Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-02-19

| 80 AohSS1 auluiulsbfatlOn OF public
affairs, and TO carrying forward in a
vigorous and progressive manner
such public improvements as are
necessary, as fast as the revenues Of
the city economically expended will
permit. The pledge to manage the
business Of the city honestly and
faithfully is one we can redeem, and
If We fail in this we can have no
excuse TO render to our fellow-citi-
zens.
1t Is the history Of all cities enter
ing upon a peroid of rapid growth
that It's public improvements are
inadequate, and new improvements
must be made on plans and in mag
nitude looking not only to the
present but also 10 what may reason
ably be anticipated in the future.
All growing cities meet this state Of
affairs, and We should be encourage
ed, rather than discouraged, by the
fact that our city has reached this
stage Of growth and development,
and that we have now to provide
for this new condition of things.
or course, our first duty is TO con-
dnue the municipal government Of
the city. In this we shall be guided
by the charter and ordinances,
and we have the power within the
limits prescribed by the charter to
make such further ordinances as
may be required to preserve good
order, peace and morality.
tits doubtful whether within the
limit of taxation We can command
the revenue required 10 carry on
all desirable Improvements at the
same time. If we cannot, We
should select those which are most
necessary TO the welfare and pros
perity Of the city, and which form
the basis Of the improvements TO
follow, and complete what we un-
dertake in the best and most sub
stantial manner. One of our most
pressing needs is a sufficient water
supply. In our climate We require
for sprinkling streets and lawns
and for trees and irrigation, a more
abundant supply of water than
cities of like size and similar pros
poets elsewhere; but 1 do not doubt
that practical plans to obtain an
ample supply Of water at reasonable
expense can be found. Various
plans have been suggested, and l
do not now feel sufficiently in
formed as to their relative merits to
make any specific suggestions at this
time; but l recommend that this !
subject be taken up and vigorously
pursued as soon as possible, ami that /
steps he taken to protect and pre- !
serve such water rights as the city |
now has, and also procure further /
supplies.
All who see the condition of our
streets and sidewalks viii agree |
that their Improvement is n subject |
only second in importance to the !
water question, and that measures /
for their improvement should be 4
taken at once and followed as fast as
revenue can be provided.
Permanent grades should be es-
tablished, and the work, 50 far as il I
progresses, thoroughly done, with
view TO permanence.
The sewerage system in the first /
sewerage district is so far advanced 4
that il can be considered in con-
nection with the streets and side /
walks of that district. The laying /
Of the sewerage pipesin that district /
should be completed, and the con-
nection Of the buildings with the |
pipes be required for sanitary rea- 1
sons, and also to prepare the way for |
a more permanent Improvement OF I
the streets and sidewalks. In other /
districts outside Of district number !
one, the urgent necessity for some
improvement of the streets and side
walks will probably not permit the
question to rest, TO await sewerage,
and in the residence portion Of the
city paved sidewalk, narrower than
the space allotted to sidewalks
would be adequate, so sewerage con-
nections MADE later on would not
materially affectit.
My attention has been called to
the sprinkling Of the streets, the i'm
provement of city parks and to other
subjects connected with public inn
provements, all OF which are Lesir-
able and should have your atten-
ton. / strongly recommend that
all work done by the city, as far as
possible. shall be done by contract,
in accordance with the ordinance on
that subject
The subject of listing real estate
for city taxation by blocks, in place
of the present method, has been sug-
gested to me, and the reasons in
favor Of it seem to be strong. 1t
gives the assessor an opportunity
to see that no property is omitted,
the taxpayer has the best oppOrtun-
ity to compare the valuation Of his
own property with that of Z
and improvements djoining,aL
board Of equalization has like adj
vantage Of comparison and can see
that the assessments are fairly and
made. | commend this
subject 10 your attention. The city
and county are Jointly erecting a
public building for the use of both. |
As work and expenditures have |
begun, think the city should unite |
with the county in fastening its |
completion.
Whatever we may do or attempt |
to do, we shall constantly have to /
keen in view the question Of rev.
enue, and that we must be limited |
by a reasonable taxation, not oppres- |
sive TO any class Of our citizens.
/ recommend that as soon as our 4
are formed there be n
careful inquiry and full report on |
the financial condition of the city, |
showing the probable available |
revenues of the city-the sources |
from which ii will be derived; what |
power the city has to borrow money |
and an estimate Of the probable eX-
pense of the city for ordinary |
business. We can then 1
arrive at an approximate estimate |
of the sum we can expend for |
permanent improvements
In a growing city and for neces-
sary improvements, l thisk it is 1
TO use the credit Of the city to |
a reasonable extent. The city should |
get money at n lower rate OF interest |
than il is now worth 10 the tax |
payer, and if the growth of the city |
meets with our authorizations, the |
will be easier from the in
crease in the value Of city property. |
Ii is both unnecessary and imprac-
tical TO now take up the details of 4
city business; and after consultation |
and deliberation on the various sub
iects as they arise from time TO time,
hope we shall be able to reach the
best conclusions and adopt the plans
and measures most beneficial TO the
city.
The message was received with
applause.
Hall moved that the message be
fled with the city recorder. Car
ried.
Recorder Hyams then read the
resignation of City Attorney Rich
ards, and the Council decided that
Il should take effect next Friday.
The recorder also read the resigna-
ton, to take effect Immediately, OF