The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-01-24
THE coon OLD WAY.

The city council are still struggling
over the street lighting problem. How
not to do it, has been exemplifed in
the darkness of the outer wards at
might. HOW to do it is the question of
the hour. The whole trouble lies in
the determination of some members OF
that body to introduce an Innovation
Novelty is attractive, usually, to the
public. In this instance, it is not So
The people prefer ''the good old way
but those members seem to thirst after
something new.
The lack of money we know lies at
the root of the present evil. If it were
not for that there would probably be
no attempt to assess a special local
tax for a general public purpose. But
we do not believe the eXigency de-
mands the proposed eXpedient There
must be other ways to meet it and
they ought, in our opinion, to be fol-
loWed IN preference to any makeshift
1t rs a matter of doubt whether the
council propose to act under the char
ter OF 1865 or under the charter of 1883.
If the former, they cannot adopt the
front footage plan of assessments; if
the latter, they will face the contra
dfction OF assessing by the front foot
and hearing objections according to
the property valuation. That is unless
they proceed as authorized in the same
act, to levy sin proportion to the bene-
fits upon the property within the dis
trict, or levy and collect a general tax,
or draw upon the contingent fund for
the purpose.
Close analysis of sections 25S and 259
Of the act of 1883, fails to show any
right to assess by the front foot for
street lighting. 1t bestows power to pro
vide the city or the Inhabitants with
water. gas and other means of illumin-
alton by local assessments, if neces-
sary. But the front foot principle, 1t
will be seen, applies specifically and
! therefore solely to local taxes for sew
erS and drains, and even in that in
stance is not required, other methods
being left open to the council. A strict
construction, which would probably be
followed by the courts in rendering a
/ decision on charter provision, fails
/ to apply the front foot method to as
sassments for street lighting.
Suppose it We're adopted by the coun-
ell and fought by the citizens, where
would the money come from, mean
while, to pay for the expense of street
! lighting? Would it not come out OF tine
/ general fund? Why not take this mat.
ter fairly by the hand, instead of tax,
ing the taxpayers by the throat? The
probability, is that the city will fai
/ to enforce a. front foot. tax for stree
lighting, and we are sure it ought tc
fail because it is inequita'ole and i'm,
proper.
Street lighting is for a general public
purpose. Therefore it should he paid fol
out of the general public funds. Doe.
any member of the council take the
ground that a lamp erected on any
street crossing is put there for tht
special benefit of the property on Tht
| four corners? The idea is an absurd
ity. It is a. street light for THE benef
of the public, not "a private light merel!
for the benefit of adjacent property
1t should be classed with street repair
and other public improvements as i
always has been in this city.
But we haven't the money to pa,
for it," will be the rejoinder. Tha
does not justify a. departure from tn
regular, right and only consistent rule
bDevise means to raise the funds, no
lclothe the city in darkness or attemp
to introduce a, doubtful and unpopular
scheme to dodge the issue.
/ We repeat our suggestion that tn
best possible terms as to rate per lamp
be made with the company furnishing
the lights, with the understanding tina
the money shall not be due until mex
October or November. When the regu
lar levying time arrives, assess a ia,
specially for street lighting, or includ
at in the regular general tax, making
the rate high enough to cover the ex
lpenses for the ensuing year. That vii
solve the problem. That will avoi
the existing difficulty. That will say
a great deal of trouble. That is tn
straight and narrow way. Therei
our worried city fathers will find res
for their weary souls.