The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-08-14
THE ADDRESS.
To the Taxpayers Of Salt Lake County:

THE ADDRESS.
To the Taxpayers Of Salt Lake County:
The county court having decided that 1t is
best In their opinion for this county to issue
bonds TO the amount Of $4,000, sub
mlts the following statement OF facts. To-
gether with estimates OF certain expenses for
permanent improvements which should be
made, and ask their cureiul consideration that
intelligent action may be had in the bond cleo
tion to be held Aug. 10, 1892.
Steps were first thaken in September, 1889,
TO procure the erection of o JOINT city and
county building The amount Of cash on hand
Sept. !, 1882 was SlSO66 81; Sept. ], 1890, was
s4s.6sS.G S; Sept. l, 1891, was s52 s25 u. The
balance now is practically nothing. or viii be
when the appropriation for July bills is made
The expenditure upon the LOT, plans and
building on the part OF the county has been
9lO6 S24.OS all oil which except the amount on
hanu Sept. ], 1880 has been derived from the
taxes OF 1889, 1890 and 1891. except the amount
received from merchants licenses, etc.
OF The SlO6. S24 OS expended, Is l. go were paid
Dec. y, 1889 for one-half the lot on First East
and First South streets. That lot has been
exchanged for one-half interest in the Eighth
ward square where the building is being
erected. The remainder has been expended on
plans. architects, percentages, excavation OF
the ola site. purchase OF a lot Tor the boiler
house. ana construction of the building on the
present site.
The contract calls for the erection Of a build
ing at the cost of S371, 9S7, one-half Of which,
amounting 10 SlSs $3.50, shall be paid by the
county.
Upon laying the foundations it was found that
extra work must be done TO insure firm foun-
dalton. The extra work ana material cost
S20929 %, so that the cost of the
building Today stands at $685., GIG. q;
the countv's half amounting to Slg9 45S 49, The
county has paid on this contract and these ex-
tras SSs, 77l.4 leaving balance CT $3.50 BS5e9 to
be provided for.
Undoubtedly there will be further extras as
building progresses. An estimate of ex-
OrfSlGp Of The contract is n c
lows:
Tunneling from boiler house and put
ting in heat and light, eounty's halls 10000 90
Parking Eighth ward square, county's
Sidewalks, countys half---- 6,OO0 10
Paving street about court house,
FG G1ani court house c0uny half s 00S 6
Total. 81. 800 20
Yet due on contract ------....-------- l59,373 SO
Total. s945. 373 90
Provision must be made for the incigent of
the county me poor house when erected was
adequate and well located he great growth
OF the city and county have rendered ii made
Quate ana the location poor.
Inc court proposes to go into the country
where land IS comparatively cheap and pur-
chase farm large enough to meet the wants
Of the county. for all times.
There viii be no loss TO the county by this
CuduBe Inc present poor farm can De SOLD Tor
more than it cost the county, including The
buildings thereon.
1t is estimated that this change will cost:
For farm. $4,000
For buildings -----------......---- 300 0
For furnishing ----------- 900
Total -----------------s4 5 OOO
The support OF indigents in this county costs
more than it should for the following reasons /:
The cramped quarters at the poor house ne
raESitHfpG the IA mir
hospitals VINO should be IL the lnfrmary and
would be II there we're proper accommodations
for them there.
Much outside aid is given by the county court
at present which would be cut off if The room at
the poor house were sufficient to meet the de
mands of our population.
The territory makes no provision for
the care OF imbecile and idiotic
persons. There are many such in this county
who are q charge upon the public. AS we are
now situated they must be kept in the same
wards with tnose who are in possession OF their
faculties. Separate wards ought TO be pro-
vided for the former classes.
To build upon the present Poor Farm, con-
sIstlng Of only ten acres. buildings suitable to
meet the necessities OF the present and future
would in TIE opinion Of the county court be
very unwise and entail great loss upon the
county IN the near future, when the growth Of
the city will compel removal from the present
site.
The county has expended UPON roads, during
the past three years, the following amount Of
money:
From Sept. !, 1889, TO Sept L. $780, "a Sc. 5e6 "a
From Sept. /, lSg, to Sept. 1, 1891. Is S02 "
From Sept. J, 1891, TO July g. le92--- 1854 48
Total Sl14 g71 90
The following has been appropriated during
the same period 10 the pauper and insane ac-
count ana expended III the care OF INDECENT per
sons. IN the intirmary, hospitals and for out
side relief, and in hearing in insanity and con
veying those committed, 10 the asylum:
From Sept. l, 1859, TO sept J. 1903 $500 IS
From Sept. l, 1880, TO Sept. l, 1851 IA, 1856 70
From Sept !, 1891, to July 9, lS92--- 1898 S5
Total 1881 80
The county court believes that no more has
cen expended upon roads during the past wear
han must be expended each year for several
years TO come. Much OF the western and south
western parts OF the county need work upon
the highways All the old wooden bridges
should be replaced by iron structures as rapidly
as they wear out. This will be much more
costly at first but will be economy in the end.
The cost OF caring for the poor will decrease
per capita with the establishment OF the new
poor house and infirmary but will probably in
crease with the population.
The net income Of the county from taxes for
the past three years has been about 500 600
per year. II the necessary road and bridge
building is to be done, the poor and insane
cared for, either the valuation and tax levy
must be raised or the county must provide for
the extraordinary expenses now to be met for
permanent improvements by bonding itself
1t certainly seems but fair to those now here
that the payment for these improvements
should be thus extended over period OF years
and that those who come after us should bear
their share OF this burden.
The court is Of the opinion that taxes should
not be raised, and they have taken the way pro-
vided by law 10 ascertain whether the people
take the same view.
The present poor farm and buildings should
be sold, II bonds are voted. whenever the
market will justify, and the proceeds should be
used to meet portion Of the debt, or for per-
manent Improvements as shall be best.
@. w. BARrCH,
Chairman County Court.
HARVEY HARDY,
[sEAL john BUTTER, Selectmen.
JOHN p. CAHooN,
Attest: Q. E. ALLEN.
County Clerk.
By CAUsTEN BROWNE, in.
SALT LAKE CITY, July %. 1892 Deputy.