The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-03-07
A Momentous Question.

It is necessary to call the attention OF
taxpayers in this city and county to the
election which is to take place next Sat
urday. There seems to be very little in
terest taken in the matter. Yet it is of
great financial concern to every property
owner in the county. Only four days
more to think about the propriety of
running further into debt to the tune of
$500, 600. On Saturday the 18th inst, the
taxpayers are to decide whether they will
bond Salt Lake county for that amount.
The executive committee of the county
Democratic committee have already
through TIE HERALD, placed the
facts and figures pertinent to the
case before the public. Exclusive of
school bonds outside of this city, this
county is, or soon will be, under a
bonded indebtedness OF So, 125, 200. 1t is
now proposed to add $500, 600 more to the
sum total. This will altogether, at 5
per cent, make the interest to be paid by
the taxpayers no less than S171 ,250
year; and, with the amount necessary to
be raised for a sinking fund to pay off the
principal in twenty years, will foot up
SS42, 800 to be paid every year in taxes to
get out OF debt.
The question confronting US all is,
shall we plunge SO far into the gulf of
debt as is now proposed2 In conversing
with thoughtful people of all classes and
parties we find there is SOL
id feeling against the further bond
ing of the county, at present
at any rate. The opinion is there is no
absolute need for it. No doubt the county
authorities would like to have this snug
sum at their command. No doubt they
would like to have a big corps of men at
work who would be supporters of their
views. No doubt they would be able to
accomplish many things that would be of
some public benefit with this money to
draw upon. But considering the present
stringency in all business affairs and the
dubious prospects Immediately ahead, are
the taxpayers ready to vote for this further
burden of Indebtedness.
1t is not very long since the taxpayers
voted down similar proposition.
Are the circumstances changed at
all? Is there any more absolute
need for this incumbrance now than
there was then? The only difference in
affairs is difference in the constitution
of the county court. Members of diff
ferent party are in control. That does
not change the situation. The question
Is the same, it looks as though the objec-
tions are the same, and in all probability
the result will be the same-the majority
of the people will vote ''no'' on the propo-
sition to bond the county for 100000.
We state the matter as it now appears
that everybody interested may pay some
attention to it. Next Saturday it will
have to be decided. If people who want
to run into debt to the extent of $500, 900
do not go to the polls and vote
Bonds, yes.' they will be de-
prived of that glorious privilege.
If those who are opposed to the debt do
not cast their ballots for ''Bonds no, -
they will be involved with the rest of the
taxpayers whether they like it or not.
Every property owner in the county
should vote next Saturday on this i'm
portant issue. Let no one neglect his
duty. Let every man make his ballot ex-
press his honest convictions on tbs mo-
mentions question.