The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-04-06
NORTH BENCHERS.
And All Their Cry is Water
Waterl!
NORTH BENCH,
SALT LAKE CITY,
April 4th, 1882.

!
We are glad to know the Ed
Runds bill wilIn not materially affect
city improvements, as there is one
necessary and much-needed i'm
proYement, and hope it will claim
the attention ofNthe energetic and
thorough business person, Mayor
Jennings, backed by the City COun-
Gil. The Improvement referred to IS
the permanent watering of the north
bench.
There are over 100 blocks, or 400
lots, half of which are entirely with
out water. The four tiers above
Wall street have had water a few
months in the year. The quantity
received has been a mere deception.
The inhabitants Of this bench have
anxiously and patiently waited for
years for something to be done to
crafty this necessary want. Those
with an improving turn of mind
have been induced to plant shade
and fruit trees in order to make
their homes cool and inviting.
By much attention and means
in some instances good productive
orchards and gardens have been
produced. This effort and care Of
several years, through the INSULT
Gent supply Of water in few hours
have been nearly or in some cases
entirely blasted. The hundreds of
dead and dying trees are standing
evidences.
The insufficient amount Of water
running from Fort Douglas in the
sun through stagnant pools is unfit
for use when it reaches us, hence
all water for house purposes is car
ried or hauled from City Creek
ditch. Even this water will not
keep good in the summer months
more than two days standing in bar
rels, but many have to use it when
unfit for use, hence much sickness
and perhaps death may be caused
thereby, for the death rate of wards
on this bench is said to be larger
proportionately than any other part
of the city. Daily may be seen chill
dren, and old people whose hairs
being gray, indicate their years,
yoked like beasts Of burden, pack
ing water for their families, (While
the more sturdy are laboring for
bread) the distance varying from
one to- seven blocks. To pay for
water by the barrel is a tax of itself,
while last year as high as soc. was
charged.
Our lives, property and al we
possess through our present mode Of
obtaining water, are insecure.
Health, the identifying Of our sur
roundings, the raising of our pro-
perty to its proper value, depend
entirely upon a daily supply of good
fresh water. No insurance COM
pany would be willing to put our
property on its list with the poor
security we have. Our ground is
useless without water for which we
pay tax. Our homes, costing $500
and upwards, would never realiz6
their proper value under existing
circumstances, hence the necessity
Of water.
Much has been expended in well
digging, with little or no success,
while our more fortunate neighbOrS
below, have both wells and bitches.
In making the necessary bitches,
there is no person, property
owner, who would not be ready to
contribute any reasonable amount
Of money or labor to make and OBJ
tain permanent and determined
supply of water. This would ma
terially lessen the expense to the
city, seeing there are about
four hundred lots and frac-
tions of lots needing water.
we pay our taxes, therefore we
should be entitled to some consider
alton. Our privileges compared
with our lower neighbOrs' are
few, and one Of the greatest privi-
leges that we could enjoy is this
privilege of water. for the beautify-
! ing of our homes entirely depends
upon this Indispensable element.
The almost worthless condition Of
this bench land would soon be
changed from a barren condition to
that of beauty and facility. Houses
so much in demand would soon
cover this spot, and at the same
time wonderfully increase the city
revenue, and a quick return for an
outlay would soon be realized; hun
dreds Of families would be benefited,
while the present condition of the
land is profs9g no one; in many
instances aas been proftless
This bench is capable of raising
an enormous amount Of fruit and
vegetables for the inhabitants of
this city, when brought under
water.
We think there is no longer any
need for this pleasant place to be
producing sage brush, while happy
homes could soon take the place
thereof, for there are many only
waiting to hear the glad and certain
news that this bench is to be
brought under water. Then i'm
proVements would Immediately
commence. Now, may it be said.
IN honor of the present administra
ton, that they were the means of
comforting this lasting and Iong-to-
aforementioned blessing on the citi-
ZenS OF the north bench.