The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-21

lature memOTi9lizeC congress to eXpSnd
several hundred thousand dollars in the
reconstruction of that garrison; but the
benefit of that memorial has largely
been lost, because the business inter-
ests most affec' d have not evidenced
even a passing interest in the PROPOSE
ton. There is nothing more true than
the saving. that those are best helped
who help themselves"
Fort Douglas is at once one of the
most important and most diiapidated
military centers in the United States.
It is veritable ruin, and as such, Is
as much of a disgrace to the govern
ment that maintains it, as it is TO the
people of the fiourishing city near 1t,
who bear it in its present condition
without protest. The fort is by no
means a mean factor in the trade OF
Salt Lake, 100000. l am informed by
Colonel Kent, come to US from there
every year. The trade we receive from
it should be made permanent. and the
best way to make it so, is 10 have the
fort rebuilt into a modern military gar
rison so that there will be hereafter no
excuse for its abandonment. The money
necessary TO its rebuilding will amount
to at least $500, 0O0-a very large part OF
which would find its way into Salt
Lake, and greatly enhance our trade.
Add to this 100000 which the fort
yearly pays the city, and the gross
sum we would receive during the year
of construction would be over three
quarters of a million.
am informed that Colonel Kent, the
last commanding officer, was ready TO
recommend through military channels,
its entire reconstruction; and / believe
that our representatives in congress, IL
appealed to by overwhelming public
sentiment, would assiduously labor for
large appropriation for this recon-
struction, and further, l believe that
with proper. effort the west front OF
the reservation can be secured by = On
gressional grant as an addition to the
city's lands. and that, in coming years,
it can be made into public park which
Will be the pride of our people. and
the envy of the people of every other
city.
Would these changes benefit US, and
are they worth the effort TO bring them
about? If they will and are what are
we doing in the premises? Nothing, as
we are doing nothing in relation to
thousand other matters of grave i'm
portance and which only await united
action and demand for their accom-
plishment.
suppose our congressional delegates
would feel like doing something in
Washington. if there was anything like
an unanimous appeal made upon them;
and 1 suppose too. that if no such at
tempt is made, they will not trouble
themselves with the effort.
MORTGAGE TAX
LAW.
The last legislature of Utah enacted
a law FOR the taxation of mortgages
the operation of which has already been
most DISASTROUS to the interests of our
own people. Intended to affect all alike
its practical workings have been to
affect only Utah people having money
to loan. and to put them at an unfair
disadvantage with the citizens of other
states who send money here to loan.
The Utah man pays tax upon the
money he loans because his property
can be reached by the process of law.
The nonresident loans his money in
the state and pays no tax. because, so
far as Utah's processes will reach, he
is execution proof.
This legislation against our own peo-
pie might perhaps have been prevented
had the business men of this commu-
of whom are directly or indi-
rectly affected by it-voiced their pro-
tests when the bill for the law was
and this unfair law may yet
be repealed if there is concert of ac-
tionaI convention had the matter of
mortgage taxation under consideration
the chamber earnestly opposed any ac-
ton, and succeeded in preventing the
adoption of a mandatory provision.
This is but one illustration of the
many evils which unity of effort can
probably overcome.
We have heard very much of late
about the need of reform in political
nj 4
struction of old party lines and such a
boom for non-partisanship that q man
without a party is a familiar spectacle
upon our streets. The chamber Of
commerce of Cleveland, o., without
ever once being charged with partisan-
ship, approached the subject of munich
pal reform, on the theory that the con-
duct of the city business, the shaping
Of public improvements and the exist
ance of respect for law and order were
all essentials to business prosperity. 1t
amended it's constitution, invited into
its membership representative citizens
engaged in business or profess
sional occupations, and began work in
this broad field Of usefulness. AS a re-
suit of this the governmental affairs
Of Cleveland are today in the hands OF
men distinguished for their wisdom,
honor and sound judgment-men who,
as ofFice-holders. honor the community
and dignity the public service.
Municipal politics are, after all, a
proposition. A man who pays
taxes on $4,000 is interested in it just
to that extent in dollars and cents. II
the tax is 81 mills. then he pays S270
every year for public education, i'm
and for protection.
The Cleveland chamber of commerce
some time ago directed its efforts to
the planning Of an extensive system
Of public grounds and roadways, and
because of that Cleveland has an an
distinctly its own-but then
they do these things better in Cleveland
and France. How would it do to make
an effort in that kind here?
MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING.
The records of my Office show that
the following members have paid their
dues and are entitled to vote at this
meeting:
James Anderson S. H. Auerhach,
Charles Auer, John Beck, Galloway,
Hoock &. Frances, Joseph e. Game,
Spe ncer Clawson, Nephi W. Clayton, w.
T. Cotton, Continental Oil company, Co
ope rative Wagon & Machine company,
r. =. Colborn, Consolidated Implement
company, J. c. Cutler, Thomas II. Cut
Ter. j. J. Dolly, w. II. Dale, II. Din
woodey, L. w. Dittman, c. L. DiSno-
witty. John w. Donnellan, George M.
Downey, Sam NJ. DOnnell, A. F. Dore-
mus. j. E. Dolly. Druehl & Franken,
E. w. Duncan, S. w. 41ceies, simon
Eiseman, Joseph Enzensperger, L. Ii.
6. F. Fenton. ]. p. Gard
ner. f. w. Center, w. S. Henderson, ].
w. Haywood, George w. HentZ, f. j.
Hill. Jerome Hirschman, James Hogle,
G.. S. Holmes, Home Fire Insurance
J. ]. Judson, NJ. Kopp, II. w.
Lawrence. ]. II. Leyson & Co.. ]. H.
Linck, George A. Lowe, w. p. Lynn.
c. s. MARYLAND, Richard Macintosh,
S. b. Miner, L. c. Miller. S. w. Morri-
son. p. ]. Moran, NJ. Z. Mulvey & Co.,
T. p Mulloy, w. A. Nelden. W. p.