The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-25
THE OUTLOOK FOR 1890.

If the year just drawing to a close has
been prosperous and progressive one fol
Salt Lake city in particular, and Utah ter
ritory in general, the coming year is full
of hope and bright promise, especially as
regards material matters. 1t has been
pointed out in these pages with "a degree
of definiteness that Will be commended
what has been done here during the past
twelve months. The attention of the
reader is directed to the excellent presen-
tation of facts herewith made, and then he
is asked to calmly and intelligently survey
the outlook. Doing this he will necessar-
| lily agree with THE HERALD which says
that marvellous as has been the advance of
the dying year, the pace has not been set
for the future.
First among the great promises is that
given by the elements in which the hus-
bandman is interested. Agriculture has
been and will be the basis of Utah's
prosperity and greatness. While we
grow what we eat and produce what
we wear, the community will be per-
manent and materially safe, as well
as independent. Without our grain. our
vegetables, our wool and hides, and our
meats, all other Industries combined, active
and successful as they might be, would not
bring the best prosperity, as we under
stand the term. Ours is essentially an
agricultural community. 1t is agriculture
which peoples the plains ard valleys, dots
the land from one end of the territory to
the other with cities, towns, villages
and hanlets, establishes and maintains
happy homes and insures steady growth
and permanency to the population. AS
confirmation of this we need only refer to
those sections of the interior west where
the tiller of the soil has been unable to es-
tablish himself. There are vast tracts in
Utah, in Wyoming, in Nevada, in Arizona.
and in Idaho which are wildernesses to-
day, and will remain uninhabited by man
through all time. The soil cannot be made
to reply to the most earnest appeals of the
husbandman.
Agriculture being the basis of our pros
perity, we say the outlook is most pleasing.
The most fruitful soil in this latitude is
barren waste when there is no water
to give it life and vigor, and with
plenty of water, thin and weak land
becomes productive. The year 1889 was
probably the dryest during this gener
alton, so far as water for irrigation was
concerned. For three winters the SHOWS
in the mountains were light and soft, pro-
viding slight store of moisture for the
summers needs; and last winter, as we all
ba
can't This scarcity, followed by an absence
of rains during the irrigation season, was
severe on the farmers and stock raisers.
The winter has just set in and our reports
are to the effect that a sufficient water
supply for 1890 is already assured, so great
has been the early precipitation. An
abundant yield of the products of the field,
the garden and the range may be safely
counted upon. Arrangements have been
made for bringing under cultivation amuch
larger area than has heretofore been
The system of canals and bitches
is being extended and made more compre-
hensive, and the result cannot fail to be
startling when account shall be taken of
next years harvest.
In the field of mining which yields so
much to the aggregate wealth of the terri
tory and provides employment for so many
men, not only as day laborers but in va
rious industries, the outlook is highly fat
tering. Long ago the ''wild cat' and spec
ulative features of mining were eliminated
from the business, and to-day the industry
is engaged in, managed and conducted as
oh
and profitable returns on the capital in
vested, and the judgment, skill and energy
displayed. The specula tive element hav-
ing departed, we know what we are doing, |
and can count with reasonable defniteness |
on the results of efforts. The managers of |
the principal mines know very nearly as
well what will be the yield three or six |
months in advance as the proprietors of |
mercantile establishments or the owners |
Of mills and factories know so far ahead |
the outcome of their operations. Thus we
,an say that the mining outlook promises |
much better than it did a year ago. The |
Did properties are being worked systemat-
cally, and their returns vary little. But !
several lodges have been opened during
,he autumn, and are now beginning to find
places in the list of producers. 1t is pre-
licted that next years output of the pre-
,ious metals, and of lead and copper, will
De some millions greater in value than has
his years product. This means the en-
,loyment of more men, the distribution of
more money, and higher degree of COM
nunity prosperity.
There can be little doubt that 1890 will be
by great activity in railroad
building. Already work has begun on
'ailway projects which will involve the ex-
of some millions before the end
# next year, and the reasonable expecta-
ion is that one or more of the roads coming
n this direction will enter the territory
md make more or less progress towards
his city before the end of the season. Few
bring greater temporary pros
,erity to community than railway con-
truction, large proportion of the money
being scattered among the people
nd going directly into the local business.
AS to Salt Lake city, it is settled beyond
question that the year upon which we are
ntering will be full of activity, of develop
nent, of progress and of the expenditure of
money. The tide of immigration which set
n some time ago steadily increases; the de-