The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-02-10
LEGISLATIVE EXPENDITURES.

Economy is to be admired no les
lin commonwealth than in indiYid
usls; penuriousness Is no less to b
ldespised in one than In the other
A wise caution has eyer guarded
the several Legislative Assemblies
of this Territory in the expenditure
Of public funds, and the decision o
such a large body of men, ever
when it differs from that of in
dividuals, is certainly entitled tt
consideration and should be referred
to with that diff dence and respect
to which honest judgment is always
entitled. But, it is just ss essen
tial to public, as we'll as private
welfare that men should under
stand that penuriousness is not
economy, and that to stop the ex-
penditure of money is not always
either saving or an act of wisdom.
Such thoughts arise when one con-
templates the disposition manifested
by public officers to stay the ex>
penditure of public funds in direc-
tions where it would uuquestionably
prove of general advantage. II the
dread of "jobs" could be advanced
with a showing of foundation then
the timidity could be explained,
but where we are practically free
from such an apprehension, the tim
idity becomes a source of wonder,
In three directions this fear of an
undue expenditure has found exs
preston from members, not only
OF the present Legislature, but also
OF former Assemblies. They are
with regard to the University of
Deseret; the Insane Asylum, and
in making appropriation for the cap.
ture and punishment Of criminals
where tie expense incurred cannst
bs chargeable to any particular
county, or where the county Is TO
poor to meet the outlay necessary
to successfully deal with desper-
ate characters and outlaws with
means at their command. We we'll
recollect the earnest opposition of
some members Of a former Legiala,
ture to giving Salt Lake City the
right to bond herself for the con-
struosion of the Salt Lake and Jor.
dan canal, lest the burden of taxa
ton would fall too heavily in conss-
quence- Time has shown the ground.
lessness of these fears and to-day
the canal is admitted to be an in
calculable and indispensable benefit
to Salt Lake City and to Salt Lake
The University Of Deseret
has met with opposition because it
was claimed it gave advantages, by
public funds, to q favored class at
the expense Of all, and it was but
another means of contributing to
the wealth OF what were already
the wealthiest and most powerful
county and city in the Territory:
and yet the benefits that Utah has
enjoyed from this institution, in the
cause Of education, though they can
not be computed in dollars aad
dimes, is everywhere felt and every.
where is manifest. 1t is of far greater
and Of more general benefit than
could have been twice the money
expended in any other direction. It
Is said of the insane asylum that il
Is colossal affair;!that it is proposed
10 treat inmates there better than
sane people; that it will contribute
vast amount Of wealth to Provo.
which other portions of the Territory
cannot enjoy; and that the revenue
II the Territory will hot justify the
'utlsy. We believe the eenmis-
lonsrs followed the spirit as well az
be letter Of the law in locating the
Isylum, and however much other
might have deserved the
'rection Of thatinstitution thsrein,itI
hozla be sufficient 10 knew that sol
ar the law has literally been eona-
sAea witt, the eeAseeusnss Of which !