115 years ago today - Jan 20, 1903

The Utah legislature, as was the custom of the time in the United States, elects Reed Smoot of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to the U.S. Senate. This begins a national crusade, led by the Salt Lake Ministerial Alliance, to persuade the U.S. Senate to reject him. A long process of governmental investigation of the Church's doctrines, practices, and history ensues. In 1907, Smoot is allowed to retain his seat in the Senate, and he eventually becomes one of the most powerful Republican leaders in the nation.