J. Bracken Lee
Encyclopedia
Joseph Bracken Lee was a political figure in the state of Utah
, United States
. A Republican
, he served two terms as the ninth Governor of Utah (1949–1957), six two-year terms as mayor
of Price, Utah
(1935–1947), and three terms as the 27th mayor of Salt Lake City
(1960–1971).
, Lee is the most recent Governor of Utah who was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
, on January 7, 1899 to Arthur J. Lee (died 1934) and Ida Mae (Leiter) Lee (1874–1980). When he was five the family moved to Fruita
, Colorado
where they remained until he was in the eighth grade. The family then returned to Price.
During World War I
, Lee served in the U.S. Army
, lying about his age and passing up his high school graduation in order to enlist. During training in California, the Army kept him there as a trainer for the soldiers going to Europe, believing that he had the excellent people skills needed for this job. This was a decision that Lee initially regretted, as he wished to serve in combat. After the war, he joined his father in the insurance business in Price prior to going into politics.
In 1920 Lee married Nellie Pace with whom he had a daughter, Helen (Nelson) (died 2005). Two years later Nellie became seriously ill, with pneumonia
, and then with Hodgkin's disease, of which she died in 1926. The medical expenses from her illness placed Lee in considerable debt. Until the debts were paid, Lee moved into his own garage and rented out his house. Another way he tried to save money was by eating only one hamburger and drinking a quart of milk a day. During this time, his daughter went to live with a grandmother. This experience led to him forming his fiscal conservative views, as he vowed he'd never go into debt again.
On February 23, 1928, he married Margaret Draper (1909–1989) of Wellington, Utah
. They had three children, a son, James (born 1930), a daughter, Jon (Taylor) (born 1935), and a son, Richard (born 1944). Margaret fueled Lee's political ambition and had a remarkable memory for names. They were married for over 60 years, until Margaret’s death in 1989.
. With hefty cuts in spending, he was able to run surpluses in all of his administrations. As governor, he trimmed both spending and bureaucracy by cutting the number of departments and commissioners. He particularly angered the teachers' union for his cuts in higher education. In addition to his fierce opposition to the income tax, he opposed foreign aid and the United Nations
. He enjoyed political success despite the fact that he was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon
s). Although he did not shy from criticism of the church, he was careful to maintain good diplomacy with its leadership.
For a time Lee became involved in ultra-right-wing groups who advocated the formation of a "conservative" third party because of the increasing liberalism of both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Lee lost his first political campaign for mayor of Price in 1931. He returned in 1935 to win by just two votes, enjoying reelection another 5 times there. He lost two runs for governor in the 1940s before a successful bid in the fall of 1948. In 1956, he lost the Republican
primary, which caused him to run a strong but unsuccessful race as an independent. He ran unsuccessfully for the Senate
in both 1958 and 1962, and again for governor in 1964, though he was defeated in the Republican state convention. Under the Utah political system at the time, if no candidate running for statewide office or House of Representatives gets 80% of the delegate votes at the convention, a primary is held between the top two candidates. Lee came in third at the convention which eliminated his candidacy.
had served as Salt Lake City, Utah
, police chief for four years before being fired. Salt Lake City had a weak-mayor system The mayor was a member of the five member commission. In 1960 Lee offered a motion to fire Skousen and the majority of the commission voted yes. This happened shortly after Skousen raided an illegal poker club, where J. Bracken Lee was in attendance. Lee characterized Skousen's strict enforcement of anti-gambling laws as "like a Gestapo
."
Lee's biographer, Dennis Lythgoe, regards his greatest contribution his terms as mayor of Salt Lake City, where he brought fiscal responsibility and capital improvements to the city. With age having moderated his temper somewhat; he was more effective in office while remaining true to his principles.
Lee was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, particularly enjoying the high desert in eastern Utah
near his native Price. He played semi-professional baseball
as a young man, playing shortstop. He was also an extraordinary handiman, with skills in jewelry making and painting. He was a member of the Freemasons; Shriners
, and the Elks
.
Lee's legacy as governor is often varied. While many point to his temper, opinionated personality, and battles with educators as problems, he is also generally praised for his fiscal responsibility, and for the fact that Utah enjoyed a prosperous economy during his administration. Throughout his entire tenure, the state had a surplus rather than debt.
Lee was often compared to President Harry S Truman. Though the two had differing political viewpoints and were members of opposite parties, their personalities were very similar. Both were equally folksy, opinionated, and bluntly honest, and both were of smaller build and wore glasses. With the two in office at the same time from 1949–1953, it was easy for many to compare the two.
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, he served two terms as the ninth Governor of Utah (1949–1957), six two-year terms as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Price, Utah
Price, Utah
Price is a city in Carbon County, Utah, United States. The city is home to the USU-College of Eastern Utah, as well as the large USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum affiliated with the college. Price is located within short distances from both Nine Mile Canyon and the Manti-La Sal National Forest...
(1935–1947), and three terms as the 27th mayor of Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
(1960–1971).
, Lee is the most recent Governor of Utah who was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Early years and military service
Lee was born in Price, UtahPrice, Utah
Price is a city in Carbon County, Utah, United States. The city is home to the USU-College of Eastern Utah, as well as the large USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum affiliated with the college. Price is located within short distances from both Nine Mile Canyon and the Manti-La Sal National Forest...
