The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-07-27
THAT SIDEWALK.
THE HERALD,
Salt Lake City, Uts

Some months ago the City Council
in compliance with a petition, took thu
necessary action looking to the layini
Of walk on the north side of South
Templs Street, running east from the
Eagle Gate. Everybody comedies tina
to be one of the ugliest sidewalks in
town, for a portion of the way at least
and with equal unanimity all say the
walk should be among the best, as that
is one of the most populous, most at
tractiVe and wsalthiest of the residence
streets. 1t is rather discreditable that
for years complaints have been heard
regarding that particular walk, facing
on which are the residences of SO many
wealthy people.
As remarked, the Council took action
in the matter months ago, and the an
nouncement was made that in little
White South IFresl1Is2le would boast side
walk which would cause the owners of
lots on Other Streets to- be envious and
"a ask the Council to order their walks
to be similarly improved. The South
Temple Street walk remains in the same
abominab!e condition as before the
promised Improvement last spring.
What has gone with the Council orders
and resolutions and estimates, we do
not know Nor is it worth while at
this time to inquire after them. They
will probablT turn up in time, and with
them will come an explanation of why
the contemplated work was delayed or
abandoned, if it has been abandoned, as
seems TO be the case. What we want to
ask at this time is, what is to hinder the
people going ahead with their side
walks? 1t was given out last winter,
when the agitation was the hottest
that with unimportant exceptions, the
property-ownefs along its streets were
not only abuadantly able to bear the
expense of tie improvement, but were
really anxious to each pay his proper
ton. All they desired was that the city
tax, and 90 the work, it being generally
admitted that the paved wax, aside
from the greater convenience it would
afford, would enhance the value OF pro
pe-ty much more than the cost of the
improvement. La tterly we have heard
some complaints that the work has not
been performed, or even undertaken'
and it is said that the lot
to have the walk constructed.
Accepting this as true, it is suggested
thsS the property-owners go ahead with
the enterprise, and not wait the slow
motion of the Council. Private parties
can construct any kind Of walk that
may be desired as cheap and well as the
city can do it. 1t need not be feared
that the Council Will interfere to pre-
vent the individual property-owners
from laying their tagging, asphaltum
or cement in front of their lots. On that
very street, year or two ago,
the owners of one block con-
structed a cement sidewalk which is a
credit to their enterprise and to the
city. They die not ask the Council to
compel them te do the work and make
them pay for it; all they asked from
the city was the establishment CT the
grade, and that being done they laid
and paid for sidewalk which the mo-
ment it was completed added to the
selling price OF the lots, if they had
been in the market. three or four times
the cost of Sbe improvement. The
owners of other blocks along that street
can do the same, and similar results
will follow.
THE HERALD is not trying to excu &c
the Council for not proceeding with
the work which it ordered, our only
purpose being to suggest to parties who
have been so eager and anxious in the
matter that they have it in their power
to help themselves without calling in
the municipal authorities. If there are
whole blocks the owners of which want
che walk aud are willing to pay for it,
they should go ahead, and not trouble
the city fathers and the public with
the business. They should be silent
while others complain.