The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-15

of establishing three sugar factories
| in different parts of California. He
! states that he will invest million dol
| lars in this enterprise. How does this
| tally with the Republican claim that
sugar works cannot be established in
| this country unless aided by govern
ment bounties from the state or the
nation or both?
Claus Spreckels is considered a pref
| ty good judge as to the prospects of a
business venture particularly in refer
ence to sugar. If he can establish SUI
gar works and is willing to invest a
million dollars in them without a boun-
~ it would appear to be no such i'm
possible venture for other capitalists
and promoters of home industries.
There has been much contradictory
talk in Utah on this question. 1t has
been declared that the state legisla-
ture will pass a law providing for
sugar bounty Then it has been con-
tended that such a law cannot be
passed under the state constitution.
These opposite sentiments have been
expressed by Republicans and used
rs different occasions required during
the late campaign.
We hope the Republican state leg
stature will be more considerate than
the only Republican territorial legis-
1ature was. That body not only passed
:: bill for bounties without providing
Cor the means to pay them, but created
of hay ioJo
IS no revenue. That body ought to have
been a sickener to the people on Re-
publican lawmakers. Let us hope that
the next lot will have more sense and
less eXtrava gance.
But e is a mistake to think that
under our state constitution no boun-
ties can be granted. There is nothing
in the instrument directly prohibiting
those special privileges. The credit of
the state or any of its political sub
divisions may not be lent to any in
dividual or corporate enterprise or I'M
dertaking, nor may the state or any
of its subdivisions take stock in such
granting of an appropriation in their
aid by way of bounties.
1t is therefore possible for the state
legislature to carry out the heresy Of
the Republican party in this respect
and vote away the money of the
people in aid of a private enterprise
But if the limit of debt is respected,
the limit of taxation will prevent any
very great extravaganza in that direc-
ton. unless the same recklessness as
to the means to meet it is displayed
by the coming legislative body as was
exhibited by the last.
There will be one thing however in
the way of the bounty fends; it is
the principle of justice and equity
that is behind yet superior to all writ
ten instruments. Taxation must be
for public purpose. The money OBJ
tanned by taxation can be Justly ap-
piled to public purposes only. There
fore law to give away to private con-
Germs the money taken from the tax
payers for the expenses of government,
is void from its beginning and will
not stand the test of fair and COM
petent courts.
If capitalists are willing to invest
money in sugar works or other indus
trial enterprises, and the people choose
voluntarily to make up bonus or
give a tract of land or join in any way
to aid and encourage such investment.
that is all right and proper. But the
diversion OF public funds for such
purposes is robbery and should be re-
sisted to the last extremity, even if
ngaged in by men elected by the
majority of the citizens to frame the
laws. A principle is involved that is
superior to the letter of legislative en-
actments. that should govern them and |
if it does not will be recognized and |
upheld by an enlightened judiciary.