The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-25
THE YEAR.

In material or financial sense the peo-
pie of Utah have no occasion to quarrel
with 1899. The dying year has been one of
the most prosperous in the history of the
territory In looking back over the twelve
months one can recall enough in the way of
achievements to fairly astonish him, and if
he will take the time to carefully scan the
pages of THE CHRISTMAS HERALD, he will
find that which will occasion further sur
prise and intensity his wonder He will
here learn that from the beginning of the
year there has been remarkable, if not un-
paralleled activity in industrial and finan-
cial matters, that the effort has been put
forth and been rewarded, and that
prosperity has steadily attended on all
sides. We do not now specially refer to
the great activity in real estate. Indeed,
in our opinion much that has been going
on in land transactions lately we cannot
regard as healthy, nor can we speak of it
as indicating solid and substantial business
such as the far-s seeing, clear-headed men
of the community take delight in and are
pleased to note. No matter how numerous
or how gigantic the transactions may be,
DuNllR anu oCIlllS 4dLu 1OL opSSuloO1OA dIS
not beneficial to the public nor to the city.
Only individuals are helped or hurt, and
the public has no concern in these things.
The man who pays $500 for lot and
erects on it a house costing $1,000,
does more for the city than a dozen
men who successfully buy a lot, each
paving therefor $1,000 more than his
predecessor paid, the land all the time
living unoccupied and unimproved. Specu-
lators may keep on selling and buying land
eternally, but if they do nothing more they
will bring no prosperity.
The prosperity to which THE HERALD
refers and in which it takes pride is repre-
scented by something more substantial
than frequent changes of ownership of
land titles. 1t is seen in the majestic and
costly business blocks which have gone up
during the year; in the numerous dwelling
houses which have been built and which
are found in every ward, on every street
and on very nearly every block in the city;
in the fact that in all the building indus
tries and trades, from brick-making and
stone-quarrying to hod-carrying, there has
been almost unprecedented activity; in the
circumstance that our financial institu-
lions have found profitable employment
for their legitimate functions; in the other
fact that merchants and traders re-
port a remarkable volume of bust
ness, and unusually easy collections
and prompt payment; and above all in the
fact that the masses, the laboring people,
have been employed. The supply of labor
has not been equal to the demand; nobody
who was willing and able to work
has gone idle, and in most instances
the men have found employment in their
own trades. Wages have also been fair,
somewhat higher than heretofore, and as
rule have been promptly paid, contract
ors and employers generally having the
money to meet their obligations as they
fell due. There is nc better proof of pros
perity nor is there a more gratifying cir
cumstarce in the industrial economy of
community, than the steady employment,
at just wages, of those who depend upon
toll for living. A community will always
be in good condition when all its members
are at work and all are getting fair pay for