Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-03-24

police TO succeed Samuel Paul, resigned
and succeeded n having his appoint
ment confirmed by the council by
vote of to o. Two of the councllmen,
Fernstrom and Robinson, We're absent
from the meeting and the ant-shcets
contingent felt secure because rule N NJ
the council provides that the couArma-
ton of any appointment requires a ma
iority Of the votes Of the entire num-
Der Of councilment elected which is
eight votes
They conceded that Sheets could
summon seven votes but they depended
upon the rule Of the council to prevent
his continuation There Is where they
made their mistake The Sheets men
took advantage Of the absence Of the
two colncilmen and put In the APP
polntmtnt when they knew he could se-
cure a majority Of the votes OF those
present They now claim that rule II
OF the council is In conflict with the
state statutes on the proceedings OF
city councils and hence Is Of no effect
Therefore they claim that Sheets was
confirmed, and the opinion OF a number
Of prominent attorneys Of the city backs
them up In their contention.
The statutes provide that a quorum
Of "a council rs sufficient to transact all
business and that a majority vote Of
quorum can pass any measure. except
ordinances and measures wherein the
city assumes a liability I'm those two
Instances 10 requires majority of the
votes Of cOunCllmcn elected II is very
clear. according to the Sheets men, that
the statute does not apply 10 the con-
irmati0n OF appointments by the may
or, hence the seven votes secured by
Sheets last night was sufficient TO con
firm him
When the council reached the order Of
business of reports from city officials
city Recorder Nystrum al once read the
appointment which follows In full.
TO the Honorable Members OF the
city Council SAT- Lake city. Gentle.
men--l hereby. with yOur consent APP
point George A. Sheets 20 the position
of chief OF police of salt Lake city. to
am the vacancy caused by the resig-
nation OF Samuel Paul aus chief Of pc.
lice 1 am very respectfully,
EZRA THOMPSON Mayor"
A. j. Davis at once moved that ths
communication be received and lilea
ana the appointment confirmed. The
NiNANhll W NN lNANllNNA Ny AfNANAIi UNIV
the roll call proceeded with without any
comments whatever Hewlett in cast
ing his vote In the affirmative, explained
that he had heard OF charges being prc-
ferred against Sheets but that they had
not been proven. he therefore believed
I'm giving Sheets trial The roll call
was concluded and announced hy the
recorder as follows. Ayes Black Dav-
cler, A. J. Davis. Hewlett sharp,
Thomas and Yigus Noes-Anod, u II
Davis Eardley Spence, Tuddenham
and Cotuell President Cottrell then
announced that the motion had lost,
and the matter was dropped without
amy further discussion and the council
proceeded with IT'S regular business.
After the council adjourned. Sheets
men commenced to work quietly to get
matters Ia shape for their man 20 take
charge of the department today. so that
The opposition would have 10 make the
FIRST move iu 0uHing him. A bond was
prepared in the sum Of s. 600 and signed
by Frank Knox and John Lynch The
mayor approved the same and Il was
filed IN the city recorders Office early
this morning The only thing remain
ing 10 be done when the Sheets men
retired last night was to conduct
sheets TO the station and install him,
which was left for the mayor to do
today