Let 'em Holler - A Political Biography of J. Bracken Lee

Introduction

Introduction In a vigorous defense of his fiscal conservatism as governor of Utah, J. Bracken Lee once advised, "Do it honestly, do the best you know how, and let 'em holler!" That statement accurately portrays not only Lee's unique, forceful personality but the entire philosophy of government that made him one of the few genuine mavericks in American political history. From his earliest days in politics he was charismatic, inde­pendent, supremely self-confident, and candid. As a result, he became the most colorful and controversial politician in Utah history with, probably, a greater impact on the state and the nation than any Utah figure since Brigham Young. Moreover, in his enduring career as mayor of Price for twelve years, Utah governor for eight years, mayor of Salt Lake City for twelve years, perennial candidate for governor and senator, frequently mentioned candidate for president or vice-president, and forceful spokesman for conservatism, his impact was felt longer and was more effective than that of any other Utah politician. He was one of the few Utah governors to be nationally known, especially for his fiscal conservatism and his vociferous opposition to income tax, foreign aid, and the United Nations. His candor and gift for self-expression are immediately reminis­cent of Harry S Truman, although because of his opposing political philosophy Lee would never accept such a comparison. Due to a penchant for invective and personal confrontation, Lee probably made more enemies than any other Utah politician; and some Utahns grew embarrassed and uncomfortable with his national reputation. Although his record as mayor of Price was in some ways laudable, it was also morally questionable to the typically relig­ious Utah voter. But as governor, he gained immediate respecta- 1 INTRODUCTION bility for his emphasis on integrity and economy. His principal target for economy was education, however, and he soon made an enemy of almost every educator in the state (a fact that would haunt his political career). On balance, his healthy relationship with the Mormon church probably saved him from the educators' wrath. When, toward the end of his second term, his candor turned in the direction of the national administration, in the person of the popular Dwight D. Eisenhower, his political career suffered. With church leaders, educators, and politicians of his own party firmly opposed to him, his third-term hopes were dashed. Yet, as an independent for governor in 1956 and for sen­ator in 1958, he exercised startling influence over Utah politics. Lee proved his resiliency by his three-time election as mayor of Utah's largest city, retaining an almost uncanny popularity with voters until his retirement in 1972. Finally, as an ex-mayor in his seventies, he demonstrated a continuing ability to influence the election or defeat of other politicians. Undoubtedly, he remained a respected, though controversial, figure because he seemed always to retain "the courage of his convictions." J. Bracken Lee was born in Price, Utah, on January 7, 1899. His grandfather, Edwin C. Lee, came to Utah as a Mormon convert from England in 1855, and all of Edwin's sons were active in the church except Arthur, J. Bracken Lee's father. Lee's maternal ancestors were also Mormon converts who arrived in Utah in 1849. When Lee's great-grandmother rejected her husband's plural marriage, she was kept in Utah by the per­sonal intervention of Brigham Young (or so Lee claimed). She accordingly raised Lee's grandmother outside the church. Lee's grandmother told him that her "own father patted her on the head at the age of ten and asked her whose little girl she was." She naturally reared Lee's mother outside the church. The Arthur Lees raised six children, three boys and three girls, with Bracken being the oldest boy and the second oldest of the family. His father died in 1934, but his mother, Ida May Leiter Lee, lived on enthusiastically as one of Utah's oldest citi­zens until her death in 1980. INTRODUCTION The Lee family moved to Fruita, Colorado, when Bracken was five years old. He attended school there, completing the eighth grade before the family returned to Price. His father entered politics, first as mayor of Fruita and finally as town board president in Price. Bracken attended Carbon County High School but did not graduate; instead, he enlisted in the army when World War I broke out in April 1917, two months prior to graduation. He served until March 1919, emerging with the rank of sergeant. After the service he worked for several months as a postal clerk before joining his father in the insurance and real estate business, eventually becoming manager and owner of the agency. In 1920 Lee married a Mormon girl, Nellie Pace, and they became the parents of a daughter, Helen. After two years of marriage his wife became seriously ill with pneumonia, then sub­sequently developed Hodgkin's disease, which took her life four years later. To cope with the hospital bills, Lee built a garage behind his house and lived in it as cheaply as he could on a hamburger and a quart of milk a day while he rented out the house. Laying the groundwork for his political philosophy, he paid off his bills in two years and vowed that he would never go into debt again. In 1927 he met Margaret Draper from Wellington, Utah, and they were married in Price the following year. They became the parents of three children, a daughter, Jon, and sons James and Richard. Lee's wife, Margaret, is an active Mormon but, according to Lee, has never tried to convert him. On the other hand, daughter Jon, whom Lee calls a "devout Mormon," tried very hard to convert him. "I told her, 'now you believe your religion but you leave me alone!' And she has never talked to me about it since." As Lee's insurance business prospered, he had time to devote to outside interests, becoming a registered Republican, a 32nd degree Mason, an Elk, and a Legionnaire. By 1931 he had become so involved in the politics of Price that he ran for mayor but was swamped. After sitting out the 1933 election he was J . BRACKEN LEE ready to try again in 1935, and this time won by two votes. Lee's fascinating political career had begun.