Amos T. Akerman to George C. Bates, 27 December 1871

Dec. 27, 1871. George C. Bates, Esq. U. S. Attorney, Salt Lake City, U. T. Sir: I have received your letter of the 14th instant on the subject of issuing warrants unnecessarily. I agree with you that it is very inexpedient that warrants should be issued or served without the approval of the District Attorney whenever it is possible to consult that officer. Yet I hardly feel at liberty to direct that Marshals shall serve no warrants without your approval, because cases might arise in which injured parties would have a right to criminal process without that preliminary. If it should be discovered that officers are pressing unneccessary​ prosecutions, an immediate recommendation would be made by this Department to the appointing power for the removal of such officers. It is particulary​ important that no officer or private person shall avail himself of the excitement now existing in your Territory to make private gains out of the process of the law. Any taint of that sort will very much discredit the administration of justice there; and, upon general considerations all care should be taken to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary costs. Very respectfully, A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.