The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-06

a harvest from her gold bearing veins
as she has heretofore obtained from
her silver properties. Less than six
months of real activity in the search
for GOLD has resulted in the discovery
of the presence of that metal in pay
ing quantities in many portions of the
state il IS believed these discoveries
win lead to sim greater discoveries.
and that Utah will in the next two or
three years be classed among the lead
ing gold producing commemorative of
the country.
STATEHOOD.
But the event OF events of the year
the one which gave US the greatest
pleasure in its happening. the one
which will longer than any other, exer-
else its benefcent influence over the
people and property of this state, was
Utah's admission to sovereignty.
This change in our form of govern
ment. this elevation of our people to
the full rights of citizenship, will be
productive of great good to US. 1t will
furnish conclusive evidence that the
unhappy local differences of the past,
exist among US no longer; it viii in
duce thousands in the over populated
districts of the east to make their
open with its mighty hands the closed
doors of our resources; it will double
the population of this city within ten
years; it viii make of Utah a rich and
populous commonwealth; it will give
US three votes in the congress Of the
United States on every question af-
fecting the progress and prosperity of
this republic. 1t was a blessing long
withheld from us. Add to it, what we
had before in perfect climate. scenic
splendors, in curative springs, briny
lakes, agricultural domain and in
eXhaustible mineral fields, and then, if
Utah does not become a great state.
and Salt Lake great city. it will be
because we reverse, by our conduct,
the old saving, and make it read God
proposes and man disposes."
THE HOUR HAS COME.
Truly. there never was time like
the present for united and persistent
effort, never time 50 suspicious for
the people to kick the slumbering form
of public spirit into sensibility, and
make it do its work. The past with its
disappointments and disasters are be-
hind Us, but behind US also, are our
We may turn to the
future, brilliant with promise, without
fear of failure. if we will but utilize, by
concerted action, and earnestness OF
purpose. the golden opportunities of the
present.
THE YEAR REVIEWED.
The pleasure [ feel in reporting the
successes of the chamber during the
past year is marred, in a measure, by
regrets that some failures must be an
rThoea T,ec-r-ate I1oy1-ayratT. "a
mitigated by the consciousness that
both the spirit and the flesh of those
lately charged with the management
OF the affairs of the corporation have
been willing, and that whatever fail
ures have come to US are attributable
to the spirit of Indifference to effort,
which seems to characterize the masses
o. the people of this city.
When the career of this administra-
ton opened, it was argued that the
chamber could only become effective
through the influence and aio vi
strong and enduring membership.
As one step toward this end it was
determined to give the chamber every
appearance Of responsibility and stand
ing. We found the place very much
dilapidated, the exhibit unclassified
and dust covered, and the inference
was reasonable, that with these con-
ditions removed, and clean commodi-
Gus and attractive rooms opened, the
public would be more inclined to sup
port the institution. The work of rem
ovation and improvement was there
fore Immediately entered upon. Doors
were cut connecting the office of the
secretary with other rooms in front
of the building; the floors We're covered
with new carpets, the walls were deco
rated, attractive signs placed upon the
windows. the exhibit was removed from
this room, classified, and arranged in
an attractive manner in the newly
furnished portions of the building. The
next step taken was to bring the al
tered appearance of the chamber TO
the notice Of the people in order that
they might see our good work. and
renew their interest. Therefore we
held reception in the rooms, and in
Vited thereto representative men. their
wives and friends This reception &C.
CURED in the month of June, and was
attended by several hundred people. 1t
VIII be remembered among the pleas
ant social events of the year. The ey-
pense Of these changes. and of this re-
ceptlon. was considerable. nearly the
amount Of the years deficit. but we
incurred it in the belief that the pub.
lie would respond and that it would
be the means Of putting the institution
upon an effective basis / regret To
say the desired and expected result
was not attained. The flowing tide
AID not come in. The rooms. were adj
nired. the directors were commended
-or their enterprise and taste, but moth
ing else came of it. Undiscouraged bv
-nls failure. and unawed by indiffer-
rec, the directory then divided itself
ITO committees of two and made q
y stematlc canvass of the business mon
u the city. personally soliciting them
or their own, and their country's good
70 add their names to the membersbin
lst- AS a result CT these efforts. A few
names were secured-per.Saps enoue[,
20 compensate the institution for those
VINO nave fallen by the way-side dur
ng the year, but not enough TO enable
The chamber to close this wear of lie
existence free from debt. RecaIlinp
the incidents of that canvass if is
astonishing how much apathy existed
md how few men were found
who were willing to do anything to-
wards promoting the growth and pros
oerity of the city All sorts of excuses
we're offered for not joining hands with
is and many were the men. of reputed
wealth. in active business, asking and
the trade OF their fellow
citizens, who said they really could NOT
afford to pay one dollar a month in
lues"
"Ohl it was pitiful in a whole CITY
un, that so few were found who were