The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-03-08
FOR FREE WATER
To Resist the Special Tax for
Water Mains.
THE TENTH WARD MEETING
A First Warder Speaks Out and Asks His
Neighbors TO Stand by Him in Fight
ing the Robbers.

There will be a meeting of those inter
ested in the payment of special taxes for
Waterman extensions, in the Tenth ward
westinghouse, next Wednesday evening.
1t is believed that the waterman tax is
illegal, and steps will be taken to resist its
collection. The cost of the necessary legal
proceedings will be ascertained, it is
thought, by that time, and those who de-
sire to take part in the movement will have
an opportunity to participate.
All that have water main taxes to pay,
and this includes every one that has yet to
have the mains extended past his property,
as well as those whose taxes are now due,
are earnestly invited to attend.
Competent legal advice has been sought,
and it appears that the taxpayers are entl-
tied to relief from the payment of the
exorbitaut special tax, which is not only
unjust but unconstitutional. A large at
tendance from all parts of the city is eX-
pected. Messrs. Adam Speirs, A. M.
Musser, William Fuller, John Squires, j.
H. Paul and others are taking an active in
terest in the matter, but no committee has
been authorized as yet to act for the tax
payers.
1t lis all-important that the meeting Of
Wednesday night be well attended, as the
time is short and the taxes now due will
soon be collected.
To the Editor OF the HERALD:
The free water pledge of the Liberals is
Just now receiving strange fulhllment.
In my section of the city, the people heard
one day that the water mains were about TO
be extended down Eighth East street, and
straightway sent in a protest against it, as
none of them needed the water. Indeed,
several of them, with springs and flowing
wells have already too much water. A
polite note was received from the city re-
corder, saying the matter had been re-
ferFed to the committee on water works,
but within three days large force of men
was at work digging the trenches.
We regard such duplicity on the part OF
city officials as reprehensible in the ex.
IRENE.
OF course we received our water tax no
tices-S217 for each city lot, and while en-
deavoring to investigate and test the legality
of the high handed proceedings of the city
officials, the assessor exultingly haunts q
notice of the sale of our property in oul
faces, with costs Of S2.70 added to each.
This is simply adding insult to injury
While the struggling people are endeavor
ing to tide over present financial difficulties
and high taxes, it is cruel and despicable
for the assessor to exact the full pound Of
flesh in such indecent haste and in sucf
with a vengeance. And every member o.
the city government knows the special tar
for water mains is unconstitutional. Fol
my part, if my neighbors will aid me, viii
fight the robbers in the courts.
FIRST WARDER
An old resident said to HERALD reporte
that the reason the city is so eager to ex
tend the water mains to every part of tn,
city is that the corporation derives quite
revenue from the extension. The specia
tax assessed was more than sufficient q
pay the entire cost of the extension. Wors
than all, this occurs after the city has sup
piled the main part of town with waite
mains out OF the general expense fund
without special taxation in the first place
After expanding 100000 in this way, tn
ordinance requiring the mains to be PAL
for by special taxes was passed. This i
understood ty be one of the grounds O
which the tax will be resisted
There is considerable adverse common
en- the extension of mains on Thirteent
East street to places on the east bench tina
never had any water right and to recent
improved property in the southeastern
part of the city. 1t is urged that the cit
should first secure an ample supply {
water before parceling out the preser
amount that is quite insufficient for preser
users, to parties that never had any clail
to it. The addition of GO per cent in mil,
age of mains to the number in use la:
summer, causes much uueasiness abor
scarcity of water; as no real addition to tt
supply has yet been made.
1t may be that the council will be brougf
up standing in regard to its water policy.