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Socialist Headquarters Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept. 15, 1915. Honorable William Spry, and the Utah State Board of Pardons. Resolved that, Your petitioners, Salt Lake Local, Socialist Party of Utah, respectfully ask you to extend full clemenst to one Joseph Hillstrom, under sentence of death, for the following reasons: First--As members of the Socialist Party of America, we oppose the infliction of the death penalty as a barbarous legal crime. That the infliction of the extreme penalty does not expiatate another previous crime, and is not subservient of public welfare. That it is not a preventive of crime since it does not strike at the root of our so-called crime problems, ninety per cent of which are the result of our unjust economic system. Second--That the evidence adduced by the state is wholly circumstantial, and insufficient to deprive this man of his life or liberty. Third--That local prejudice against Joseph Hillstrom on account of him being a stranger and a member of an unpopular and misunderstood organization, did prejudice his rights, and could not give him his full rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Utah. For justice and humanity, we ask your earnest consideration. Passed unanimously, September 14, 1915. For the Socialist party, A. E. McNaughton Recoming Secretary.
Alfred Sorenson Chairman
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International Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
At the regular meeting of divisions 222 and 713, held at Salt Lake City, Utah, on the 9th, day of November 1915, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.
Resolutions.
Whereas,
On account of the great and unusual interest manifested in behalf of one now under sentence of death in this state, and on account of wrong and misleading statements concerning the attitude of members of organized labor unions, and,
Whereas,
The members of the brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers desire to be placed in true light, therefore be it resolved.
That members of divisions 222 and 713, while recognizing and favoring the right of peacefull petition, place themselves on record as disapproving of, and as unalterably apposed to all forms of lawlessness, whether threats, or acts of violence, or intimidations whatsoever, and stand today as we have ever stood, unwaveringly in favor of law and order. And be it further resolved.
That the members of the aforesaid organization, pledge their loyal support to the governor and state officials of Utah, in the full discharge of their lawfull duties and in the strict inforcement of all state laws. And be it further resolved.
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That the greatest possible publicity be given these resolutions. And be it further received. That these resolutions be placed on the minutes of divisions 222 and 713 and a copy forwarded is the Governor of the State of Utah
P. Sorenson For Div. 222 J G Bywater For Div. 713
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PETITION Hon Wm. Spry Governor of Utah.
This appeal is directed to the Board of Pardons in behalf of Joseph Hillstrom a member of the Industrial Workers of the World under sentence of death in the Utah Penitentiary. We have read and heard something of the case: 1st. We do not believe Joseph Hillstrom guilty of the crime for which he has been convicted. 2nd. We do not believe that he had a fair trial. 3rd. We have learned that the jurors were not selected in the usual way. 4th. The defendant was practically without council when he was on trial for his life. 5th. No motive was shown for the crime of which he was convicted. 6th. The conviction was found upon the flimsiest kind of circumstantial evidence. Believing these to be the facts we the undersigned demand that the death sentence in the case of Joseph Hillstrom be set aside and clemency extended.
Name Address
AJ Simpson 768 E 2nd So. Peter Nololen Elk Flatile C. Birk Rex Hatch. G. Hagimam 131 So. 2. W. Emil Koch 850 Wilmington Ave. Thos. No. Gilligan. 115 East 1st South. Ed Locek 321 S. 3 East Otto Carl 15. [Heartensen?] Court Max Schmidt 15 Mortensen Court Anton [Pomly?] 842. Feyettestrett [Fgs.?] Biddle 115 E. 1st So. C Ross 115 E 1 South
