Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-07-06
TRAILING THE FLAG.
The Stars and Stripes Disgraced on
the GlOri0us Fourth.
Another "DeclaratiOn of lndepend-
ence" from the Leaders OF the
Peoples Party.
But No Insult Is MEANTIME are
"MOurning for Liberty

demonstrations. AT 8 O'Clock the stars
and stripes were observed to be dropping
at half-mast from the City Hall, the Co
op., President Taylor's residence, Salt
Lake Theatre, County Court House and
Deseret News Office. Knots of citizens
soon gathered on the streets to learn the
real cause of such proceeding, and
a DEMOCRAT reporter telephoned to
the City Hall and inquired
the reason for SO singular display of the
flag on such an occasion, but nothing
could be learned. The excitement grew
warmer, and committee OF citizens
composed of Marshal Ireland, Major
Wilkes, Captain Evans and G. L. Haines
proceeded to the City Hall to learn why
the flag was placed at half mast on the
Fourth day of general rejoicing. In a
few minutes City Marshal Phillips, Con-
stable Crow and several of the policemen
entered the Marshal's office, and Major
Wilkes, as speaker of the committee,
asked OF Marshal Phillips the reason why
the flag was at half mast. Mr.. Phillips
replied that
THERE WAS NO REASON
Save a within OF his Major Wilkes asked
if he did not think it bad within to have
his country's flag at half mast when the
day is treated by fifty millions of Ameri-
can citizens as day of joy? He did, and
as loyal Americans they demanded that
the flag be raised to the masthead, or
taken down. Phillips said that it should
not be taken down, as it belonged to the
City Hall, and he would do as he pleased
with it. Charley Grow said the flag
should remain where it was, and then
Captain Evans rolled up his sleeves,
and said he would just raise it himself
He started to do so, when the door was
bolted and closed by one of the officers.
Grow raised his club and felt for revol
yer, and prospects of fight seemed near
at hand. After much talk and
MANY THREATS OF SHOOTING
On the part of Grow, who refused to keep
quiet, a committee was designated to
wait upon the Mayor concerning the
matter. Mr.. Fred Culmer and his broth
er William now came up, and the latter
became involved in wrangle with Grow,
who dared Mr.. Culmer to touch the flag.
The crowd had now grown larger and
more excited with Indignation. Marshal
Ireland at last gained Marshal Phillips
promise to pull down the flag or raise it
to the masthead, and he and most of his
friends then went up the street Phillips
soon overlook him in his buggy, and said
he could not interfere with the flag until
he had seen Mayor Sharp, which he did,
and
THE FLAG WAS LOWERED
In few minutes afterward.
Sheriff Groesbeck was asked to raise
flag on the County Court house, and did
so within few minutes following. After
the City Hall difficulty, committee COM
prising q. f. and William Culmer, Phil
Ripple, Martin Bernhisel, Robert Null
hall and ]. M. Young under the leadership
of DIR. j. NJ. Benedict as chairman, went
to Lindsay's Gardens, where the Grand
Army fraternity were spending the day,
and made known the situation of affairs
in the city. Speeches were made by DIR.
Benedict, j. M. Young, Col. Sells and
Rev. Thrall, denouncing the treatment of
the flag and proposing to maintain its re-
spect. Colonel Sells introduced resolu-
tons denouncing the apparent insult to
the flag, and asking the matter be looked
into at once and the flag be put at the
top of the mast from all public buildings.
The Governor informed General Nc
Cook at Camp Douglas of the situation,
and the news spread rapidly about the
city that trouble was likely to ensue
After some discussion the committee at
the Walker House resolved that the citi-
zens 60 in body to the City Hall and
hoist the flag, and then to the other
places and request that the flags be float
ed at topmast, which, if denied, should be
the signal to the crowd to
PUT THEM UP BY FORCE.
This was moderated by Governor Muir
ray, who suggested that committee
wait on the Mayor and demand that he
order the flag hoisted at the City Hall,
and that he use his influence in raising
those on the Coop, Tabernacle, Gardo
House, Church Office, Deseret News and
Tithing Office. The committe, headed
by DIR. Benedict, started on their errand.
On reaching the Mayor, DIR. Benedict
was for carrying out the directions of the
meeting by demanding that the flag be
'aised, while the balance were in favor
If making it request. 1t was in conse-
Iuence of this that DIR. Benedict bolted
he committee, although the Tribune did
not so state it.
A DEMOCRAT reporter called on Mayor
Sharp, City Marshal Phillips and others
his morning to learn the real purpose of |
,lacing the flag at half mast on the {
Fourth.
MAYOR sHARP'S STATEMENT.
On meeting Mayor Sharp he was asked |
placing the flags at half mast on a half !
Iozen public buildings was not precon-
erted. He replied: "The city govern
nent knew nothing of it,
'On whose authority was the flag
'laced at half mast on the City Hall?"
by Marshal Phillips own volition. | |
ave seen five of the City Councilmen,
nd none OF them knew anything about
he matter until it was done At half
lst 10 O'Clock Saturday morning my at
ention was first directed to the situation,
nd then, as now, expressed my sor-
ow at such mistake and it was ordered !
mt up"
PHILLIPS WILL TAKE THE BLAME
Marshal Phillips stated that he knew
othing about any other flags, although
e had told Nh. Burt the night before to
ut the flag on the City Hall at half mast
What reason have you to assign for
D doing?"
Whatever was done in the matter |
m solely responsible for. l had no in
ention to hurt the feelings of anyone,
or show disrespect to the flag or the
0untry."
"Was it simply whim?"
Not exactly. | thought we had nothing
rejoice over, since our best men are
Imprisoned or out of the country because
icy can not get an impartial or fair trial.
told Marshal Ireland that would take
down, but did not promise to put it up.
had seen Mayor Sharp before the diff
lily took place"
Ibid Charley Crow month your santi-