The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-11-16
THE "MoSS-BACKS."

1t would be interesting to know Just now
much money has been spent in this city
this year for buildings and accompanying
permanent improvements; and then 1t
would be quite as interesting to know just
what proportion OF the money was ex
pended by the old residents and what pro-
portion by the newcomers who were at
tracted by the boom spasm in which we
INDUCED year or so ago. We imagine
that if the truth were made public those
who have complained loudest of the So
called 'moss -backs'' and of the old fogies
would be the first to hide their faces for
shame, provided they have not forgotten
how to blush. In saying this THE HERALD
would not be understood as depreci ating
the good work that has been done by those
who have recently come TO live with US.
We fully appreciate them and their efforts,
and wish there were more of them-ten for
every one and that each had Len dollars to
invest for every hundred cents expended
by those already here.
But whatwe want to say is that those who
have found most fault with the ''old-tim-
ers'' because OF a supposed lack of enter
prise and the spirit OF progress, have been
kicking their betters and taking at IA u
dom. If one will make it his business to
inquire as to the ownership of the build
ings going up on all sides, he will learn
that the proprietors, with mighty few eZ
cepnons, are old residents, men who have
been here from five to forty years. He
will hear such familiar names as the
WALKER Brothers, DooLEY, DINwooDEY,
HANDY, ROBERTS, HOOPER, CUTLER,
You've, CULMER, KELSEY, GILLESPIE, Law
RENEE, and so on, these being only a few
which readily occur TO as now. Here and
there he will hear the name of newcomer,
but this will seldom occur, and when ii
does happen the name will not belong TO a
man who has been loud-mouthed and
abusive in speaking of the older residents.
THE HERALD is glau that the Cd timers
are doing this building aud making these
improvements. We are glad because il
gives evidence Of a confidence inspired by
knowledge of the country, its resources
and the permanency of its enterprises
You might deceive a stranger and py
painting fascinating picture of the posi-
bilities and promises of the future, induce
him to spend his money unwisely; but yor
can't fool an ''old residenter." When yor
see DINwooDEY, the WALKERS, DooLY and
others who are familiar with the city AM
its people, putting large sums into build
ings, you may know thai those building!
are required and that the investment vii
prove profitable. Boom talk has no inf1u
ence with such men. They are influenced
only by judgment based on knowl
edge of the facts. There is nothin,
speculative in what they do. Tn
idea of Mr.. j. r. WALKER or Mr.
HENRY DIYwooDEY, or Mr.. II. w. Law
RENEE, or any one Of score or more of GU
old time citizens who are expanding larg
sums for stone, brick and mortar, puttin
1000 or 100000 into a business bloc
while in doubt as to whether or not tn
investment will be profitable, is ridiculous
They tknow what they are about; the
know what the city demands, and what
will stand, and their wise caution and con
servatism keep them a little behind rattle
than ahead of the demand.
We say we are glad the old citizens ar
doing so much of the building, for it fur
pishes the best evidence of the solid
fly of the growth and improve men
which are seen on all sides.
puts out of question every suggestion c
''boom." 1t makes everybody feel that tn
onward march will not be checked, and tina
there will not be time when people wi
say ''Salt Lake moved too rapidly; sh
undertook too much and the reaction ha
come"
Meantime, let US suggest that before til
chronic grumbler again assails the old res
dents as mossbacks aud charges them wit
standing in the way of progress, he Will ii
quire who are the really progressive peop
of Salt Lake.