Arizona weekly citizen., 1884-03-22
HON. SUMNER HOWARD
Information ll Relation t9 the PF0s-
 p3CtiVG Chief Justice
Obtained from & Former Editor of
 the "CitiZpn."
A Nest Satisfactory Record.

Understanding that J. 4. Whitmore, Esq, formerly editor and one of the pro. prietors of this paper, who is now so- iourning in the Territory, is a native of Michigan and acquainted with Hon. Sumner Howard, whom the telegraph announces has been nominated Chief Justice of Arizona to succeed Judge French whose term has expired, CIrI- zEN reporter called upon him for iafor- nation.
 "Mr. Whiimore," asked the inter- viewer, ''would you be wiling to furnish the CITIZEN with such information as you possess in relation to the new ap- pointee as Chief Just ce Of this Terri tory?"
 Most assurediy. I have known MT. Howard by reputation and personally yer since I was a boy at school ID Flint, Michigan, where the gentleman now resides"
 "Will you give a personal description of the geatieman:'
 ''He is a man of about medium night and weight, with iron gray hair and whiskrrs. lie is in the prime Of life. with fuil mental and physical yigor."
 Will you please to state any facts in relation to his history that may occur to you:"
 MT. Howard has for years been 9 res ident of Flint, Michigan. h politics ne . has always been, since the organization . ..H -l. r4r- .sA .t f. r ! the bar he Las beea ole of the most able and successful lawyers in tue State. ! He served sever terms as prosecuting attorney of Geue.ee county, and was uuifOrmly successful in the conduct of ] public cases. He vas appointed United 1 States District Attorney for Utah, and obtained considerable no5oriety for the 1 prosecution and convection Of John D. ! Lee Tor the AiouataIn Meadow 2assa- ere He was a member oi the last Michigan legislature and Speaker oi the Honse He is 8 bright and eloquent !. speaker, and considerably noted both on tho stump and at the bar for his ready wis and quick repartee.'
 Was not Mr. Howard | name men toned in connection wi-a the appoint ment of chief justice of Utah:"
 
 January last. is was generally supposed that Nr Howard name would be sen, to the Senate fc- ,hat position. There was, however, strong opposition to him. His prosecution of Lee haa aroused the bitter hostility of the Mormon hi5racby and they left no stone untu-Led tO preyel5 lis aTp' utmen-. They ompeo ID charges, but MT HOGsTd went to a.. a point that could be urged against Eim Duric- his interview with President Arthur, Ben Butler chauced to call and tCok occasion to give Mr. Howard the strongest endorsement as tLe first Uulted States official that mad had the nerve to bring the authors of a great crime to justice. The P-eside4t Was ID dcuat, however, as ta the policy of ap- pointing man who had the personal eamitv of such a large bcdy of people for whom he wes 10 administer the law lie concluded, however, either 10 ap point him to Utah or so.ne other equal ly important gositiCn.'
 Do you think the eappointmeata good one. iudgng from your knowledge oi the requlrements of the Te-ritory!'
 "Yes, { consider ths appointment a good one. Mir. Towards legal know ledge will command the respect of the bar and the people and his general nan uer and pleasing address will win theil friendship. His Western experieuct and knowledre of criminal law and practice will insure that that lmpor;aut branch of ju-tice will not fail 10 bC properly admniztrated b, him. 1 regard Il as one of the best appointments Presl dent Arthur has made"