Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-11-06
THE JOINT BUILDING.

WE present in this issue some
facts connected with the proposed
and long delayed joint city and
county building. The "Liberal''
procrastination connected with that
needed Improvement has caused n
good deal OF evaporation among
members Of the party in power in
this city, as well as among people
not belonging to it. 4 question has
been raised regarding the compe-
tency Of the architect with whom
the contract was made for plans,
specifications and snperintendency
Of construction, as will be seen by
the documents which appear else
where in the NEWS. II is appro-
pirate now 10 examine, from the
evidence presented, the status OF the
discussion.
hIr. Apponyi's work was referred
to Mr.. Hale, another architect, of
this city. The latter severely criti-
cised the drawings and specifica-
tiOns. Mr.. Apponyi was given n
hearing before the joint committee,
and he disposed Of Mr.. Hale, whose
objections to the work submitted TO
him for inspection We're overturned.
IL does not require any stretch Of
conjecture to infer that had Mr..
Hale fiOOred Mr.. AppOnyi before
the committee as completely as he
had appeared to do it on paper, the
committee, or 4 majority Of them,
would have been satisfied TO 90 no
further. Seeing that the boot was
on the other foot, someone else must
be found whose criticisms could, by
some means, be made 10 stick.
Hence the reference Of Mr.. Ap
ponyi's work 70 Mr.. Charles L.
IllsIey.
It will be seen by the report Of the
gentleman last named that he also
assumes to demolish Mr.. Apsonyi's
plans and specifications. This causes
the Salt Lake 7r6uHe-which has
been the inveterate and malicious
enemyO Of the architect who secured
the contract, from the beginning
to chuckle. IL will be observed,
however, that it cGckles over a one
sided story. Mr.. Illsley's report is
or pdrte. Perhaps IL Mr.. Apponyi
gets a chance at it he will serve II
In the same way he did tn. criti-
cisals Of Mr.. Hale. We believe.
with Solomon, that che who judg-
eth a matter before he heareth it is
a fool" To base 4 judgment on a
hearing OF one side Of 4 question is
absurd as well as wicked, beca1se
in ninety-Bine instances cut Of a
hundred it will be colored by the
reiatoE.
The cOloring process is certainly
apt to be applied if there be a mo-
tive present for its use. 1t appears
from the document itself supplied by
Mr.. Illsley that he is an interested
party. 1t Is evident that he antici-
pates, in the event Of Mr.. Apponyi
being rejected, that he himself will
be awarded the contract. Who that
wishes 10 do justice would base a re-
lection Of a contract upon q report Of
a competitor for il? We do not pre-
tend to be able to judge of the COM
potency Of Mr.. AppOnyi's work, but
We have some very decided ideas
about justice. Hence we say that
there can be no excuse for attempt
ing to repudiate that gentleman's
labors or render the contract made
with him nugatory OF the mere
basis Of an ee parte statement from
an interested person.
1t is to be presumed that the
previous City Council and County
committee who accepted Mr.. APP
ponyi's work and the "Liberal',
officers who later entered into the
contract with him did not assume
their positions in the dark. As in
telligent agents OF the people they
doubtless considered well the steps
involved before taking them. 1t is
well known, however, that Mr.. APP
ponyi incurred the bitter hatred of
the Tribune gang and the rabid wing
Of the ''Liberal" party because he
himself 90 the effect that
he considered the hosting Of the
caTpet-bag-the insignia of the
party-over the stars and stripes TO
be al indignity TO the national flag.
For this he has been abused
and cursed and an idea Is prevalent |
that the war waged against him is
more on that ground than that Of
incompetency as an architect. II
he is really incompetent he ought
not to be entrusted with the i'm
DOrtant work involved, but there ia
oTiDld .fdcie evidence that he is not |
,eibg fairly treated. Ea pGrte
statements from interested parties
Ire not proof. He has disposed Of one
iet of criticisms of that character;
lie should be given n chance at the
,ther.