Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-19


spiie and n, the eleventh hour. you, as
the president, without stating any rea-
sons therefor again wired, urging a
thorough reconsideration OF the case be-
cause ~ It's importance and the Justice
and advisabillty Of such n course
your interference In tho case NAV
have elevated Il TO an undue Importance,
ana receipt OF thousands OF letters de.
manding the release OF Hiilstrom. regard
less Of his guilt or innocence. may attach
peculiar importance 20 IL. but the case
IL important In Utah only as establishing,
after a fair and impartial trial. the guilt
Of one Of the perpetrators OF one OF the
most atrocious murders ever committed
In this state. II is also important by
reason OF the fact that this case has had
more careful and painstaking considera-
tion at the hands OF the proper officials
OF Utah than any other like case in the
history OF the state.
Imputation Not Justified.
AS to your suggestion that justice re-
duires further consideration of the case,
earnestly submit that the imputation
contained, not only IN your message 70
me- but also In your message to the
president Of the American Federation OF
Labor. that this convict has not had JUS
tice In the courts OF this state 10 not
justified. Three groups OF attorneys have
represented Hilistrom in the proceedings
before the district court. the supreme
court and the Board OF Pardons.
The first group was employed by Hill
strom to conduct his defense. The Sec
end group was engaged during the prog
ress OF the trial. participated In the de-
Tense. represented him before the SUI
preme court and before the Board Of Par
dons- The third group. I am informed.
was employed In Hillstrom's behalf by
the swedish minister. No fair-minded
person acquainted with the record has
any doubt OF Hillstrom's guilt. The
Board OF Pardons with most painstaking
care has investigated every rumor. every
suggestion and every clue that might
tend 10 establish the innocence OF this
man. and has most earnestly pleaded
with him to shed any light on his move
ments and whereabouts on the night OF
the homicide
During every day OF the twenty-three
months since he was charged with the
crime the board has stood. and even now
stands. ready to make further tnvastiga-
taoA auo HANc oNo COhniucIblAOn 70 any
tangible fact or circumstance that would
tend 10 establish Hillstrom's innoncenoe.
II is a significant fact that those only
are appealed to who have no knowledge
Of the facts and those only demand elem
ency who are either preJudiced In Hill
strom's favor or who demand his release
regardless OF his guilt.
Il am fully convinced that your request
must be based on a misconception of The
facts OF that there Il some reason OF an
International nature that you have not
disclosed.
With full knowledge Of all the fact
and circumstances submitted / feel that
furtehr postponement at this time
would he an unwarranted interference
with the course OF justice. Mindful OF
the obligations OF my oath of office to
zee that he laws are enforced. cannot
and will not lend myself or my office e
such interference. Tangible facts must
be presented before l viii further inter.
fere In this case"
Htstory of Case.
Joseph HIllstrom was convicted ~ ,ho
murder OF John q. Morrison. a grocer OF
Salt Lake city. and his son. AIRING. IT
years old. At MorTison's store, an thu
southern portion OF the city. about I
o'clock on the evening OF January 10
1914
The shooting was witnessed by Merlin
morrison. another son. II years old Ao-