Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-30
COL. BURPEE
A Letter Writtsn Three Days Ago
 to 1r. Southwick of Cornwall

Mir Royal K. Southwick, House of Rep
 resentatives, Hartford, Conn:
 Sir: If you have been correctly re- ported by the press, and by those who were present and heard you, you made certain false statements in your speech in the house of representatives last Wednesday concerning my nomination to be judge of the Waterbury city court. If you were present at the hear ings before the judiciary committee upon this subject, and listened to the statements made to them, and to you personally at other times, you knew that these statements were false. They were therefore malicious and slander- ous.
 First, you are reported to have said that the failure to report on certain city assessments has caused several people to pay their assessments twice In order to be able to transfer their property. That is not true, and no such statement has ever been made by any person who knows anything about the matter.
 Second, you are reported to have said that one of the city's auditors first discovered the shortage, and first called attention to it, and I fatly de nied it. That is not true, and no such statement has ever been made by any responsible person. On the contrary, it was repeatedly stated before the ju- dietary committee. and it is a well known fact, that I myself first report cd the fact that there were certain as- sessments that I had not and was not able to pay until the city books had been investigated. The city attorney who succeeded me in office, and other city onicials who are familiar with the circumstances, have made this state- ment repeatedly before the Judiciary committee. and elsewhere.
 Third, you say that I persistently neglected to do anything till wrong doing was proved" against me That is false. 1t was many times said be- fore the judiciary committee, by oth- CTS as well as myself, that l was the first to call attention to this subject of assessments, and to request an exam ination of the clty's books, and all as- sistance that could be given to me in effecting a speedy settlement; that made known these facts, and made these requests immediately after gave up the office of city attorney, and at frequent intervals ever since: and that 1t was at my suggestion finally that committee was appointed near ly two years ago to do what I had long requested. and desired to have done. These facts were repeatedly stated be- fore the judiciary committee, and else where. in public and in private, and no one has attempted to contradict them. at least in the presence of anyone who is informed about this case.
 Fourth, it is reported that you said that my own words show that for the eight years preceding the last two l had done nothing about this matter. That is false, and was shown to be so by the uncontradicted statements made before the judiciary committee. and re- peatedly by those who have been con nected with the city government dur ing the last ten years, and who know what the truth is.
 For these reasons it is reported that you said that it was shown that am not fitted to make fair judge, and that criminals might properly say that I am no more honest than they are.
 You made these statements as a rep resentative in debate in the house of representatives. No doubt you knew that for that reason you cannot be questioned concerning them in any other place. You took shelter behind this constitutional provision. and made this cowardly and unjustifiable attack upon a man who. because of your con- stitutional privilege, could not reach you and make you answer and suffer for your malicious and slanderous statements. I can have only the sat isfaction of assuring you that nothing hut your constitutional privilege pro- tects you from the punishment which the law would otherwise give. and which you deserve.
 You would have taken pains to he sure of your facts before you made such an attack upon man who could not defend. and could not avenge him self. if you were an honorable man Therefore I do not expect that you will make any attempt to right the wrong you have helped to accomplish by your islanders. Yours truly.
 LUCIEN F. BURPEE.