The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-08
THE PUBLIC BUILDING MIDDLE.

| day evening, when a special meeting will
be held, at which there will probably be a
further display of childishness.
There are some peculiar phases of this
controversy which are mysterious to the
public, however plain they may be to the
council. 1t will be remembered that the
city and county asked for plans for the
proposed building, the competition being
open to all architects. Several contested,
and after an examination of the
plans those of Mr.. APPOINT
were accepted. Then there was an
asking for bids for the erection of
the structure, and as before several were
entered, though we believe that none was
definitely accepted. However, work was
begun, the excavation being made and the
| cement bed for the foundation laid, the
contract with the architect to superintend
the construction being duly and regularly
signed. Meantime, it had developed that
the politics of the successful architect
was not in harmony with the partisan ideas
of the municipal authorities. Work was
suspended on the building and the air was
full of rumors as to the cause Finally, it
leaked out that doubt existed in the minds
OF the mayor and certain members of the
council as to the practicability of the plans
whether or not the stories were true is not
for US TO say, but the plans were sent
hither and thither to be examined by
other architects. At the time some
people were of the opinion, and so
expressed themselves, that the architects
politics and not his plans were at fault.
these people still hold to their opinion, and
recent developments would seem to sustain
them. After going from one architect to
another finally one was found who indi-
Gated objections to the plans. These were
minor and immaterial, it is true, but they
were deemed sufficient by the unfriendly
council upon which to base The discharge
Of APPOINT and thus get rid of man who,
whatever might be his skill as draughts-
man and designer, was not Liberal in pol
ltics. He wasn't gotten rid of, however,
until he had received over $1,000 of the
good money of the Jaxpayers-much more
cash than he'was entitled to if his plans
were not good, and much less than he
should have had if his plans and estimates
Now comes some funny business
which the people cannot understand. No
sooner is Mr.. APPOINT disposed Of
compromised with-and clearly out of the
way than the council resumes the matter of
going ahead with the building, and strange
and inexplicable as it may appear. going
ahead with it according to the original
plans, the very plans which had been de-
clared faulty and impracticable and be-
cause OF which alleged faultiness their
maker had been bounced, though to get rid
OF him cost more than SS,OOO Practically
the only change to be made after all.
was in the architect to superintend
the work of construction. We saw
this all appears very funny. If
MIR. APPOINTS plans were bad six months.
three months, or one month ago thew are
bad now; if it would have heen unwise to
erect building according to his design and
speclhcatlons last year, it viii be equally
unwise to do SO now. With all due respect
to the councilmen, though not even hoping |
TO get reply, we ask if the adoption of
Mr.. APPOINTS plans, now that the archi- |
tect himself has been disposed of. is not
frank confession that APPOINTS antiIib-
ersi politics was not the real objection tn
his building plans!
But here comes in some more s.funn,,
business" Having disposed of the Of |
lenslVe APPOINT, the council does
not think it proper to open the
experimenting of the building to com
petition, but selecting one of the citv archf. |
tects for the work, undertakes to make a |
bargain with him without consulting anv-
body else in the matter. He states his
terms, which are acceptable to the com
mlttee, is given the original plans. and had |
1t not been for the objections filed and the
muss stirred up by the other candidates
would ere this have had a binding contract !
with the city and county to proceed with
the building, according to the plans which
had been ostensibly rejected until the man !
VINO made them was bought off and ont of |
the way. Peculiar, isn't it, to saw the
least! Does it suggest favoritism. infn- |
ence, pulls" or what does it suggestl The
archltecus are trying to find out Int we
doubt that they will be successful Thew
will not succeed if the council can nre.
vent.
While all this is very funny, the funniest
part OF the whole business is that there is
not IN our opinion, the least intention on
the part OF the council to erect the build
ing. There is certainly no such intention
On the part Of any intelligent member of
the council, FOR he knows that the thing is
out OF the question. The city treasury ia
IN no condition to undertake the PROMISED
The corporation is not exactly
bankrupt, but its expenses are largely in
excess OF us regular and legitimate
revenue, and its borrowing ability is be-
ng so rapidly exhausted that the
municipal debt will have reached the
maximum before the expiration of
inc present extravagent and in
competent government, without puttin9
any money into a pnblic building
we think that all this talk in the council
about proceeding with the joint building is
Intended to throw dirt into the eyes of the
people who have demanded the erection bf4
me structure. and to make it appear that
me WORK is soon to be resumed. when as n
natter Of fact work cannot be resumed
intl the corporation can borrow monay mr.
Until a capable, economic and honest GOV
'rnment can be installed and given time to
ave some of the cash which flows into the
municipal Golfers.
NOW WE shall discover what fine worl,
las been done on our streets. We shall
rudge through the mud to the refrains
Jung by the down town organ about
paved boulevards, and .ssmooth bion