Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-07-08
WITH BUT ONE EXCEPTION
The City Council Approve OF the
Contemplate Work Of Last
saturday.

Mayor Sharp called a special meetin:
of the City Council Monday night, which
lasted two hours and resulted simply IL
the appointment of committee to inves
tigate the half-masting of the American
/ flag on the Fourth by City Marshal
! Phillips. This committee consisted o.
Aldermen Patrick and Speirs, Councillors
Clark and Wells and City Treasurer o.
F. Whitney. An adjournment was taken
until 80 p. m. yesterday, when all the
members Of the City Council were pres
ent except Davis and Grant. The special
investigating committee presented their
report, which was read, amended in
forum, and adopted, with but one dis
senting voice, that OF Mr.. Jos. Jennings.
However, the resolutions of respect to
Marshal Phillips for his gallant action
were passed and the matter dropped.
Following is the patriotic report:
To the Honorable Manor and Members of
the city Council Of Salt Lake City:
GENTLEMEN:-Your special committee ap-
pointed to investigate the cause of the ex-
element which prevailed in Salt Lake City
on July 4, 1885, in consequence of the ma
tiOnal flag at the City Hall having been
hoisted at half-mast, and also for the rea-
sons for the placing of the flag in that posi-
ton, having duly considered the matter and
heard the statements of the City Marshal
and others in relation to the same, beg leave
to make the following report:
1t IS well known there is a deep feeling IN
the midst of this community in relation to
the raid that is being made upon the people
because of their religious belief and prac-
tees. Several of our leading citizens are
at the present time incarcerated in the peni-
Tertiary of this Territory; others have been
indicted and some, feeling confident that
they cannot receive fair treatment or justice
In the Federal Courts, have absented them
selves from their homes. There is a general
feeling of gloom prevailing, and instead of
Independence Day being, as ordinarily, day
of rejoicing; day when the people could
meet together and join in patriotic exercises,
oratlons and other expressions of delight be-
cause of the liberty they enjoy, it was felt to
be time of mourning. The City Marshal,
confident of the existence of this feeling
among the people, and without any disre-
spect to the flag, the nation or the day. con-
Guided that he would be meeting the wishes
of the people who elected him to his office by
placing the flag at the City Hall at half
mast. We learn from the Marshal that it
has ever been customary as duty to his
Office, without consultation with the Mayor
or City Council, to place the flag at such
times and In such position as occasion might
require, In accordance with this custom he
acted independently in this instance Four
years ago, on the Fourth of July, though ex-
tenslve preparations had been made for the
joyful celebration of Independence Day, the
sad news OF the shooting of President Gar
field reached this city, and the corporation
and citizens, without distinction of class.
placed the flag at half-mast, it being recog-
nlzed as day of mourning and not of re-
joicing.
In the same spirit, and with the same feel
ing, the Marshal of this city, who had taken |
this into consideration. felt that in no better |
way could the prevailing sentiment be ex- |
pressed than by displaying our country's |
lag at half-mast, signifying that, as when |
me tpeopie rejoice they rejoice under the |
lag, so also when they mourn they mourn |
lnder the flag.
Some of the citizens have expressed their
Indignation at the action of the Marshal.
Your committee, however find that the in
entlon of the Marshal was not one of dis
aspect for the flag, nor to offend the
sentiment of any citizen, however
mpolltlc his reasons may have been in the
yes OF some, ne evidently had no design to
IS he did he sought to give expression to the
ceilings and sentiments of a great ma
ority of the people. Notwithstanding these
acts the motive of the Marshal has been
and a wicked effort has been
made to cause his act to appear as one of
1sloyalty on the part of the city govern
1ent. we repudlate this willful aspersion
f his motive. AS to the action of the Mar
hal there exists a difference of opinion.
,ome believe it was proper, while Others
hlnk 1t impoiitic; but we must look to the
notives which prompted the act, and upon !
nvestlgatlon of them, we are satisfied. as
lready stated, that he intended no wrong.
nd no dlsrespect to the flag. We are aware,
hat can be assailed by certain class in
his city, however innocent that conduct
lay be, is never permitted to pass without {
eng seized upon and magnified to the dis /
dvantage of our officers. s