The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-09

eCutOn. They guITy V1nulcHtc the OIICers. Also
from Rev. George Stokes, OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church, who attended the condemned man curing bis
last moments Mr. Stokes declares that there 10 nc
truth in Gilman statement as TO any trregularity
the part OF the law officers and that Lee died satisfied
with their treatment OF him, but protesting his inno
James Pufysr and George w. Tracy. who wore Lees
special guards a. Camp Cameron, Beaver City, swear
.hs, they were the oaiy guards placed Immediately
trict Attorney always humane and honorable ana
further that Lee died expressing his thanks shereior
LgrrERs 70 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Strong letters, ENDORSING District Attorney Howard,
have been written TO General Devens, Attorney Gen.
era OF the United States, by Chief Justice schacfer
Emerson, Associate JUSTICE Freak Lockley editor Of
the Salt Lake Tribune; A. Patterson, attorney-at-
law And court S SAT- Sn KSs
Salt Lake CITY; Frank Tilford William Nelson, Urned
States Marshal, Chief Justice McKean, OF Utah. and
other prominent residents OF the Territory.
LETTERS FROM v. v. BISHOP.
Mr.. Bishop Lees counsel and the one TO whom
the condemned gave the confession recently pub
lished In the HERALD His letters 70 tho District At
,orney are very Interesting, and are as iollows:-
Hon suxxxR HOWARD Salt Lake City. Utah Terri
DRas FRrExD-Yours OF 10th aud nth inst received.
not all surprised at the attack that has been
made upon you and Marshal Nelson, Tor know of
q certainty that Utah Territory contains moro
temptble wretches proportion TO population than
any other spot on TINS sar1 IS M an
In Utah. The charge IN the Gilman affidavit II IL is as
telegraph indicates. IS as foolish as II is false
There is neither truth probability OF TRUTH
decency in il was with John q. Lee in the prison
at Salt Lake two days before argued his the
Supreme Court, ana he told me then that ne had no
hopes OF pardon. also assured him that l knew
from general conversations had had with the Cover
nor that there was no reason 10 expect pardon or
Communication, and Lee agreed with me that the time
confessions no nigh. make Lee also tod
kindly, but that you both considered him
guilty and would not consent 70 his being pardoned,
unless ne could show more evidence thnn he had set
sisted he could tell no more than In my pos
session at that time. Had you promised Lee pardon
any terms think he would have notified mo OF
the fact for he knew, and so did you, that would
take any and every advantage that could obtain
the essn OF my client vo And
either forced compliance with the terms Of the
agreement or denounced you In every way that pos
had just reason to know, and did know, that was
to him attorney should be to client, and
Therefore, feel justified in saying the whole thing
false and without even the probability OF truth.
You and Nelson had iull knowledge OF all
that was in the writings In my possess
You knew they were subject to your orders at
any and all times, hence there sense in your
making offer OF the kind, for you gained no addi-
tiona advantage by it. As attorney for John d. Lce,
did all that knew how TO do Tor him, and II either
you Nelson were In the least untrue TO your duties
not smart enough TO discover u; did not
appeal Lees case to the United States Supreme
Court because l had not money to spare to
paw the expense anu nc COuIu not Ehibo ~ lOT
did not give up his case, out necessity forced me TO
stop where did and let, what consider erroneous
opinion OF the Supreme Court OF Titan sustain aDhor-
rent and outrageous OF the District Judge;
and in my opinion, tho result was judicial murder.
Not that claim Lee to be innocent but do claim that
his conviction was obtained by due process OF law.
Yet do know that you, in all your acts as the
United States Attorney acted tho part OF honorable
and able man. All can find fault with, is the fact OF
your being successn AT the expense oil my client and
at the expense Of my own loss OF q case Nelson
brave honest, honorable and capable. and DO not
believe one word OF the slanderous charge. ANY iair
who will look at tho facts knows It to be false and
silly, as well as untrue.
You can make such use Of this letter as you desire.
l am, sir, respectfully and fraternally yours,
WILLIAM W. BISHOP.
PIocHE, April II, 1871
Hon. SUMNER HOWARD
the last OF Lee manuscript thank you for the let
ters forwarded by you. had received letters from
same persons; sl your Kindness was as fully appre
GATED as II had not received them. am pleased to
be able congratulate upon having ut Last re-
ceved justice the hands OF the tribune. II at any
time you desire 1t | will cheerully send you a
certificate that you have at all INES, the Leo case
acted the part Of able lair and honest public officer.
True you defeated and well nigh disrraced by your
success, but / know you deserve the praise OF the
people for having the nerve and good sense TO hood
wink overcome the Mormon priesthood, and
from your we'll earned reputation single particle Of
Its present lustrc. IT can aid you in any way In
future prosecutions. command and Will obey. Re.
specially and fraternaiy yours, WIN. w. BISHOP.
CHIEF JUSTICE M'KEASs LETTER
SALT LAKE Cry, Utah, April 20, 1871
Hon. CHARLES DEvESs, Attorney General Washington,
sIR-rhe Hon. Sumner Howard, United States Attor-
ncy for this Territory, has struck some telling blows
against the Mormon priesthood and others VIII o
have resided hero longer than he could have told him
advance that II he respected his oath OF Office and
did his duty desperate efforts would be made 10 over
throw him, by his rear, at Washington. l am
surprised hear that through their non Mormon
emissares the Mormon priesthood are working for Mr..
Towards removal.
In this connection II proper say that the
oil the Mormon people deserve sympathy. Most OF the
adults OF the humbest peasantry OF various Euro
spurious tbeocrato influences which prevail horc.
While they have adequate ideas OF democratic re-
ing element IN the body polite were they not msled
and grossly imposed upon. The priesthood,
however, are u dangerous class Of men. a
few OF them fanatics and the rest VII
lans very small number Of them the con-
trolling spirits OF the imposture. II the powers o.
iess-consderabiy less-inan one hundred bad men
were broken, the Mormon problem would DC solved
and we wEo are on tho ground know how easily II
could be done.
quarter OF century the Mormon priesthood generally
through their non.Mormon emissarlcs, have won
what party has been In power, whether II
was wing, democratic republican, they
have won their greatest victories In Wash
ington. No competent person Thoroughly
study the subject hero tho ground, without coming
10 the conclusion that the government OF the United
=
too large TOR this letter. viii not discuss IT,
will say, however, that federal officials in Utah,
especially judges and pubic prosecutors are men In
whom the Mormon priesthood ieel the most intense
interest II they corrupt be corrupted that
priesthood will capture them; If they capture
Them they Will try 10 ntmldate them; II they iail to
intimidutc them they Will malign and libel them,
and thus try TO overthrow them ut Washington.
There have been too many Instances OF their
success In all these endeavors 1t u high honor Ia
Mr.. Howard that nothing short OF in his rear
an attack in Washington. affords the least hope OF
victory over him.
On his arrival In the Territory Mr. Howard honored
with his confidence and have all along been FULLY
cognizant OF his piDns aud proceedings, and say,
with emphass that he ~ earnest, able aud ndefatga
BILE in the discharge oil the important duties oil hts
Office The law. dcfyng, traitorous, incestuous Nor
mon priesthood nstinctvely fear him, Tor they sus
pect, what | well know, that he Is steadily their
track, fcrrcting out their crimes. His displacement
would confirm the Mormon masses IN the delusion
that their priesthood above all human laws, and II
would add one moro TO the almost innumerable mis-
takes that have been made IN the government ms
government OF this Territory during more than
on q n