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 4:15 yesterday afternoon George
A Sheets left the police department
as CHIEF and turned over the depart
n,ent to Capt. John b. Burbidge.
Sheets Immediately took his per-
sonaI effects, gave his keys to 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 'sAmerican" party.
The "American" members OF tho
civ council lid not want Sheets to
resign and were not parties to the
scheme TO Gust him.
The half-hearted Support" OF the
"American" party organ ana the
wishes of its manager and member
OF the city committee. Frank 1. Sci
fcrt. 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 BurbidSc.
..Siicnt'' George Raleigh, dubbed
during the last campaign as the mid
die man. is slated Id 60. The rea-
son may be given. "for the good of
the service"
Mayor Ezra Thompson has stated
that he absolutely would not appoint
a successor to Sheets. He did not re-
al. document
was handed to the city recorder.
lust when now chief will be APP
pointcl Is not known at this time. II
viii probably he several days before
a decision Is reached In this matter.
III Mayor Thompson remains in the
city Capt. Burbidge will be the acting
chief If he leaves the city the council
will name man as acting mayor and
that official win appoint u chief.
Tom Pitt is slated for the position
but II Is doubtful If lie will accept.
When his name was first suggested 1t
was thought he would take the job
but II is known that his family, bust
fness associates and friends will use
their influence TO keep him out of
the place.
The second choice is. not council
mnn Tom Black. but ex-Goy. George
Black. Ills name comes prominently
TO the front in the discussion.
a leader in the american" party
said today that the News" last even
ing "hit the nail squarely on the
head in discussing present conditions
IN the reform party.
IL Is the conccusus of opinion
among politicians of all classes that
any attempt TO Interfere with Capt.
Burbitige viii meet with failure. IL
is admitted that efforts to remove him
Will be prompted by religious con-
sideratlons.
In the meantime, the american"
party Is rs IA house divided against
ITSELF
Captain, / am going to quit and go
home. IL is now up to you, as l have
resigned. Alter l get my things from
the office | wish you would drive me
home"
The words were addressed to Capt.
John B. Burbidge by George A. Sheets
at 4:i5 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
lnittee insisted that he be sacrificed.
~ M
council were opposed to sheets leaving
the department at this time. Others
We're determined that he should go.
The paper that poked fun at the Idea OF
the McWhitters being robbed OF over
$1,000 began to weaken when II caus.
10 defending Sheets. Sheets realized
this perhaps better than any one else
He so stated. He admitted that he had
had enough of Tom Kearns. his par'y
and some OF those connected with II. AZ
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
could. He emphatlcaly declared that
/ II was not on account of the case pend-
Ing Against him that he resigned.
sheets and his leading counsel say they
have no fear as TO the final outcome 90
1that matter.
Il THOMPSON OPPOSED.
iHe hNueiHc 10 induce cntelh 10 re-
Sign originated several weeks ago when
&anoiher complaint. charging him with
accepting a bribe OF $500 was talked
about, At that time certain members
or The city committee got TO work and
used all the means In their power 10
iOree Sheets to step out. Mayer
Thompson was opposed to the scheme
u Is said that Chairman Darmer took
the same position, Sheets has finally
qhit because of the pressure brought
TO bear upon him and because as he
says, he Is tired of politics, especially
or tue American" party brand, and
wants TO be let alone.
PIT IS NOT ANXIOUS.
The question OF successor comes
next; Who will II her" Is asked on
every side The News learned ON
clally last evening thai Tom PITT was
slated for the position and that he
would accept II, This morning the
opinion prevails that Pitt would listen
70 his friends and decline the "honor"
II is understood that his family and
business associates win urge him 10
Keep out OF the police department Mi
I'itt 10 now In the east with A. j. Davis
president OF the city council. Since Ii