The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-07-01

Republicans Wrangle Over Two
Democratic Firemen.
TALK FROM DEvINE
WANTS NO POLITICS MIXED UP
IN HIS DEPARTMENT.

about The long table in Mayor Thomp-
sons Office and talked for more than
an hour upon the necessity of putting
only Republicans in the fire department.
The meeting was in reality called to
castigate the chief OF the fire depart
ment, but the gentlemen tanned down.
They did not do anything very severe.
Chief Devine told them some things
straight from the shoulder, and they
did not have the nerve to take radical
action.
In order that the newspapers might
not learn about the caucus, it was call
ed to meet at $50 p. m, a time
when most men are usually at din
ner. The municipal statesmen who call
these caucuses feel so guilty about their
mysterious meet lSs that they seem to
be ashamed to have the public know
of them.
The city committee, which is COM
posed of a lot of gentlemen who think
that the offices in Salt Lake were ere
ated for the especial benefit of the Re-
publican party, are angry at Chief De-
vine. because in naming nine men for
places in the fire department to do the
work necessitated by the new fire sta
tiOn on 1 street. he put in two Demo
Gratis, Andrew Eikrem and George
Pugsley.
Politicians Were Riled.
That riled the politicians and they
have been trying to hold caucuses for
several weeks to consider the action of
the fire chief. First the councilmen did
not come. and then the committeeman
did not come, until 1t seemed that he
endeavOr was hopeless. But last night
seven committeeman and nine council
men managed to be on hand. The COM
mittee did an unusual thing in also
inviting Chief Devine, probably for the
purpose of hearing bad things said
about himself.
The caucus was called to order by
Councilman Robertson in the absence Of
Chairman EichnOr, who was taken sick
yesterday afternoon. There were, be-
sides him, Councilmen Buckle, Beatty,
Canning, Cottreil WhittemOre Hewlett
and Gemmell. Mr.. Gemmell could only
wait a short time. so that he did not
get q chance to make a speech. All
the members of the city committee ex-
cepting Arthur Pratt and Jody Ed
redge were present
Business of the Caucus.
Robertson announced the purpose Of
the meeting as being to see how the
cOuncilmen and the city committee
stood on the question of the Democrats
whom the chief OF the fire departr- ent
had named for places in the depart
ment. He said that all places should
be filled. by Republicans where there
were Republicans of equal efficiency.
The chief had named two Democrats
when there were Republicans who were
just as good, and he did not believe
that the council should confirm the ap-
pointments. He would vote against
them. He intimated that the chief
should have consulted with some OF
ethe cOuncilmen or with members of the
committee before he made the nomina-
tiOns.
When Robertson had finished he sug-
gested that a chairman be elected and
Attorney W. r. Hutchinson was cho-
sen.
All of the cOuncilmen present spoke
on the matter as we'll as most of the
members Of the committee. They did
not talk in any kind of order. but sim
ply arose as the spirit of Republican
ism moved them.
Mayor Was Mum.
Mayor Thompson did not say a
word. He lay low as usual. He eX-
pressed no opinion whatever, and only
those members of the caucus who have
heart to heart talks with the mayor
know what he thinks about the whole
thing. Gemmell did not make a speech.
1t is said that he became tired before
tn meeting finished, and finding that
he had another and more interesting
appointment, left.
Chief Devine told the gentlemen
some things which they did not like, al
though none of them resented what he
said. He told them that his Republi-
canism was unquestiOned and that he
haH in at IA hirrh nf 10
publicaniSm in Utah. He considered
that he was as good a Republican as
anyone in Salt Lake and he would not
take a back seat for anyone
But he did not believe that parts
anism should figure in the fire depart
ment nor in any fire department. He
said that in departments in the east
politics did not figure and that as long
as he was at the head of the depart
ment he did not propose to run the de-
partment on political lines.
Chief Is Sarcastic.
In a sarcastic manner he referred to
the statements that he had not been
consulted in making the nominations
by saying thai this was the first time
since he had been chief that he had
been invited to meet with the city COM
mittee or cOuG rilmen to consider such
matters. He never had the opportu-
nitv.
IN answer to q statement on the out
side that he was trying to make pOlit-
ical capital, he said that it was untrue
for il was doubtful if he would remain
throughout the term of this admins
tration as chief If the department He
then iired shot OT two at Councilman
Buckle Buckle said once in the eoun-
ell that the heads of departments,
meaning Chief Devine, We're trying to
run the city government Chief Devine
answered him almost saVageIy that he
never tried to run anything or anyone
except the fire department.
That speech cooled off the ardor of
the gentlemen. They saw whom they
had TO fight. if they were going 10
fight. The chief told them that he be-
Aeved that Eikrem and Pugsley were
competent men and that he could not
find men more competent. They did
not think so, but they didn't make any
fuss about it.
DR.. Beatty's Position.
The only councilman who STAYED with
the chief of the department. was DR.
Beatty. He said that he believed that
Republicans should be given the first
nance at new places when they were
as competent as Democrats bEt tbat
in a matter of this kim he knew that
Chief Devine had made a thorough ex-
animation of the Candidates for the
places and he was willing To assume
that the best men had been selected.
There was no etfor. made TO take anv
radical actlon. II Would have been Of
no use Inc caucus thus broke I'D with
nothing definite but the daciSion -
meet again this week and tTv 70 settIo
the question.
Real Estate Transfers
D. P Cook to Jack Edwards LOT .,
block 2. Heath's ubdhislon of block
rlaf @ "a bipOh