Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-05-07
END OF A LONG DISPUTE.

----
The people Of this city will be graft
fed to learn that the police difficulty
has been satisfactorily settled. An
amicable conference between several
leading politicians on Tuesday, led TO
the resignation Of Chief Thomas II.
Hilton and the appointment In his place
of Capt. Samuel Paul. The resignation
was accepted and the appointment con-
flrined at the regular meeting OF the
City Council in the evening, by unani-
nous vote.
All parties appear to be satisfied with
this contamination. The Deseret News
joins in the general approval Of these
proceedings. II Is now probable that
the Mayor and the City Council VIII
work together with more harmony than
in the past, and that the executive de-
partment of the city government Will
not be at loggerheads. There should be
disposition among all the municipal
officers to work together for the pub
lie welfare. A desire to cooperate and
obtain an Interchange OF Views on pub
lie measures would be beneficial, and
result in greater good TO the city and
much more pleasure to the officials
themselves. II Is evident from what
has occurred that the influence Of SEN
ator Thomas Kearns has been exercised
IN this direction. so far as the settle-
ment OF the police difficulty has been
in question. and he, with other leading
lights In his party who aided IN this
matter. is TO be congratulated on the
result,
Captain Paul Is no novice In the
management OF police affairs. He has
twice before held the position Of Chief.
He possesses good executive ability,
knows how 10 direct and control men,
and can exercise authority with firm
ness and yet with courtesy. We look
for O thorough organization of the po-
lice force, the filling of vacancies with
good and competent patrolmen, and the
increase OF numbers sufficient TO meet
both regular and special requirements
as necessity arises.
The change has come In good time
The influx OF dangerous characters al
ready experienced, and the probable adj
vent OF others during the festivities
to take place later on, appeared very
threatening TO citizens interested in the
public welfare, In view OF the deple-
ton in the police ranks and the din
Guilty between the chief executive, the
City Council and the Chief of Police.
The end Of this controversy means, we
hope, the beginning Of good things In
the direction OF peace and good order.
The retiring Chief has been placed
in very peculiar and undesirable po-
sition. The criticisms which have been
passed upon him are. to some extent al
least undeserved. For long time ne
was loked upon as a competent and
faithful public servant, and objections
TO him are chiefly OF recent date. His
errors have been magnlned and his I'm.
tentions Inexperienced. That he
has failed in n few partIcu-
lars has been due to some ex-
tent TO the gripping Of the force
under his direction, and doubtless also
TO his personal dislike to exercise strict
authority and move forward indepen-
IDENTIFY when conditions required such
action. His kindly disposition has IN
terfered, in some degree, with that
strong discipline which is needed to
maintain the strength of every execu-
tive department The step he has now
taken has smoothed the way to the
settlement Of long dispute, and we
hope his future career may prove both |
profitable and enjoyable, to a greater
degree than his recent experiences.
The majority OF our citizens will be |
ANXIOUS 10 learn what will be the at |
titude of the new Chief IN reference 10 |
the vexed question of the Sunday H. |
quor traffic. They will not be left long |
in doubt as to this matter. The Mayor |
anu tit 'Niei VIII hVhoht00 NAVE
mutual understanding. and It is hoped |
and expected that the simple proposi-
ton viii stand out clear and strong IN
the view OF the entire executive de-
partment. that while ordinances re-
main on the public records Of the city |
rs alive and in force, they must BE- exc
,,,tad 10 tho fiilI extent Of the poyver
entrusted to the city officers, We con
graduate the municipal government
and our citizens generally on the sud
den settlement Of a diGculty. which
threatened TO disturb the public
for some lime to come, but which is
now numbered with the clouds that are
dispersed and the troubles that are
past.