The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-01-23
Attorney Hall Did Not Give the
Tribune an Interview.
HE WAS MISREPRESENTED
HAS NOT ANNOUNCED OR
REACHED ANY OPINION.
Neither Is There a Growing Sentiment
That MI. Pratt "Should Resume
the Duties of Chieftaincy"-The
Weight of Legal Opinion On the
Subject.

Either from choice or because its re-
porter had been victimized, the Tribune
yesterday announced under faring
headlines that City Attorney Halls
generally understood opinion as to the
continuance of the police department
without a break. irrespective of the
Dale ordinance. causes people to ar
que that Chief Pratt should assume the
work of his Office"
The published article threw out the
broad and distinct insinuation that City
Attorney Hail is generally known to
hold the opinion that the Dale ordi-
nance abolishing the office of chief of
police, pending the reorganization of
the department on a legal and prac-
teal basis, is invalid. n that, there
fore, Mr.. Pratt is still in reality chief
and entitled to reassume his office with
out further proceedings.
The following is a fitting conclusion
to the whole: There is a growing sem
timent, even mons those heretofore
opposed to Pratt. that he should be
doing something for the money he will
draw from the city. The opinion OBJ
tains that he should reassume the du-
ties of the chieftaincy, pending the ac-
ton of the council on his appointment.
This talk has given rise to gossip that
he intends to do so. Neither Mayor
Clark nor Chief Pratt will tell what
course he will pursue. Mr.. Pratt will
be guided solely by the advice of the
mayor in the matter, it is understood,
however, and will await the action of
the council"
THE COUNCIL WILL SETTLE IT.
The last sentence is the only signif-
cant and accurate statement i'll the en-
tire article. Unquestionably the coun-
ell will on Tuesday evening adopt the
report of the committee which has had
under consideration the Pratt appoint
ment. This report unanimously recon-
mends the return to the mayor of his
anne with a request to substitute the
name of a less Objectionable nominee.
The councils action, which a certain
element fear 80 much, will certainly
settle Mr.. Pratt's aspirations 10 become
chief Of police by appointment duly
confirmed.
THE CITY ATTORNEY MISREPRE-
SENTED.
Like a drowning man grasping at a
straw, Mr.. Pratt's organ invented a
legal opinion which it credits to City
Attorney Hall. But the city attorney
emphatically denies any responsibility
in b matter. A Herald reporter in
terviewed the city attorney last even
ing and in reply to questions Mr.. Hall
said: Il have given no opinion to any
one on the validity of the Dale ordin-
ance. nor the question as to Mr.. Pratt's
right to reaSSume his position as chief
of police. In fact l have not yet looked
into the subject sufficiently to form a
conclusion in my own mind. I have
not expressed myself TO any one in a
n that would warrant even an
inference as to what my opinion would
be. A Tribune reporter solicited an
interview with me on this matter Fri
day evening, but 1 excused myself and
declined 20 talk to him."
PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
The Tribune having misrepresented
City Attorney Hall, it is clear that
its way was easy to misstate public
opinion in Mr.. Pratt's behalf. Per-
sistent inquiry yesterday on the street.
in public haunts and among the legal
fraternity failed to demonstrate that
there is "a growing sentiment" in
favor OF permitting Mr.. Pratt, in the
face of his rejection by the confirming
power and by public opinion, to be
come chief by virtue of an imaginary
legal technicality desired to operate in
his favor. On the contrary, Mr.. Pratt'S
personal friends and his adherents.
are practically the only ones who de-
clare the futile warfare is ended and
that he should go back" This class
constitutes an immense minority of the
community.
NO COLOR OF TITLE.
The great weight of legal authority
adheres 10 the belief that Mr.. Pratt
has not even a color of title to the
Office and will not have, unless the
mountains move and his appointment
is confirmed.