The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-02-28
WORLDS FAIR APPROPRIATION.

HERALD reporters questioned a good
many of our business men and property
owners on Saturday concerning their views
as to the sum which the legislature should
appropriate for territorial representation
in the Worlds fair. The results are con-
densed in another part of this paper. A
number of gentlemen expressed them
selves on the subject but requested that
they be not quoted, owing, in some in
stances, to modesty, in others, to dislike
to antagonize anybody. In almost every
case of those who declined to permit the
use of their names the gentlemen were
opposed to a large appropriation. If one
will read what is said elsewhere, he
will learn that the great majority
OF these property-owners seem to favor a
moderate Experimentation $50, 600 and
not less than $4,000 Perhaps the latter
sum would come nearest to meeting the
minds of those most interested-the men
who will have to pay the money.
We understand that the legislature is
somewhat troubled by the matter. Peti-
tons have been rolling in from all parts of
the territory, asking an appropriation OF
$780, 600. The lawmakers desire that the
territory shall be fairly represented in the
great show, but they cannot see their way
clear to the voting of so much money
in the present condition of the treas
ury, and especially when the demands
by local public institutions are SO
imperative. We do not think the legisla
tors need be annoyed in the least. Com
l-,a l.r far AZ he
tions represent the wishes of anybody
whose opinions are valuable. The sigma
lures in many instances were obtained in
much the same way that signatures were
attached to petition TO have the Philadel-
phia sun dial rooted over to protect it from
the suns rays. So far as this city is con-
cerned the petitions have been lying
around in the saloons and public Places
and been signed literally by boys and per-
sons who do not even contribute so much
as poll-tax towards the support OF the
government. The petitions may be said to
count for nothing. Action must be taken
without reference to them, being based
upon the ability of the territory to make a
display.
In looking over the list of appropriations
by other states, we find that 100000
would be recklessly extravagant on the
part Of Utah, and entirely disproportonate
with the sum given by every other state or
territory except Illinois, which contributes
handsomely with the certainty of receiv-
ing handsome returns from the invest
ment. The great state Of Indiana votes
900; Iowa, $4,000; rich and populous
Massachusetts, So, 200; Nebraska, SGT, 1000;
New Hampshire, New Mexico. North
Carolina, North Dakota and Rhode
Island, S25, 900 each; Vermont is content
with an investment of $4,000 and West
Virginia is satisfied with $4,000. If Utat
We're to give in proportion to these states
| population and wealth being taken into &C
| count our contribution would be insigniti
can't indeed.
The HERALD thinks the legislature
, should be governed in this, as in all Other
matters involving the appropriation O
money, by wise economy, which runs be
tween extravaganza and stinginess. Th,
} territory wants 10 be fairly represented il
t the exhibition, and this can be done with
reasonable appropriation. such as can b.
r paid without embarrassment or depressing
3 the tax payers. The chief industry which
, will be illustrated is mining, and it is as
. sumed that those engaged IN it will bear
5 large proportion of the expense. 1t will
! be very small displays which other indus