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Show SHEETS OUTLINES HIS OFFICIAL POLICY, Chief of Police George A. Sheets, who was so quietly inducted Into office yesterday, yes-terday, has clearly outlined the policy he intends to pursue during his official - tenure. "He declares his policy will be 'follows:.'--,..; ' "I. purpose to enforce the law to the letter. That is my only policy. The police force-will remain the. same as It is. There will be no changes in grade or rank, and there will be no removals except for cause satisfactory to the City Council. " " "The men on this force are good men, and I have worked with all of them. Our relations have always been pleasant, pleas-ant, and I have no desire to stir up discord. dis-cord. . ....... "As far as I can see, there is no cause for trouble. . I shall insist on every man doing his full duty, and so long as this f Is done there will be no friction. If any v man r fails in the' performance of his duty, he will be called to account. That is my policy." V Mayor Thompson is satisfied with the success of the coup that seated Chief Sheets. He expresses a firm conviction that the 'Beating of the new Chief is absolutely legal. ' The members of the Council who opposed op-posed the naming of Sheets have con-. con-. , suited attorneys with a view of finding some way out of their predicament. They are firm in their expressions of determination de-termination to oust Chief Sheets with the aid of the courts. One plan is to enjoin en-join him from performing his duties and the other Is to instruct City Auditor Reiser to refuse to Issue a warrant for his salary. The latter method will probably prob-ably be adopted. City Attorney Nye rendered the following fol-lowing opinion on the status of the case, upon which was based the action of filing Chief Sheets' bond and Installing blm in office: Hon. Ezra Thompson, Mayor: Dear Sir: In compliance with your communication communi-cation of today in connection with the communication of the Recorder advising you of the vote of the Council at its last session to receive, file and concur in your appointment of George A. Sheets as Chief of Police, and complying with your request re-quest for an opinion as to the effect of the Council's action, permit me to say: Sections Sec-tions 200 and 202 of the Revised Statutes seem to be the only statutory provisions at all applicable to the question In hand. Section 200 is but a statutory declaration of the common law rule that a majority of the City Council, shall constitute a I quorum to do business. The common law I rule Is also that a majority of those present pres-ent may act and transact business with full authority, even If those present constitute con-stitute but a bare majority of the body elected. This rule must control in the present Instance unless changed by stat- j ute. Apparently the only change of this rule affected by the statutes of this State is set forth in section 202, viz, the passage of ordinances, and action on propositions to create any liability against the city. Clearly the action of the Council upon the confirmation of a Chief of Police does not fall within the statutory exceptions. My conclusion is. therefore, that the action ac-tion of the City Council last evening upon the appointment of Mr. Sheets as Chief of Police was a confirmation of the appointment ap-pointment and a full compliance with section sec-tion 4 of chapter 28 of the Session Laws of 1899, under which the position of Chief of Police was created by ordinance. Rule 17 of the City Council rules requires a majority of all the Councilmen elected to confirm an appointment by the Mayor. This rule must rest for Its authority and validity upon section 198 of the Revised Statutes, giving a City Council the right to determine its own rules of proceedings. This section, however, conveys no right to the Council to adopt a rule In contro-ventlon contro-ventlon of the statutes or the common .law. Rule 17 of the City Council Is clearly clear-ly In contravention of the common law rule referred to, without statutory authority author-ity inoperative and void. ' In my judgment the action of the Council Coun-cil last evening confirmed the appointment appoint-ment of Mr. Sheets ss Chief of Police, and the mere declaration of the presiding officer that the appointment was not confirmed con-firmed cannot affect It Mr. Sheets is clearly entitled to file his bond, take the oath of office and assume the duties of his office at once. Very respectfully, re-spectfully, GEORGE L. NTE. -. City Attorney, |