The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-22

The board of police and fire COM
missioners. after holding many execu-
tive sessions in the matter of the Dom
ovan case, have, it is understood at
last arrived at a conclusion. 1t has
been understood all along, and The
Herald has been informed OF the fact,
that very strong outside pressure was
beng brought upon certain members
CT a certain member of the commission
to obtain a decision unfavorable to
Captain Donovan. The Herald so far
has RETAINED from doing more than
limiting such was the case, in the full
belief that the members of the board
had a sufficient sense of fairness and
justice with the requisite degree of
stamina to decide the case on its 1aer-
its and according to the evidence, with
out being Influenced by any outside
parties.
Came Via the Tribune.
On the night of the day after the
hearing it was stated on the authority
that would be considered good that a
ESiority Of the board had practically
NAsheo a conclusion in the case, decid-
Ing to reinstate Captain Donovan. On
the same authority it was stated that
the members of the board stood as fol-
lows: Mr.. Jennings for dismissal, Mr..
Noble and Mr.. Empey for reinstate-
ment and Mr.. Stephens for reinstate-
ment with a fine. This tip. it was
stated, came very straight, and that
1t was correct subsequent events have
in a good measure indicated.
This disposition OF the case, however,
lsr4- Ell 80
Pratt and his closest supporters. The
outsiders knew that 30 amount of
pressure could influence Mr.. Noble
from the strict line of duty. and Mr.
Stephens proved, after a trial not to
be a very good subject for mesmer-
ISM, so Mr. Empey was the chief sub
ject 10 he operated on.
The Chief Threatened to Resign.
Chief Pratt threatened to resign if
Donovan was reinstated. The result
ofA such horrible calamity
W. pictured in all its grimness and
the Tribune had an editorial which was
taken as an official announcement that
the chief and the captain could not
both remain in the department, thus
WAS an imaginary condition created.
To lose Pratt would be awful, but it
would be wrong to sacrifice Donovan
and brand him with undeserved dis
honor if he was innocent The we'll
meaning commissioner. who always
aims to do right, who feels his re-
sponsibility and whose kindness Of
heart is powerful. was in a quandary.
Executive sessions were held from day
to day. MIR. Jennings and Mr.. Lannan
were in frequent consultation and it
IS said that O. J. Salisbury was called
fn and threw his influence against
Donovan. The result was that Empey
was overcome and 1t is an open secret
that she board after its adjournment
yesterday stood: Jennings and Empy
fok dismissal, Stephens for reinstate-
,nSn with a fine or suspension until
January L 1t takes three members to
dismiss and as Jennings and Empy
could do no better they consented to
the temporary suspension and Mr.. No
BILE dissented altogether.
- Mr.. Noble Confirms 1t.
&c Herald. in order 50 thoroughly
verify and place beyond a doubt the
fact that external influence had been
used to obtain the decision arrived at.
sent reporter to interview Mr.. Noble.
That gentleman was seen coming out
of the Grand Opera house after the
performance last evening. The re-
porter requested the favor of d short
interview.
about the board?'' said M Noble
.Yes." replied the reporter.
We'll" said Mr.. Noble. 81 don't
know that I ought to say anything
about it. The proceedings of the
board are supposed to be secret"
az have been informed said the re-
porter. that influence was brought to
bear on certain members of the board
by Mn Lannan and Mr.. Salisbury, is
that correct"
'Ir. Empy changed his mind said
Mr. Noble.
Are you satisfied in your own mind
that the change was brought about by
the influence of those two gentlemen?"
uueried the reporter
Yes" said Mr.. Noble.
HAS the board arrived at a de-
cision?"
Yes; I expect it win be given out
tomorrow
May Be Reviewed.
II would thus appear, if all these
statements are correct, that the FAM
Gus case has been decided, not on it's
merits and not on the evidence, but on
a question of expediency and perhaps
to please, as far as possible, q. certain
clique and that Donovan is to be sac
rificed TO crafty them.
It has been said that a decision ar
rived at in the way that it is claimed
to have been arrived at is invalid, and
that the whole proceedings are SUBJ
3ect to review by the district court.
sTILLMAN-RoCKEFE
NEW YORK, Nov. 21.-Miss Elsie
= 49, 80