Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-02-20
THE VACANT OFFICE.

The resignation or Chlei OF i"hNV
Samuel Paul has raised turmoil, once
more, on the question Of the lack OF
harmony between the Mayor and the
city Council IN reference to police APP
pointments; also much discussion as TO
the reasons why Chief Paul resigned
No matter what may be stated on
either side Of the controversy, Samuel
Paul is out Of Office and the place he
occupied is vacant
We believe the gentleman did the
very best he could while in Office, under
the circumstances which surrounded
him. AZ my rate there was peace
within the police department and It's
affairs were conducted respectfully and
we believe honestly. Some Of the city
ordinances we're not enforced with the
vlgor that was desired, except ocea-
slonally but we have no doubt there
were Influences brought TO bear which
hindered the Chief from proceeding
with the force that was necessary. Dur
ing the last days Of his official career
however, he manifested a determine
ton TO carry them into effect In
manner which certainly did not suit
some persons interested In the matter
Chief Paul retlres with the respect and
goodwill Of the majority Of the citizens
OF salt Lake, and we wish him success
IN the business affairs which will hence-
forth command his entire attention
The attempt on the part OF certain
individuals and newspapers to antici-
pate strife between the Mayor and the
Council, evidently proceeds from de-
sire on their part to run counter to the
expressed wishes OF the majority OF the
people OF this city voiced repeatedly by
the majority OF their representatives In
the City Council The idea, which Is
repeatedly put ferth, that the council
or majority thereof, Is In duty bound
to confirm every appointment and en-
dorse every official action Of the Mayor
Is childish IN the extreme. The very IN
tent OF the law is to put a check on the
one-man- power which some unwise
people In this city desire to see estab-
llshed 1t is expressed In the endeayor
10 push bill through the Legislature
vestlng such power in the Mayor, We
do net believe a sufficient number Of
the representatives Of the people VIII
force such a measure upon the people
of Salt Lake and Ogden. II would be
an outrage upon them. Il would be In
direct hostility to the principle which
has governed In the enactment Of all
the city charters, that have been upon
our statute books from the beginning OF
the Territory and continued IN the
State.
Those persons and papers to which
we have alluded have started
the contention anew. by suggesting
the name Of candidate for the Office
OF Chief Of Police which has been
turned down every time It has been
put forward. There is no need for the
Mayor to precipitate another squabble
by presenting that name again, either
officially or by quiet and underhand
wlre-working among the members Of
the Council II there Is any such re-.
viyal Of contention in this matter it
win have been started not by the City
Council but by the Mayor or his friends
md supporters,
one thing should be clearly under.
stood; that IS, the rights OF the Council
IRE as important and as clearly defined
rs those Of the Mayor, 1t takes the
confirmation Of the Council to legullze
any nomination that the Mayor will
make. The proper thing to do is to re-
frain from attempting to press upon
the council any obnoxious appointee,
but to select some competent person
regardless Of personal friendship or
political obligation, who win an the
office to the public credit and adyan.
tage, and with the approval OF the body
which the law has endowed with the
power Of confirmation There will then
be no trouble, or strife or il-feelng IN
regard 20 the filling Of the vacancy IN
The police department that now exists,