The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1898-09-10
"urAH couNTYS FINANCIAL
RECORD"

Under the above head the Enquirer
of last Wednesday issues most mis-
leading and unfair statement. Unfair,
not because the figures are incorrect,
but because the luferences are unfairly
drawn. The statement referred to Is
an alleged comparison between our
present financial condition and that of
1893. In the commencement IL might
be well tor us to ask why the Enquirer
should select 1893 instead of some other
year which more nearly approaches
present conditions. We wish to say
that the present Indebtedness OF the
county given as si5, 0oeis an item carried
over from the days of territorial rule,
originally $4,000, reduced during the
present administration $4,000. and that
no part OF the Indebtedness was con-
tracted by the present Democratic ad-
ministiaton. The Enquirer states
that revenue has increased since 1893;
true, since under Statehood all fees
formerly going 40 the officers now goes
into the county treasury. The Enquirer
states that salaries have increased
since 1898; true, because now the entire
revenue OF the officers comes from a
stated salary while in 1893 the major
part was in fees, which are now
covered into the county treasury. As
an example Of this changed condition,
we can say that the fees and salary OF
the county recorder IN 1893 amounted
to nearly $4,000, while the salary and
entire compensation In 1893 Is 5000.
Most of the people of Utah county adj
vocated Statehood, knowing that there
must be increased expenses with new
conditions. In 1893 the county attor-
ney only handled county business at a
small salary. now that officer has the
conduct Of all the criminal business,
State and National, and salary must
be raised commensurate with services
required. Under territorial rule the
United States or the territory paid for
all criminal prosecutions amounting in
1893 to nearly $4,000, now this ex-
pensc must all be borne by the county.
AS an example Of the cause OF in
creased expenses under Statehood we
will say that the election expenses of
1896. to the county, were Increased be-
cause OF Statehood 2,7494i, all of
which In 1893 was paid by the Federal
government. The civil jury list in
1907 amounted to 81, 2o5.60, which in
1893 was not an expense to the county.
I'he Enquirer compares road expendi-
lures In 1893 and 1893. Does the En-.
quirer forget the building OF the bridge
across Provo river in 1893, which fully
accounts for the difference? Both re.
ceipts and expenditures have ncces-
sarily increased under Statehood and
the people were well aware Of such a
resultant condition before they voted
for the change. In point OF fact, with
the fee system eliminated, the salaries
Of county officers are now lower than
they were in 1893, and che Enquirer
and all the reading public admit that
fact. In the EnQulrer's article OF
"Wednesday an attempt is apparently
made to cast discredit upon the board
Of county commissioners. yet In Thurs
days issue the same paper says:
"Messrs. Peery and Bullock have
gained the confidence of the people oil
the county during their last term"
Thursdays estimate is doubtless cor
rect. The Enquirer is simply bun
die Of poli,ics.ridden inconsistent es
and the recent issues show that it'
condition Is daily growing worse. II
possible. We believe the people hav,
confidence in the conduct of theil
affairs by the present government, and
: that such spasms as appeared in Wed
nesday's issue OF the Republican orgar
will only cement the confidence of tn,
people IN their servants represented b,
the Democratic party.