B: Oct.-Nov. 17, 1915

"A Square deal to all men."

Ernest James Beutell Rahway, New Jersey

Oct. 4, '15

Governor of the State of Utah,

Honorable Sir:-

I thank you for the copy of the decision of the Supreme Court of Utah, relative to the case of Joseph Hillstrom.

After a careful Perusal of it, I find that there still exists an element of doubt as to the identity of the true murderer.

This is a case of great prominence and every laboring man is watching the final outcome very closely.

There were many errors in the lower court, and also perjury existed.

The defendant refused to testify in his trial; if you wish to bestow justice on this brother, give him the opportunity to testify in a new trial.

Trusting that you will act according to the humantarian dictation of your conscience, let your justice be tempered with mercy, and grant this man a new trial.

Another legal point that is lacking is the failure to prove the motive for the deed.

Weight this matter very carefully before you decide finally, and may the good lord direct your thoughts.

With best wishes, I remain, Devoted to the betterment of Humanity, Ernest James Beutell

Boone, Ia

Oct 7-15

Hon. William Spry. Gov. of Utah. Salt Lake City Utah.

We as law abiding citizens of the United States. and believers in justice, do hereby respectivly petition you to pardon Joe Hill convicted of Murder, upon flimisy circumstantial evidence:

Judge Hilton showed this evidence to be utterly worthless when arguing his case before the Supreme Court.

and we ask you for the sake of justice to save this Man's life. Respt R H Burlingame 1536-3rd St Boone Ia H.I. Burlingame, Boone Iowa

Mineapols 10-8-15

Dear Sirs Gov Spry

I am in Fav[s?] of another Trial for Joseph Hillstrum

Your very Respct E. J. Burns

Silver Spring, Maryland, Nov. 9, 1915.

His Excellency, the Governor of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sir:

I am authorized to call to your attention a telegram which was sent to you by Montgomery County Local of the Socialist Party of Maryland on or about Oct. 12, 1915, in behalf of Joe Hillstrom, and which reads as follows:

"Montgomery County Local Socialist Party Maryland hereby most emphatically protests against proposed execution Joe Hillstrom. Irregularities in selecting jurymen, perfunctory defense by his attorneys, slight and entirely circumstantial evidence, absence criminal record or motive for this crime, trial in community inflamed against accused, enmity powerful interests owing Hillstrom's labor agitation, point to determination to convict regardless of evidence and strike through him at working class. We join defenders of labor throughout the country in demanding a new trial."

In veiw of the impending execution of Hillstrom set for Nov. 19, we take this opportunity of reiterating the substance of that telegram. That our position may not be misunderstood, it should be added that we do not presume to pass on the question of guilt involved, but do contend that the accused should not be executed before he has been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, after a trial conducted in accordance with the fundamental principles of American jurisprudence. The facts showing the unfairness of the trial are well known and are undisputed.

It is futhermore our opinion that it reflects no credit upon those in whose power the accused now is, to seek to excuse a bad state of affairs and to prove that the trail was a fair one, by bringing forward charges of other crimes at a time when the accused is powerless to refute them -- charges as to which there has been presented no legal evidence, and evidence of which, indeed, would not be legally admissable in the trial for the charge on which he was convicted.

While you may not have the authority to cause a new trial of this case to be held, you can at least nullify the effect of an unfair one, and this is what we ask of you in demanding a new trial.

Very respectfully,

Cyrus D. Backus Secretary per BHL