Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-09-01
COMPELLING THE PoOR TO SELL.

ONE Of the most cOmmendabl
features connected with the populs
ton ofthis city. in the past, has heel
the possession by the people Of al
classes Of their own homes. Instead
Of being renters the working peopI,
have been holders and have Iives
under their own roofs. They have
also sat under shade Of their OWL
trees and vines.
This delightful condition Of com.
fort, thrift and comparative freedom
from annoya nee, bids fair TO fade
away and become a mere memory OF
the past. The present government
is one well calculated to obliterate
it, and make this what a rabid Glib
eral'' faction have threatened-s.a
rich mans city,"
The policy Of the present munich
pal government is calculated to pro-
duce that undesirable resIlt. It's
Legitimate outgrowth of the inten-
ton Of the party who were enabled
to seize the reins Of rule by the most
disreputable methods known in the
mn iiy poll Of politics. We doubt
II any such scenes have ever been
witnessed In relation b the taxa
ton Of the people OF any city in |
the world as thUse transacted before |
the Council Board Of Equalization
during the last few days. The
protests that have been uttered
against the burdens that have
been imposed on the people by
the city government have poured
in like food, and have
exhibited the most fragrant and
unjust Determinations In the assess
ment Of values. Besides those
already heard, a host Of written
objections are in and will have TO
be considered.
Some Of the features Of this Ropu-
lar opposition to burdensome taxa
ton are almost ludicrous. When
the Salt Lake County Board Of
Equalization met to perform their
important duty, they were flooded
with protests against what were
complained Of as unreasonable and
excessive Assessments made bv
the county assessor, aud feel
ing against that official ran
high. Now many Of the same
complainants are, in substantiatinp
their grievances Against the high
estimates placed ON values by the
city assessor, citing, by way Of COM ,
parison, the lighter figures of the '
county officer, who is now viewed Z
because Of late city tax devotion !,
nents, as the acme Of moderation \
md justice. ]
The residence property, which is
Practically non-Productive, is assess I
Il at figures that beggar COM I
'arison- The working people t,
Who own nothing except their a
omss, are the class who suffer and y
roam most under the burdens i'm Il
osed. 1t will be exceedingly Diff Al
at and in many cases impossible Of
II them 10 inset the drain up5u - -
leir humble resources without ] m
lrting with a portion Of their sub nj
ance. To produce this condition OF
evidently the purpose Of the az. Vi
esslve public financial obligations =.
laced upon the people by those elt
no should he their servants. hut ~
no assume the role OF taskmasters- -
Heretofore light taxation, which
as hardly felt by the people. #,
nj freedom from indebtedness or
ave ruled in this municipality. eN
hese features are being rudeIy ~ IT,
ipei out, and the cry Of the Door :,
nd, In many instances, the wall Of sp
he wealthy who feel the pinch Of al
ppression, are ascending into the =
lrs OF city government that l. =,
ipidiy becoming odious beyond it
'iimate. Unless the latter listen 70 Is
is popular voice they will be exc =. ~
rated in almost every household r,
ithout reference to class, and de. tn
ounced as the inaugurators OF nm 4
"a oil tyranny which should bav, ~
o place within the borders Of the
.nIted States. g,