Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-24
CITY ATTORNEY CALLED IN.
Now Looks Like Custer Proceed
ings Would be Commenced
BY the Commission.
Matter Is Referred TO Judge Hiles Who
VIII Advise Commissioners
Course to Take.

Judge Willis Brown OF the juvenile
court will not resign from that position.
He believes that for the present he
should remain in Office and continue
in the work which he says in his COM
munication OF today he was invited by
the people of the city and state to
come here to agitate. His communlca-
ton was received by the Juvenile court
commission today, and IN answer to
the formal request for his resignation.
1t makes the direct statement that he
was taken completely by surprise and
that the matter of resigning had never
been intimated to him until he received
the communication from the commits
sion OH Tuesday afternoon. Yet, ac-
cordine to the minutes OF the secretary
of the commission. Mayor Thompson
used the following language: Judge,
we want to have heart to heart talk
with you. We are of the
unanimous opinion that you ought to
resign from your position
In reply to that Judge Brown said
~ don't agree with you He then left
the room and late in the afternoon
formal communication requesting his
resignation was sent to him by the
commission.
Not only was the matter preached to
him In the above language on last Tues
day morning, but a member OF the COM
mission told Judge Brown the day aft
or the supreme court rendered its opin-
ion In the juvenile court cases that he
should resign from his office.
The commission met today in Mayor
Thompson's Office and received Judge
Browns refusal to resign, which was
sent TO the commission by the clerk OF
the court. The commission upon read
ing It sent for Asst. City Atty. Dininny
and had a conference with him as to
the powers of the commission TO dis
change Brown, snn.fss TO what, would
constitute Just Cause for his removal
The assistant promised to advise with
City Atty. Hiles and go into those
points thoroughly and give the COM
mission an opinion on the matter as
soon as possible.
BROWNS REFUSAL.
There is no question but that the
commission will take steps to remove
gives IL an opinion as to the proper
manner to proceed. Judge Browns
letter to tho commission follows In
full:
Jan. "a. 1907.
| To the Juvenile Court Commission,
Stll Lahs WY ltsiu-
Gentlemen--In replying 10 your
communication OF the END in order
that I may be perfectly understood in
the decision I make. ] am constrain-
| ed in this letter to call to your at
tention a few facts relative TO the
| Juvenile court its law and the position
which I now hold by virtue of the ap-
pointment from the commission which
preceded the one which now asks for
my resignation
First-In the beginning the people
OF this city and state accorded me the
confidence of inviting me here to agi-
tate methods and laws which would
assist in the reclamation of the chill
dren. Those who had been for years
agitating this question rallied TO the
support. and as result we secured
a juvenile court law.
Second--A newcomer and almost
stranger, the commission. In spite of
great opposition selected me as the
first Judge OF Utah's first juvenile
court. and to administer law with
which had mich to do III preparing.
Entirely eliminating everything which
would suggest an Interior motive, at
great personal sacrifice and amidst
financial hardships. | conducted tho
court, with single purpose OF max
ing 1t life-saying station for chill
dren, and a court to be loved by every
child In the community.
Third--After nearly a years graf
uitous service (for / expended all OF
the meaRer salary Of SIC per month
back In the oourD ] resigned. without
any prearranged plan as TO reappoint-
ment. feeling conscious, that In this
length OF timc the commission and
community al large had an opportun-
ity to become acquainted with me and
my methods.
Fourth-with my appointment at
maximum salary allowed by law, and
the universal support offered our court
by the citizens OF the city. felt jus
tilted In the conclusion, that my admin
istration of the honorable position was
endorsed. To further strengthen me In
this belief. found ready and eager sup
port for (frsD the Morris school: (seo-
ond) farm home for boys; uhird) nd
ditional probation officers; (fourth) a
Juvenile band and various boys clubs
and enterprises. Clfth a building for
Juvenile betternent, made possible by
the donation Of Mr. Newhouse
Fifth--The splendid support, CO.
operation and expression OF confidence
extended to The court and officers by
the principals az the public schools. and
their published official reports of The
benefits OF our methods In checking
truancy and incorrigihility In the pub
lie schools.
Sixth Greatest Of all, the cheer and
confidence given me by over 500 boys
who have come before me; willing 10
do their best TO overcome mistakes: low
ing. no, fearing the law. helping, not
hinderlng one another; going 10 places
OF detention alone: coming TO court vii.
linely on simple request; and calling
me friend rather than their judge.
These facts, and the further endorse.
mcnt that your commission, both as a
body and individually have given me.
by Kind words, granting OF requests Tor
things needed endorsement or plans
and methods for more efficient work.
and concentrations for accomplish
than 10 decide 20 remain for the present
IN the position and Ia the work which
you ask me 10 summarily give up. The
fact that you base your request solely
upon the Mill's decision makes Il COM
,,l,,gj,,n mat [ should arriya M this 49,