The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-02-14
a LUMINOUS SUBJECT.

The postponement Of the lamp ordin-
ance for another week gives The Her
aid further opportunity to refer to this
important matter again That may be
unpleasant to q few Interested persons,
but to the great body of the taxpayers
it viii be different The Herald is not
to be gilenced on this matter to please
a few capitalists, as the presiding Off
Ger of the city council attempted to
silence Mr.. Watson on Tuesday night.
That was gross attempt at dicta-
torship which the whole body OF the
council ought to resent. We do not
want any Car business in our legis-
latiye bodies, whether territorial or
municipal. Councilman Watson had
the right to the floor on Tuesday night
and the presidents attempt to muzzle
him was high-handed tyranny The
fact that he had spoken on the sub
ject under discussion on other occa-
sions did not deprive him of the right
TO speak on it again when brought up
anew in the council. The president
should spend 90 cents and get a copy
of Roberts Rules of Order so as to
learn the limits of a chairman's legiti-
mate authority and the respect that is
due to members who have a right to
be heard.
It does not matter if the views Of
Mr.. Watson run counter to those Of
the president of the council. They are
those of the great body Of the people
of this city, who do not regard With
favor any attempt at domination by a
servant Of the citizens who seems to
want TO be their master. While a city
councillor is in order and is speaking
to question before the council no man
has the right to sit down on him, and
least of all the presiding officer, who
is simply in the chair 30 preserve or
der and protect each member in the
exercise Of his rights. He is not there
for a ruler. dictator or Grand Mogul
We take the liberty once more to
suggest to the council. that in attempt
ing TO apply those thirty years old
provisions to present conditions. they
are committing an anarchrOnism. The
regulation about three commissioners
to make an assessment on the real
estate (or land claims and improve
mentsl in proportion to the benefits
resulting thereto, was designed for the
city when it had but a, small popula-
ton and when such commission could
perform the needful work within a
reasonable time. in "a district or di-
vision OF the city.
Is it at all likely that any three men
no matter with how much ability. can
determine within the necessary period
how much each piece of real estate in
district embracing almost this entire
city is benefited by the street lamps
erected in the neighhorhood? By the
time that assessment is made and pro-
tests are heard and suits arising from,
resistance to the tax are determined
how much better off viii the treasury
be than if the levy is made in the
regular order and at the regular time
and which will meet with no litiga.
ton?
If the whole charter provision Is
read carefully it will be found that
the lighting of the streets is classed
with repairing the streets and similar
work which commonly comes out OF
the regular revenue, and that the spec
iaI assessment was provided for in case
of some special benefit to district or di
vision of the city. The real estate par
ticularly benefited was to be assessed
because of that benefit. In the present
instance it is a matter affecting the
whole city and its inhabitants. 1t is
no district or division benefit. 1t Is
for the convenience OF all people who
walk or ride upon the streets. 1t is
not to light the real estate COR land
claims and improvements" but to ligh
the streets Of the city for the comfort
convenience and welfare of all who use
The streets.
Nothing could be clearer, then, thar
| that the expense should be borne By
a general tax, to which the whole city
contributes The whole commission
business is needless, the plan it in
wolves is cumbersome, expensive an,
Unsatisfactory, and an ordinance frame,
to infict it on the people viii very
probably have to stand the test of {
judicial decision, when it is quite likely
to follow the fate of the sprinkling
tax.
The council had better make a dea
for the lighting to be- paid in the fall
assess a sufficient tax when the RICH
time comes, to cover all the expense,
for the fiscal year, light the street
pro bono publico and give general sat
isfaction to the citizens.
THE ICE ORDINANCE.