Dear Brother: I have made careful enquiry
concerning the settlement with Brother Lot Smith by the
committee. I have been informed that you are the
Chairman of the committee. It has been reported to
me that twice the settlement with Lot that the sub
committee are not satisfied and want to settle over
again. I do not know how this is, but I think one
settlement with him ought to be sufficient. I Fear
also that the committee require him to vent his brand
on his stock. This is very wrong inasmuch as he
has the body of the herd, while brothers who only have a
few head the brand could be vented on theirs. I have
also been informed that the committee would not let
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have the brand that his stock are branded with.
He ought to have that, I think it is due him. He might
pay if the committee consider it necessary, but
he certainly ought to have it. I myself, do not think
that any man that went into that order and left it
took any less stock or property than what he put in,
and I think, generally, more. Whatever increase
of property there was in that order I am satisfied
that Lot Smith was the main instrument in
making it. I was with him two years and I am
satisfied he doid more work than any two men
in the order. He cut every acre of Wheat and
Lucerne. He was at the head of all the water ditches
and led in all the hard work. There has been a
good deal of prejudice against him for years past.
He went there by order of President Young and has
tried to carry out his counsel in all respects on that
work. I think that a man, that has gone through
what he has from this youth up for the Church and
Kingdom of God, ought not to be crushed injustly.
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If the committee have settled with him, they
ought to let it rest. If they have not settled with
him they ought to do so upon just principles.
I realize he has imperfections, and some he
ought to get rid of, as well as the rest of us. I wish
you would write to me and tell me if the
committee have settled with him. If not, what
is yet to be done?
My health is good, all is peace and
quietude with us as far as the times will
admit.