Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-05-05
A PRESSING DEMAND.

Reports OF city dolngs on Sunday
agree In the statement that the saloons
were doing a roaring business, In def
ance Of statutory law and the city
ordinances Only two arrests were
made. Great vigilance was exercised
by the LIQUOR dealers to prevent the en-.
trance OF policemen into the places
where business was being carried on,
and also the obtaining Of evidence
showing that intoxicants were being
sold to the numerous customers who
Hooked into those resorts The hum
OF business and the noise frequently
made by imblbers Of those stmulants
we're plainly to he heard, leaving no
doubt as to the infraction OF the law
though proofs sufficient to secure CON
vlction we're not easily attainable.
This condition OF affairs has become
public scandal. The responsibility
for II rests upon the entire executive
department OF Salt Lake City. The
Chief Of Police has authority under the
law to take al necessary measures to
"apprehend all persons committing any
offehse against the laws Of the state
or the ordinances OF the city" II is
made the duty OF the Mayor 20 "see
that the laws and ordinances are faith
fnlly executed" Both these officers
have sworn to perform the duties thus
Imposed upon them II they are not
responsible for the condition OF affairs
to which we have alluded and which is
deprecated by two-thlrds at least OF
the people Of this city, upon whom shall
the blame be paccdY
The City Council has taken action on
this matter so far as instruction TO
these officers and TO the members of
the council, TO aid in the enforcement
OF the ordinance against the Sunday
Fquor triflc Is concerned. But we
think that body can do something more.
The police force has been depleted by
the removal Of some members and the
resignation Of another Those vacancies
ought TO be filed. Action should be
taken by the council In regard to this
matter II the Mayor IL determined TO
obstruct the appointment OF proper
persons TO fiji the vacancies, let the
responsibility rest upon his shoulders
Further there should be some special
policemen appointed, whose names need
not be made public. to obtain the neces.
sary information for the detection and
conviction Of the defiant offenders. The
Chief of Police and the City Council |
can make the appointment and then |
let the public see why the work is not
done, II the Mayor declines to do his
part in confirming them.
We are fully aware OF the difficulty
between the Mayor and the Chief. or
rather between the Mayor and the CITY
Council in regard to the Chief. We do
not desire TO see the Mayor Inundated
In the least In reference to this dispute.
He desires a change In the head OF the
police department, but has not succeed
ed In making II In the manner which
he attempted. He had the right 10
move In that direction, and the council
had equal right TO agree or disagree
With his action. The law is plain and
specific on this point We have not
been able TO see why the Mayor could
not, without any loss OF dignity or
prestige, nominate a person whom he
considers suitable for the Office Of Chief
" Police, In the place Of the present In.
removed That IL the usual
manner In such cases. We believe that
uch a step would dispose OF the trou. ,
Ne between the Mayor and the council. 4
Surprising that the executive Of the
lily VIII not conform TO this custom !
'ut persist in the attitude he has taken
oncerning Il. Why should that be I
arrier In the way OF the APP t
ointment Of the necessary ON {
ers 10 preserve the peace Of ,
he city, to protect the property Of ?
he inhabitants, and to enforce the city a
Why should not competent G
zen be appointed on the police force? q
urely an agreement might be reached o
= TO whom they shall be- II the Mayor a
nd the Council and the Chief OF Police
snnot come together sufficiently to an
lie vacancies on the force. and TO
rOvide the city with adequate nolice
rejection, that ought to be definitely ~
nown. and then let the burden OF the n
sponsibili,y for so disgraceful con. oil
tion Of affairs rest where It belongs. r.
The city Is now overiun with persons an
identity belonging to the criminal ele. 81
ent. Arrests are made IN consider IN
lie numbers. The city Jail is filled IN
N offenders. They cannot be en- Sc
Dyed on the streets because OF the lack 81
officers to Keep them in charge M
useholders are in danger Of burglary di
destrlsns al night have to watch out
footpads. Professional gamblers, In
,fdence men and petty thieves, are ac
'wding into the city. and there viii IA
more as the season advances. and GU
becomes known among tramps and th'
peradoes how crippled is the police VIC
&c and how loose Is the laws en- for