Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-07-21

citizens Almost Unanimous that Pros
ecutlon should he Assisted,


citizens Almost Unanimous that Pros
ecution should he Assisted.
with n View to feeling the public
pulse with reference to the refusal Of
County Attorney Putnam TO secure
legal assistance FOR the prosecution OF
Bcnbrook. the slayer Of Burton G. Nor
rls. representative OF the News" to-
day called upon several business men
and attorneya and secured from them
expressions Of opinion In the matter.
So far. no one has been found who
thought the public prosecutor would
secure for the county such necessary
assistance a. this now celebrated cnsc
seems to demand. In every Instance
the citizen expressing his thoughts on
this matter has taken pains TO point
out that his insistance upon the cm-
ploymcnt Of additional counsel FOR the
prosecution does not arise from any
lack OF confidence IN County Attorney
Putnam. and that the opinion thus eN-
pressed must not be viewed as In the
least "a reflection upon the ability Of
the public prosecutor. In fact. all were
glad TO give words OF commentator
FOR these officials. but their desires IN
this case are simply the result Of great
anxiety 20 have absolute Justice done
for both sides and to avoid what Il
generally termed "a lawyers victory"
Here are the thoughts Of some Of Salt
Lakes citizens.
Bishop Orson r. whlmey.-In view
Of the fact that Judge Powers Is con-
aldered TO be one Of the best criminal
attorney IN the country, and consid-
erinE the array OF legal talent which
appears ON the side of tn defense. I
think that the county prosecutor should
have some assistance. The Idea ia. "
course that Justice should be done 20
all parties In this case. and ! don't
think the county can anord 10 lose
the case on account OF the difference In
legal representation. nor that the de-
Tense can AFFORD TO win for the same
reason.
Colonel Chas. +. Burton.-f feel that
the taking Of human life here In Utah
has been Of too frequent occurrence and
every expodient ought to be used 10
stop Il. I would Ike To seq Judge
Dickson ON this side " the prosecu-
ton.
Hugh j. Cannon.-lt is not square
deal 10 the citizens and the family to
have such d difference IN the legal rep
resentation. 1 don't even think the
family should be put tn the necessity
uf securing this assistance for the
county attorney. the county ought to
pay FOR H.
W. n. wnllams.-As u mere matter Of
IMNAlNF MNNN VI WV NIAWANA AAAAA Wv
prosecution should have an equal rep
rrscntation with the defendant
Hyde =. ioung.-i don't know Mr.,
Putnaa nor anything M to his ability.
but In justice 10 the family ana the
community at large think the pub
lie prosecutor should have assistance.
Fergus Coaltor.-It In no reflection ON
Mr. Putnum'a ability when the people
request that he secure assistance In !
this ease, or at least allow the family |
90 employ special counsel, II such as
Hlstance were secured by the family | |
think the attorneys should be admitted
In the case,
Jesse w. Fox.--It would be next thing |
to an outrage to allow the case to go |
on with such difference between the |
legal representations.
Jno. u. Dooly-I don't know anything |
about the case, | know that there has |
been a man shot. II We're To say that |
the prosecution should have assistance |
IL would seem a reflection on MIR. Put !
MANS ability. I believe the county at |
torney cannot employ assistance In |
such cascs-the statutes do not provide |
right Co secure all the legal talent they |
feel inclined TO employ. No, | don't |
care TO express an opinion.
Hon. II, y, Hcnderson-f certainly |
think the county attorney should have |
assistance; Il IL usual In u case so Inn |
portnnt az this one
Louis Cohn.-By all means let the |
county attorney have help. suppose |
In opposition II IN said this would be |
an unnecessary prosecution. but l can't |
see Il that way. When family |
plunged In grief as this one II. dcsir,s !
to employ special or private counsel II |
should be allowed 10 do 20.
Gen, John y, Cannon certainly 1
think the county attorney should have |
help and plenty OF H. The fact is |
that the best criminal lawyers In any |
community will seldom accept the POSI- |
tion Of public prosecutor because the |
salary attached 10 the office N 30 much |
less than their practice brings them |
When u man of means, or one whose /
friends have money " charged with |
crime he has at his command as much |
of the best legal talent az lie chooses |
to employ, hence the public IL handi- |
capped II the public prosecutor II not |
allowed To secure such assistance as |
may be necessary. While no reflection |
-. go.