Show r REGARDING 1EB PRATT Regarding Mr Pratt and the matter of his confirmation which is now pending pend-ing before the city council there seems to be a little difference of opinion relative rela-tive to The Heralds position in some quarters Some time since The Herald had occasion oc-casion to say that it was squarely opposed op-posed to Mr Pratt as chief of Dolice for political reasons and on the ground of public policy The Herald claims to represent public sentiment In this matter aside from speaking asa party organ and in op posins Mr Pratt it is not waging a personal war against him having no dtsire whatever to do him apersonal injury because there Is no one connected connect-ed with this paper who has any reason for bearing him malice Therefore in opposing his confirmation The H rald is not voicing the private opinion of any particular person connected with the saner but so far as it can it Is I laboring for the public good Since Mayor Clark to satisfy a nonpartisan non-partisan political obligation nominated Mr Pratt for the position of chief of police and then personally solicited his I confirmation by appearing before a ccmmittee of the city council and speaking In his interest there has not been a single valid reason advanced ad-vanced by Sir Pratt or any of his friends or even by his persqnal organ the Tribune why he should be confirmed con-firmed or why his name should be considered con-sidered in connection with the position he is striving secure The Herald Is opposed to Mr Pratt because the great majority of the people peo-ple of this city regardless of partyor creed think that no matter how well qualified he may be to fill the positlpn he is a detriment to the police force It is possible for a man to be in every way well qualified to fill a public posI tion yet < to so arouse antagonisms that the public good demands his retirement retire-ment p Mr Pratt has filled numerous positions posi-tions in this city and state both public and private and so far as The Herald Is aware he has always done his duty both as a private citizen and a public officer and while some of his official acts have been subject to critIcisip and justly so his offending has not been of that character which would warrant hIm being charged with dishonesty Yet after all his official career has not been so brilliant as to arouse even a suspicion la the minds of any considerable consider-able number of his fellow citizens that his services can not be dispensed with without endangering the pubJic safety There are others I Mr Pratt and all his backers including in-cluding his personal organ will have to admit that if the office of chief of po ice was elective that he would stand no show or election by the people Then why In all reason should he and they insist upon his being made chief of po I ice I |