The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-04-08
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

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committee on streets and alleys, to
which was referred Councillor Dooly's
proposition to have the sidewalks Cd
South Temple Street improved, ex-
pressed himself as opposed to it because
all those residing on the street are not
prepared to stand the expense. This is
proper spirit under certain circum-
stances-under aggravated circumstan-
ces; but taken as general proposition,
it would be the height of folly. 1t is a
great hardship for many property own
ers to pay taxes. Snail we abolish taxa
ton for that reason? No law devised
by human ingenuity operates equally
upon all. When this city begins
system of sewerage, it will
be hardship on many. Shall We sus-
pend work on sewerage until it can be
done without temporary disadvantage
to somef if so, it will never be CON-
menced. The building of capitol, the
improvement of the public parks, the
protecting of fumed bitches, the filling
up of chuck holes, the building of tho
new county jail, Improvements ola pub
lie nature, under whatever guise they
may be undertaken, will intiict hard
ship on some. This hardship will be
temporary, because the investment is
enforced, but it brings its train of good
nevertheless.
Nor has the councillor any idea t. at a
time will come when the doing of this
work will be accomplished without in
convenience. If a thing.is worth hav-
ing it is worth working for.
We have to-day a trustworthy Coun-
Gil. What we may have two years
hence is q problem. We do not want
the Council to run riot. But we can
trust those men now holding positions
with the expenditure of public moneys
for public Improvements with IN
bounded confidence that the city wilt
get value received for all that is ex-
pended. That Improvements must be
made no one attempts to dispute. It is
simply a question of when. Public i'm
provements are for all time. Those
who are yet to come will enjoy them
with those who are now here. Justice
demands that all. who profit by i'm
provements should also assist in carry
ing the burden. That is why
cities run in debt. The principle
is just, and it is no hard
ship to those paying taxes that the city
should be bonded for public improve
ments when those to follow will bear
part of the burden. In fact, it is a
positive and admitted advantage; be-
cause, through this system benefits of
public nature may be enjoyed by those
living, and by those to come which, ii
they had to be paid for at the same time,
would be impossible; and the burd IN is
lighter because borne by a greater
number.
OF course, in a material sense, the
beginning of decided Improvements
would fasten and prolong permanently
what is now deemed by many to be
feverish excitement, and which is held
by others to be but the premonitions of
a great and permanent growth such
as the vast resources of this country
will sooner or later more than justify.
If it were for this purpose alone that
the desire for public improvements was
due. there would be grave objections to
the demand now making in the line in
question. But boom or no boom, these
Improvements are necessary. Our city
has attained growth and fame that
makes public works imperative. The
time is ripe, the city government is
honest, and the returns assured in en-
HANGED values and prosperity to the
city make it good as well as neces-
sary investment.
In addition to this, it gives employ
msnt toimany deserving men, who must
want otherwise. It will oil the
wheels of trade, it will brighten
our local machinery, infuse new
life and blood into commercial enter
prises, and give some comfort to those
who have worked long for what we see
to-day, and who of themselves can do
40 more. Let the newcomer and the
youth of our own city contributs to-
ward improvements. Let them begin
at once.
Who can say that every valid argu-
ment does not justify their immediate
MISUNDERSTANDING, yet within
reason?