The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-05-17

them. The department also claimed that
the examination to which the girls had
been subjected, was with their consent
1t was also set up by the department
that the girls We're of bad character, had
been frequently arrested. had been seen
great many times in the company of bad
men. and had been q source OF annoyance
to their immediate neighbors.
Upon the question OF acguiescence III
the physical examination upon the part
OF the girls, we cannot agree with the
claim Of the police department. The
statement made TO the girls that they
were diseased and must be examined TO
satisfy the police upon that point, was
coercion, and the impression given that
they must submit to an examination or
60 to the reform school, was to the girls
in their surroundings, alone in the police
OFFICE, nothing more nor less than plain
command
We do not find that the police officers
were justified in making this arrest with
out q warrant
We find that the claim of the police
department that the girls were immoral,
ana were diseased. without foundation
To the credit OF the chief of police be
1t said that he informed the committee
ne assumed the responsibility Tor the
whole affair
After carefully considering the evidence
that came before US, We reach the con-
ciusiOn, that in this action OF the police
department the right of person, and the
law OF the land have been violated, and
an excuse given that is of itself d con-
demnatiOn, and that such action should
not pass unnouced, and that the law, and
the rights OF the individual may be res
pected, his violation of both should
meet with proper punishment to, If moth
ing else, stand as q notice to those in
authority that while they enforce and
execute the law, they must themselves
Chief Severely Censured-
Year committee cannot too strongly
ia la of Low Of Z he
rights Of individuals, and feel that the
interests OF the pubic demand that the
conduct OF the police department shall,
and must be in keeping with the law.
Police OFFICERS necessarily have disagree
able duties to perform, but they need not
add 70 1t by stepping beyond legal
bounds. Prisoners nave rights as well
as the police and the authority con-
ferred by the law must be exercised with
wisdom and discretion.
To your committee nothing more hui
initiating has occurred in connection with
the police force than this deplorable al
fair. The only circumstance that brings
relief is the acknowledgment on the part
or the chief OF his error, and his solemn
promise to the committee that while he
remains in office no such wrong shall be
again permitted.
Your committee by large majority
favored suspension from office. but have
been informed that such punishment is
not permissible under the law.
The acknowledgment by the chief of his
error in this matter, his promise that it
shall not occur again. induces your com
mlttee, after careful consideration 30
recommend to the council the adoption of
the following resolution:
Resolved, That this council, the mayor
cOncurring. does hereby publicly record
its censure of the action of the chief of
police in causing Clara Carney Hattie
Dahl and Pearl KeSSler to be physically
examined, and declare same to have peen
without warrant or right and a violation
of the law.
Chief Hilton's Apology.
The apology of Chief of Police Hilton
follows:
Salt Lake City, Utah. May Is, 1900
To the Honorable Police ana Prison Com
mittee, Salt Lake City, Utah
Gentlemen: The administration of
police affairs in a city like Salt Lake
presents many delicate problems, and
they may not always be solved in the
WlSest manner The action of this de-
partmenU in the matter of the physical
examination of the three girls by the city
physician, which is now being con-
sidered by your honorable body, was
taken with the best motives and inten-
Upon reflection, ] am convinced that such
action was improper and desire to now
publicly acknowledge the error and to
assure you that 50 long as j remain at
the head of the department the mistake
shall not be repeated. In doing so I de-
sire, in the most emphatic manner, as the
responsible head OF the police depart
responsibility for the action. Very
respectfully yours,
THOS. H HILTON.
Chief Of Police.