The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-08-12
SUTHERLAND MAKES REPLY.
He Says He Is Responsible for Land
Office Matter.

FEB 10, 1sOe---Hon. William McCarty,
Salt Lake City, Utah: My Dear
Sir sIrm am am IN receipt of your tele-
eegram ana and efs stsrs WITH WITH to
the. re-appointment of Captain Hobbs as
register of the land office at Salt Lake
city Eveidently there is some mis-
understanding with reference to this mat
derstand the way in which you discuss
H. Whatever has been decided upon with
reference to Captain Hobbs, | am per-
sonally responsible for.
In fairness. to my colleagues. / think
should say that they have been in favor
OF Captain Hobbs disappointment all
along / know both gentlemen and the
eapablllties Of each. quite well. In my
judgment. without disparagefneht to Cap
tam Hobbs, Mr. Thompson is peculiarly
fitted to discharge the duties of the office,
not only because of his long practice in
.and matters but because, in addition TO
that, he Is lawyer of good ability. TIE
register of the land office is required,
from time to time, TO pass not only upon
questions relating to the administration
of the land laws but upon general legal
questions-sueh as the admission of evil
denee, etc, as well. In addition to that,
Mr.. Thompson has rendered most effective
service to his party Without going into
details, it is my judgment that he is en-
titled to recognition at the hands of the
party. and ] propose, of course. so far
as am concerned, that he shall have 1T,
provided, of course, il can de done with
out injustice to others.
Second Place for Hobbs.
II am quite willing that Captain Hobbs
should be appointed receiver and have so
recommended. This office pays exactly
the. same salary as the other position,
and such a disposition of the matter
is, In my judgment, a perfectly just dis
position of it. and | am at a less to I'm
derstand why Captain Hobbs and his
friends should not be willing to accept
1t. 1T must be apparent to you and to
others that where there are numerous
applicants for position that everybody
cannot be appointed, and that the delega-
ton here is confronted with many EN-
barrassments in attempting to make Sc
lectiOns.
There are four or five applicants for
the receivership; every one, without ex-
ception, man who is competent in every
way, who has rendered most efficient
service to his party and who is, in addi-
ton, a close personal friend of mine. Be-
cause Captain Hobbs is an old soldier and
IT is my desire that these defenders of
our country be recognized, in making my
recommendation. / have preferred Captain
Hobbs above all these. In view of this
the attitude of Captain Hobbs and his
friends in demanding not only that he
shall be taken care of, but, in addition,
that the delegation shall ignore the claims
of everybody else TO give him so par
ticular place, rather, than some other
place equally profitable is a little lit
disappointing if not little bit unfair.
Roasts the Tribune.
Your reference to the fact that great.
powerful ana influential journal of this
city-meaning the Salt Lake Tribune-is
daily making and repeating the charge
that the Utah delegation have neither
the intention nor the desire to represent
Republicanism. or Republican principles,
etc, does not appeal to me in the least.
However you may feel with reference to
the matter, | have no hesitation In say
ing to you that l do not care the snap
of my finger for the opinions of any such
renegade newspaper which, while posing
as the apostle of independence, misrepre-
sents and seeks to belittle every man who
viii not sacrifice his own independence by
yielding to its demands in all things.
II am trying TO do what seems to me
the square and decent thing as go along.
| prefer, of course, to have the approval
of everybody-that is human nature But
/ think / would not be entitled to any,
body's approval If l did, or failed to do,
something merely to avoid criticism from
those who are diligently searching at all
times for things to criticise.
This letter is not intended to be con-
fidential. Yours very truly.
GEO. SUTHERLAND"