The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-04-22

Tor some time that Hewlett was cp-
posed to such a scheme He could not
be found last evening, so that his po-
sition now, as stated by him, is not
known.
The first caucus thus failed to ac-
cOmplish anything, and that is why no
effort was made in the council meet
ing Tuesday night to have Democrats
removed. Another caucus was called
for Wednesday evening last, wherein
second attempt was to be made by the
inspiring presence of the city commit
tee to influence the two opposing
councilmen and bring Mr.. Hewlett to
the support Of the former resolution.
But ii was postponed because Council
man Hewlett was unable to attend.
There is an indefinite and hazy idea
Of calling another caucus, but it is felt
that the two cOuncilmen who will not
stand with the majority are so deter
mined that further persuasion is use
less.
Now many threats are being made
against Beatty and Cottrell, some by
responsible politicians and some by ir-
responsible seekers for Jobs. They have
condemned Or. Beatty in particular in
nerce terms because he will not bow to
the machine.
He was nominated to add strength to
the Republican ticket. So anxious were
the leaders to have him as a candi-
date that there was an understanding,
expressed or implied, that ne should
name the health commissioner, for he
was much interested in having a proper
man for the place. He showed his first
independence of the machine when he
demanded and secured the appointment
Of DR.. King, a Democrat
DR.. Beatty Talks.
i am unalterably opposed to remov-
ais from places in the police. health and
1re departments being made for any
other reason than incompetence" said
ne yesterday. 1t seems remarkable to
me that men should desire to have poI-
ltlcs govern appointments and remov-
ais IN such cases. Politics must be kent
out of these departments. I will fight
to the last ditch any proposition to re-
move Democrats simply because they
are Democrats"
Mr.. Cottrell is just as positive in his
convictions. He opposes in a determined
FASHION the removal Of Democrats 90
republicans or Populists because thew
are such.
We cannot have efficient firemen or
policemen if politics is to be the basis
OF their removal or appointment" said
ne yesterday. The sole ground of an
pointment must be efficiency. and the
sole ground of removal must be in
e1nclency. l stand by that proposition
ana no Democrat shall be removed
from these departments with my con-
sent"
These statements settle the matter
Tor there are six Democratic members
OF che city council who will not vote
to remove Democrats. The eight men.
even without Councilman Hewlett. who
is believed TO stand with them, consti-
tute a majority. They can block anv
recommendations of Mayor Thompson
or the chiefs Of the fire and police de-
partmentS
But it is very doubtful even if Chief
Hilton would remove any Democrats
on the police force. There is inside his
tory IN this matter which has not been
heretofore published. and which NAV
explain why he cannot afford to do so.
Chief HiltOn's scalp has been sought
by Republican bosses for months lust
as earnestly as they have hunted Dem
ocratic ScalpS. So fearful sNas he some
weeks ago that he would be removed
that he contemplated Offering his resig-
nation
He must stand or fall with the Dem
ocrats on the force.
For, the same combination which re-
tains them, keeps him as chief. The
six Democrats and two Republicans
who control the council, who maintain
that ineff1ciency shall be the only cause
of removal, viii not permit the bicker-
ing of Republican factions to cause his
removal. DR.. Beatty mas not been ap-
preached on this matter he did not
even know that Chief Hilton was a Re
publican, so Indifferent is he to the
political faith of city employees. But
Cottrell knows Of the efforts to remove
Hilton. So do tie Democrats. They
are probably willing to stand by him
so long as he remains a nOn-partisan
in his Office.
Chief Hilton did not always hold this
position by virtue Of Democratic
backing in defiance Of Republican
enmity. 1t came about through the at
tempt TO remove Bicycle Policeman Da-
vies some weeks ago, and the proposal
to remove Mrs. Hampton. the matron,
in order that sister Of the Republican
boss, Pratt, might have a place. T.ese
two removals were to have been the
commencement of the slaughter of
Democrats. But the Republicans found
then that they could not control a ma
jOrity of the council. They found Cot
trell and DR.. Beatty against them, and
the slaughter was postponed.
1t is understood that this was about
doned Hilton. Considering this stu
alton, il is doubtful if the chief Of po-
lice would recommend the removal of
Democrats. He might thus cut off his
own head. too.
Devine. Will Fight.
Chief Devine will not discuss his re-
lations with the Republican machine,
because he does not want to mix in
politics. But his position is not secret.
Though strong Republican, there is
little doubt that he will fight to a fin
ism any attempt TO remove efficient
hremen who are Democrats. 1t is not
believed that he viii bow to the ma
chine and recommend removals of
Democrats. In fact, it may be said on
very good authority, that he will defy
the Republican bosses if such a de-
mand is made on him. Probably that
is why no strong effort has been made
to cOerce him. There is little doubt
that were such an effort made the six
Democratic cOuncilmen would come TO
his rescue as they have come To the
rescue Of Chief Hilton.
But these attempts of Republican
bosses and the city council to organize
the fire and police departments into
powerful and INSCRIPTIONS machines
for the debauchery OF the city at the
November election will continue They
not only believe that TO the victors be-
long the spells, but they want to or
ganiZe a machine that will carry Salt
Whether or not they will do so depends
III. 81 18th srF