Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-11-18
THEY HAKE NO ANSWER.

A WEEK ago We male some re-
marks on the communication of
Major Silva to the Ogden City
Council, which showed how LIB
erai" officials set at naught the laws
ofthe Territory and OF propriety, in
virtually entering into a contract
with themselves for lighting the
streets Of Ogden City. As repre-
scented by Major Silva, the Mayor Of
Ogden owned nearly all the stock in
the Citizens Electric Light Com
pany, ami other city officers, with
his clerks. owned the remainder.
And yeta contract had been let to
that company by the City Council,
and that, too, without throwing the
matter open TO competition, as re-
quired by law. The Mayor would
have to sign the contract on behalf
Of the City and also on behalf OF the
contracting company, thus in effect
letting the contract 20 himself The
letter Of Major Silva was read to the
Council and the subject was post
pOned for n week.
At the weeks end the Council
met. but the only allusion TO the
matter was this: The committee on
public works presented the following
v.-LsuN, ...r- ,Aa-H.I.
To The Honorable Mayor and cry
Council:
Your committee 10 whom was re- |
ferred the resolution OF the Council |
directing the committee on public |
works to reopen the matter OF lighting |
the city to competition, beg leave to
report that we find that the recon-
mendation Of the committee to the !
Council in September last was adopted !
and contract in accordance Herewith |
was made with the Citizens Electric |
Light company.
And we also find that the Citizens |
Electric Light company has practical
ly cOnformed to the requirements Of
said contract but that the lights have |
not been placed in position owing to !
the fact thatthe city did not locate the |
lights as required by the contract.
We respectfully recommend that |
the Council locate the poles at once
and that the Citizens Electric Light |
company be given thirty days from
the date hereof to have their part OF
the contract completed.
Respectfully,
L. A. wHALEN,
a. C. FELL,
(. NJ. PREsHAw,
Committee on Public Works.
This looks as though the Ogden
"Liberal' Council intend to ignor,
the communication which let in 50
much sudden and glaring light up
on their peculiar dolBgs, aud to
brave public sentiment and a posi-
BILE law suit, in order to carry out
project that appears to b. for their
personal pecuniary benefit II We
understand the mettle OF Major Sill
va, he viii not allow the matter to
rest here. He and the company h,
represents have rights, and they ap-
pear to be conjulned, in this issue,
with public polity. II the Ogden
Council persist in this course, ",
may hear Of proceedings that vii
bring out all the facts, aud determine
whether law and decency can b,
with implnity, in the in
terest of "Liberal'' Off cials who US.
their public places for a privat,
grab.
They may, however, yet Civ.
20 the public IL
excuse or palliatiOn of their action.
II so we will give their reply as much
as the charges mad.
against them by the rival company
No answer does not always mean al
Of guilt. But in n ca,
like this the public, as in the Par
nell suit, will construe the silence o
The accused as inability to make B
reply that will bear scrutiny.