Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-10-23
THE DEP CREEK RAILROAD
FRANCHISE.

TIE granting OF valuable fran
chises TO the promoters Of the Deep
Creek railroad project was greeted
by them wita joyful vaccinations.
az course. 1t was worth heaps Of
money to those who have secured
&. They have been active and
shrewd and were evidently ac-
quainted with the most likely
means to effect their purpose. They
are 20 be congratulated on their
success.
This railroad ought to be Of great
material benefit to this city, as it
will be, no doubt, to the country
through which il passes ami the
mineral regions il win tap. Salt
Lake ought not 10 complain Of more
railroads, for competition in these
lines will in all probability cheaper
transportation, and help to increase
the sum Of the city's wealth by
opening new avenues Of communi-
cation with people and places that
viii contribute to its trade.
We think. however, that a mis-
take was made in not giving heed
to the protests against granting the
new railroad the right Of way along
Eighth South Street, which is al
ready occupied by one line and
Will be made still worse than it
is now for the travelling public to
and from Liberty Park. II il had
been given passage on Tenth South,
we believe the. public interests
would have been better preserved
without causing great detriment to
the railroad enterprise.
The numerous professors against
giving up the OLD Fort block, among
whom are many prominent "LibeT-
ais" who are property holders and
permanent citizens, will doubtless
feel highly c0mplimented by the
comments of the Liberal" organ.
1t calls their sensible petition ''the
s0rriest humbug on earth" The
City Attorney will also be delighted
with this sort OF ''Liberai'' argu-
ment % against his opinion that
the granting OF the petition for that
block would be '.ilIegal.''
We hope the blocks intended for
parks-such as remain to the city
will be held for the purpose, even
though he municiual authorities do
not feel justified at present in spend
iny none to bsautify them. They
vii. be needed foE the object in-
tended an time viii show the wis
dom Of kee ing them 70. the public
and not devOtiny them 10 private
uses.
Aud a warning just here and now
will be timely. The Deep Creek
railroad people still intend 10 push
Tor depot grounds. That is all right
on their part. But it VIII not be ali
right If complsisant city councillors
become too ready to move rs these
shrewd men desire. The new rail-
road must have a depot somewhere,
sfcourse. But it does not follow
that the City Council should defy
public opinion TO please them, or
give away valuable land for private
purposes.
a union depot in some proper and
convenient place viii be a good
thing. All the railroad companies
are interested in this. One should
not be favored above the rest. AS
far as possible the traffic should be
limited to certain localities, that the
public streets may be preserved from
obstruction and the property ada
cent from deterioration in value.
The public viii DO wei to keep open
eyes on this matter and tine protest
ors to keep from falling asleep on
the Old Fort block question.
We hope the Deep Creek project
will be successful in every way that
will not infringe upon public rights
and the general welfare. We favor
the enterprise much, but we regard
the public interest more. Let u
have railroads by all means, but let
US not lose sight Of that self-prese5-
walton which, in puOlic as well as
private affairs, Is the "fiast law Of
natureO