Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-01
George Sheets Resignation a
Rock Upon Which a Big
Split is Coming.
SOME MORE INSIDE HISTORY.
"SiIent" George Raleigh Slated
To Go "For the Good of
The Party
Tom Pitt Urged Not to Take the Office
second Choice is Ex-Gov-
ernor George Black.

At 4:d5 yesterday afternoon George
A. Sheets left the police department
as CHIEF and turned over the depart
ment to Capt. John b. Burbidge.
sheets Immediately took his per-
sonaI effects, gave his keys 10 the cap
tain and was driven by the latter to
the Sheets residence on Twelfth East.
George A. Sheets resigned because
of the pressure brought to bear upon
him by members of the city COM
mittee of the "American" party.
The american" members OF the
CITY council lid not want Sheets TO
resign and were not parties TO the
scheme to Dust him.
The half-heartcd support of the
"American' party organ ana the
wishes of its manager and member
of the city committees. Frank L. Sci
fert, figure in the AFFAIR.
II Is stated By men prominent in
american patty inner circles that
Seifert wishes to make other changes
and Is particularly anxious TO get the
scalp OF Capt. Burbidge.
"Siicnt'' George Itaieish, dubbed
during the last campaign as the "mid+
die man. is slated lo CO.. The rea~
son may be given. flor the good OF
the scryice.'
Mayor Ezra Thompson has stated
that he absolutely would not appoint
successor to- Sheets. He did not re-
ceivc the resignation. That document
was handed to the city recorder.
inst when a new chief will be APP
pointed is not known Mt this time. 1t
win probably be several days before
decision Is reached in this mnttcr.
IL Mayor Thompson remains in the
city Capt. Burbidgc will be the acting
CHIEF. If he leaves the city the council
will name n man as acting mayor and
that official will appoint chief.
Tom Pitt is slated for the position
but i, Is doubtful il lie will accept.
When his name was first suggested 1t
was thought lie would take the job
4, but IL is known that his family, bust
Fncss associates and friends will use
their influence TO keep him out of
the place.
The second choice is. not council
man Tom Black. but cx-Gov. George
Black. His name comes prominently
to the front In the discussion.
\ leader In the american party
said today that the News" last even
ing 'hii the nail squarely ON the
head In discussing present conditions
IN the reform" party.
II Is the conccnsus of opinion
among politicians of all classes that
any attempt to Interfere with Capt.
BurbiIge VIII meet with failure. IL
Is admitted that efforts to remove him
will be prompted by religious con-
siderations.
In the meantime, the american"
party Is as IA house divided against
itself"
Captain, l am going to quit and go
home. II is now up to you, as | have
resigned. Alter get my things from
the office l wish you would drive me
home"
The words were addressed to Capt.
John b. Burbidge by George A. Sheets
! at 4:45 yesterday afternoon. Within
half an hour Capt. Burbidge was in
charge of the department.. He will re-
main In that position until another
chief is appointed.
Just as the News" stated last even
ing, Sheets resigned because of the
strife existing In the American" par
~ at the present time. 1t is known
that certain members OF the city COM
mittee insisted that he be sacrificed
me al M
council We're opposed to Sheets leaving
the department at this time. Others
4 were determined that he should go
The paper that poked fun at the idea OF
\ the McWhiiter's being robbed of over
$1,000 began to weaken when It can~
10 defending Sheets. Sheets realized
this perhaps better than any one else.
He so stated. He admitted that he Ind
had enough OF Tom Kearns. his par'y
ana some OF those connected with II. At
y a lime when he expected help he did
not get 1t. on the other hand he was
left to fight his battle as best he
n could. He emphatically declared that
a II was not on account OF the case pend
n Ing against him that he resigned.
II Sheets and his leading counsel say they
ii have no fear as TO the final outcome Oh
'tthat matter.
"a THOMPSON OPPOSED.
y hlgn originated several weeks ago when
y another complaint. charging him with
Ell aeeepting a hribe OF $500 was talked
Aabout- At that time certain members
" or tie city committee got 10 work and
4 used all the means In their power 10
force Sheets 10 step out Mayor
81 I'hompson was opposed to the scheme.
n II Is said that Chairman Darmer took
S the same position. Sheets has finally
q quit because OF the pressure brought
70 bear upon him and because, as he
s. says, he Is tired of politics, especially
OF the American party brand and
& wants TO be let alone.
Al PIT is NOT ANXIOUS
Il The question OF successor comes
n next; Who VIII II be?' Is asked on
& every side The 'News' learned ON
II claly last evening thai Tom Pitt was
y slated for the position and that he
would accept II. This morning the
q opinion prevails that Pitt would listen
4 10 his friends and decline the honor"
II is Understood that his family and
business associates viii urge him TO
keep ont OF the police department. Mr.
I'itt " now In the east With A. j. Davis,
president OF the city council. Since Il