus, during the period of American activity the Church divesting itself of had not been party pre country. By 1899, however, there had begun assets. Party, profiting by Church, and by criticism of the Church and the institution of valent Gentiles, considerable economic power. responsible was If the rise of the for the initiation of the policy of di vestment, the existence of the party perhaps encouraged that policy. Curiously, the American ing the Republican Party. to exercise an the Americans even Party could By providing stronger influence unwittingly created a an in be credited with excuse politics strengthen for the Church leaders in the State of utah, situation in which the Church Presi dent cooperated closely with the Republican party with the single major goal of defeating them. American so doing Party he was won the Reed Smoot used the the matter of first support argument importance that defeat of the to the Church, and by of the Church President for the Republican Party. The Democratic Party, which had not won a major victory since |
