The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-11-28
FRIDAYS TRAGEDY.

NOW the decentralization which has so long
prevailed in the police department has re-
suited in an awful tragedy. The captain
aes been shot down by one Of his subor-
inmates, who, IL would seem from the best
'eports ootainable, was obliged to slay his
superior In order TO save his own life. Be
inns Us II may, the killing was the direct
aNu almost necessary result of the terrible
ooHuition OF things which has existed in
'ue department for the past eighteen
-Nohths. 1t is matter for surprise that the
Su4lhinauon has been delayed SO long
mere has been neither order nor system in
the department. The force has
been made up largely of those
seiscteu not for their qualifications
oot because of their activity in politics or
because their friends had ''pullsn on some
oody. The decent portion of tue public
was insulted when the victim of yester-
nay > shooting was given a star, and when
ne was promoted TO the captaincy people
were indignant. Just what was the nature
u the 'pull' which he had remains for
those who gave him the place to explain.
mat he was totally unit for the Office was
soon apparent for the decentralization
which had been manifest in q certain de-
gree became complete with his elevation.
Alter a time more than two thirds of the
entire force signed a complaint against
AIM lodging it with the council,
from which body they asked
redress and protection. 1t is under
stood that the allegations were more
Than sustained, yet influential members of
tue council and municipal officials were
able Tor week after week to stave off tho
censure which the case demanded. Finally
the council did act, but to little effect mas
much as the unworthy official continued to
act and grew more and more overbearing
ana abusive towards the patrolmen. The
uemoraiizetion was increased, and to day
the police force of Salt Lake city is gener-
ally regarded as standing in the way of
the enforcement of the ordinances
rather than as terror To evil-doers
ana protection to the peace-loving and
iaw-abidlng. This depiorable condition
must not be charged against the men so
much as against their superiors. The
lealousies, the chickering's, the efforts of
rlors to find excuses for discharging infe-
rlots-all these things are common street
talk and Of everyday newspaper comment.
And still the trouble goes on, the public
being the sufferer. 1t is to be hoped that
yesterdays tragedy will be the last grow
Ing out OF the Generalization prevailing,
but there will be no great surprise if others
follow, unless there shall be prompt
reorganization Of the force and competent
men be placed in control and equally trust
worthy given the star.
And right here we want to say to the
mayor that the people Of Salt Lake look to
him to al once bring about reorganization
OF the police department. The people de-
mand OF him that as the chief executive
officer of this city he will assert himself to
overcome the awful decentralization which
is giving to the town a reputation
that causes every decent citizen to
blush with shame when he thinks
OF it If the mayor will he
can change all this and ia the brief weeks
which remain of his Official lie he can
wipe out some of the stigma which has
come upon Salt Lake under his administra-
ton. He is the head of the government
and is endowed with all the authority and
power required to bring about the reform
that Is necessary, and whilst it is probably
true that some members of the council
would not change matters, it is believed
that the majority of the municipal legisla-
ture would he only too glad to hold up the
hands of the mayor in all his reformatory
efforts. 1t is not time for supineness.
1t is not time for weakness in high office.
The occasion is one which demands prompt,
courageous and effective action. The man
at the head must be chief in something
more than title, or this fair city will speed
lily degenerate from even the low estate it
has already reached.