Imperial Valley press., 1922-08-18
YOUNG man. MAKES
AGGRESSIVE FIGHT
FOR COUNTY OFFICE
Ernest r. Utley Making People
Sit Up and Take Notice In
WhirllUind Canvass for
District AftOrney

DtStEtCL AttOTUCH
In voting for a man for the
office of District Attorney the
people of this county should
take into consideration the
fact that this is one of the most
important offices of the coun-
ty. 1t is a full sized mans job
and should not be had simply
for the asking, neither should it
be bestowed as a matter of
charity or friendship. No per-
son should be placed in this re-
sponsible position at this time
who is not ready, able and will
ing to enforce all the law all the
time, without regard to place or
position. No person should be
placed in this office who does
not now, and has not hereto
fore stood squarely and unmis-
takably for strict and rigid
economy.
The office of district attor-
ney is not and never was in
tended to be made means of
persecution neither was it in
tended for a haven of refuge
where the lawless might seek
shelter. The office of district
attorney was intended, and
should be, an office through
which the dignity of the law
might be upheld, and the dis
trict attorney should be a man
whose every effort should be
directed to that end.
Ernest R. Utley, a young
man, a competent attorney
with energy and good common
sense is making a winning race
for this office, standing for
strict law enforcement, econo-
my and efficiency and pledged
to devote all his time to the
duties of the office.
Mr.. Utley was born on a
farm in Beckham county, Ok
lahoma. in 1894, and in 1910
moved to Cordell, Washita
county, Oklahoma. In 1915 he
became private secretary to
Congressman Jim McClintic of
Oklahoma. In June 1917 he re-
signed this position to accept
the appointment of assistant
county attorney of Washita
county which position he held
until 1919, when he came to I'M
perial valley where he has since
been actively engaged in the
practice of law.
In spite of his youthful ap-
pearance Mr.. Utley has been
actively engaged in the prac-
tice of law for more than five
years and during that time has
made a close study of criminal
law. He has shown remark
able aptitude for criminal law
not only as prosecutor but
also as representative for the
defense. His successful cases
are the best recommendation
which can be cited as a reason
why he should be elected as
district attorney. 1t should be
remembered that not only has
he been successful both in the
prosecution and defense of
criminal actions in the lower
courts, but also in the past year
he has appealed three import
ant criminal cases, which he
lost in the lower courts,
two of which have already
been decided in his favor
and sent back for new trials.
The other case is still under
advisement with equally good
chances of reversal. In this
connection it may be suggested
that there is something more
for the district attorney to
know than merely knowing how
to present his case in a way
which will cause the jury to
bring in conviction. If he is
successful he must be able to
present his case SO that it will
"hold water" in the higher
courts. Utley has proved his
ability in this regard as pros
ecutor and on the other hand
ho hoo nrovad that he knOWs