The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-06-27
OPEN LETTER TO THE
PEOPLE OF UTAH

To the People OF tah:-Attorney
Johnson stated fact when he said that
the Thomas case being tried before
the people. Ordinarily the people are
barred from active participation IN
legal affairs by the bugaboo, contempt
of court Therefore. being unNersed
in the technicalitios of the law, it be-
hooyes us 10 treat the matters which
come before us in an every day, mat
ter of fact way in order that truth
may be revealed and justice done,
Citizens of the state, In mass meet
ing assembled preferred charges OF
manifest unntness" against II, II.
Thomas and demanded his immediate
removal from the superintendcncy of
the Industrial school. Upon receipt
OF the data upon which the citizens
based their demand. the governor
promptly appointed a. committee Jof
seven 10 hear the evidence for and
against Mr Thomas and decide upon
the merits of the case. .'tS" JilEa
The investigation committee is by
no means a court of last resort.
Thanks 10 a peculiar oversight on tho
part OF the governor MI, Joseph, DIr.
Walsh and Mr. Peerv (tTusJees) are
10 sit in judgment on the past con-
duct and present qualifications OF Mr..
Thomas, with whom they are Jointly
responsible TO the people for what
has taken place during their terms.
On the other hand the citizens arc
without representation on the com
mlttee. Without any reflection on
ho oh YpV or If ha a
mentioned gentlemen it may be said
that they have been very indiscreet
or thoughtless TO allow themselves
to be placed in such an embarrassing
position.
To save time and secure larger
audience an attempt was made 10
have the meetings i'll the City Hall
The citizens and majority of the
governors committee were willing TO
have the sessions down town and OBJ
tanned the governors consent 1t is
significant that no change was made
and In consequence. witnesses for the
defense have testified, with i'll dis
guised triumph, that discipline at the
institution has been been shot to
pieces By the investigation
fense. voiced the apparent attitude OF
the committee toward the citizens
when she said People is too nosey,
they interfere with other peoples
business" Witness expects employ
ment at the institution
Mr. Thomas is trying 10 hold his
Job, Since counsel for the defense
has declared that practically all the
witnesses for the prosecution are ex-
employees, IT may be here stated thai
practically all the witnesses Tor the
defense are, present or prospective
job or Office holders. Dr. Smith, Mr..
Myers, Mr.. Griffin, Mr.. Ackert, Miss
Mary Dale, Miss Lulu Mitchell, Mfs!
Thomas and Mls9 Colviil5 aI,e all III
this class Nj 10 Blchsel and Mi
Scowcroft were interested 10 the ex-
tent OF protecting the quality OF the
goods they furnished the institution,
while Mr.. T. b. Evans had to do tho
same and face his responsibility as .
member of the board
The Witnesses for the prosecution
in this cause have all been questioned
as TO their reasons for bearing eyi-
dence against Mr. Thomas. Two OF
'L'lAr hli d N-iOSpN WI > tldlelu
are interested as parents As TO the
others. Il makes no difference IN the
weight of their testimony whether
they quit the institution of their own
accord or were justly or unjustly dis
missed by the superintendent In
either case their sworn statements are
bound to hold until they Dire proven
to be untrue. The fact that most or
the witnesses for the defense are
bound not to quarrel with their bread
and butter is so glaringly self evident
that any questions along that line
would be superlluous.
Any extended examination of the
evidence at this time would be out OF
place. IL is up TO counsel to argue the
case and then it will be up TO the
committee 10 decide whether or not
they can recommend II, n. Thomas
as fit incumbent for the supevlnten.
dency Of the Industrial school
AS the case stands It seems TO ~
question OF veracity between Mr..
Thomas and the substantiated state
ments Of three women rhe commit.
tee will probably be called upon to
decide as 10 whether or not brutal
treatment OF defenseless children is
justified in Utah on the grounds tina,
IT Is the rule elsewhere (Signed
4 L-FI