, on January 7, 1899 to Arthur J. Lee (died 1934) and Ida Mae (Leiter) Lee (1874–1980). When he was five the family moved to Fruita
Fruita, Colorado
The City of Fruita is a Home Rule Municipality located in the western part of Mesa County, Colorado, in the United States. It is part of the Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Area and within the Grand Valley...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
where they remained until he was in the eighth grade. The family then returned to Price.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Lee served in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, lying about his age and passing up his high school graduation in order to enlist. During training in California, the Army kept him there as a trainer for the soldiers going to Europe, believing that he had the excellent people skills needed for this job. This was a decision that Lee initially regretted, as he wished to serve in combat. After the war, he joined his father in the insurance business in Price prior to going into politics.
In 1920 Lee married Nellie Pace with whom he had a daughter, Helen (Nelson) (died 2005). Two years later Nellie became seriously ill, with pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, and then with Hodgkin's disease, of which she died in 1926. The medical expenses from her illness placed Lee in considerable debt. Until the debts were paid, Lee moved into his own garage and rented out his house. Another way he tried to save money was by eating only one hamburger and drinking a quart of milk a day. During this time, his daughter went to live with a grandmother. This experience led to him forming his fiscal conservative views, as he vowed he'd never go into debt again.
On February 23, 1928, he married Margaret Draper (1909–1989) of Wellington, Utah
Wellington, Utah
Wellington is a city in Carbon County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,666 at the 2000 census. The community was settled in 1878 by a band of thirteen Mormons led by Jefferson Tidwell. The town was named for Justus Wellington Seeley, Jr., of the Emery County Court...
. They had three children, a son, James (born 1930), a daughter, Jon (Taylor) (born 1935), and a son, Richard (born 1944). Margaret fueled Lee's political ambition and had a remarkable memory for names. They were married for over 60 years, until Margaret’s death in 1989.
Conservative and anti-income tax
Lee was fiscally conservative and a deep opponent of the income taxIncome tax
An income tax is a tax levied on the income of individuals or businesses . Various income tax systems exist, with varying degrees of tax incidence. Income taxation can be progressive, proportional, or regressive. When the tax is levied on the income of companies, it is often called a corporate...
. With hefty cuts in spending, he was able to run surpluses in all of his administrations. As governor, he trimmed both spending and bureaucracy by cutting the number of departments and commissioners. He particularly angered the teachers' union for his cuts in higher education. In addition to his fierce opposition to the income tax, he opposed foreign aid and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. He enjoyed political success despite the fact that he was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
s). Although he did not shy from criticism of the church, he was careful to maintain good diplomacy with its leadership.
For a time Lee became involved in ultra-right-wing groups who advocated the formation of a "conservative" third party because of the increasing liberalism of both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Lee lost his first political campaign for mayor of Price in 1931. He returned in 1935 to win by just two votes, enjoying reelection another 5 times there. He lost two runs for governor in the 1940s before a successful bid in the fall of 1948. In 1956, he lost the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary, which caused him to run a strong but unsuccessful race as an independent. He ran unsuccessfully for the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in both 1958 and 1962, and again for governor in 1964, though he was defeated in the Republican state convention. Under the Utah political system at the time, if no candidate running for statewide office or House of Representatives gets 80% of the delegate votes at the convention, a primary is held between the top two candidates. Lee came in third at the convention which eliminated his candidacy.
Controversial firing of Police Chief Cleon Skousen
Cleon SkousenCleon Skousen
Willard Cleon Skousen was an American author, conservative American Constitutionalist and faith-based political theorist. He was also a prolific popularizer among Latter-day Saints of their theology...
had served as Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, police chief for four years before being fired. Salt Lake City had a weak-mayor system The mayor was a member of the five member commission. In 1960 Lee offered a motion to fire Skousen and the majority of the commission voted yes. This happened shortly after Skousen raided an illegal poker club, where J. Bracken Lee was in attendance. Lee characterized Skousen's strict enforcement of anti-gambling laws as "like a Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
."
Lee's legacy
Lee died in Salt Lake City on October 20, 1996, and is interred there in a family plot at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. At 97 years and 215 days old, he lived longer than any other Utah Governor.Lee's biographer, Dennis Lythgoe, regards his greatest contribution his terms as mayor of Salt Lake City, where he brought fiscal responsibility and capital improvements to the city. With age having moderated his temper somewhat; he was more effective in office while remaining true to his principles.
Lee was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, particularly enjoying the high desert in eastern Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
near his native Price. He played semi-professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
as a young man, playing shortstop. He was also an extraordinary handiman, with skills in jewelry making and painting. He was a member of the Freemasons; Shriners
Shriners
The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States...
, and the Elks
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
.
Lee's legacy as governor is often varied. While many point to his temper, opinionated personality, and battles with educators as problems, he is also generally praised for his fiscal responsibility, and for the fact that Utah enjoyed a prosperous economy during his administration. Throughout his entire tenure, the state had a surplus rather than debt.
Lee was often compared to President Harry S Truman. Though the two had differing political viewpoints and were members of opposite parties, their personalities were very similar. Both were equally folksy, opinionated, and bluntly honest, and both were of smaller build and wore glasses. With the two in office at the same time from 1949–1953, it was easy for many to compare the two.
See also
- Old Right (United States)Old Right (United States)The Old Right was a conservative faction in the United States that opposed both New Deal domestic programs and U.S. entry into World War II. Many members of this faction were associated with the Republicans of the interwar years led by Robert Taft, but some were Democrats...
- Criticism of the United NationsCriticism of the United NationsCriticism of the United Nations has been ideologically diverse, although much of it is focused on the UN's purported inability to handle international conflicts, even on a small scale...