Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-09-21
THE POINT AT ISSUE.

The gentlemen representing the new
railway project, met with an enthusi-
astlc reception at the City and County
building last evening, and their PROPOSE
tons were loudly applauded by the
solid business men who were present
There was no opposition there, and we
have heard OF none elsewhere In this
city. to the advent OF the road from
Los Angeles. Nor is there any, we be-
lleye to the request for depot grounds
and franchises, which are necessary to
making Salt Lake the terminus Of the
line.
The single point Of difference appears
10 be on the granting Of Pioneer Square
for depot purposes. The sentimental
side Of this question, while It cuts some
figure, is not a formidable obstacle In
the way. OF course we would all like
to preserve that historic spot for the
purposes designed in its dedication as
public park forever. There are
memories that cling to the block which
are. In some minds. OF a sacred charac-
ter. But In this unitarian age they do
not weigh heavily against big material
advantages And that is not the turn
ing point in the controversy.
The real dispute is as to the power Of
the City Council to turn over that piece
Of public property 10 private cor
poration, for that or any other private
purpose. This must be squarely met
before anything definite is done In re-
gard 70 It.
supposlng the council now In office
possesses the power, under It's charter
or any State statute, TO undo the act
OF that body in 1895. Granting that one
city council may. by ordinance, dedi-
cate a square for a specified public use
forever, and the next city council may
take It back by ordinance or resolution,
or 'vacate' It, 10 use the legal term,
and devote II 20 another public purpose,
does II follow that either or any city
council can lawfully give It away, FOR
a private purpose to an individual or a
company That is the question TO be
solved.
There are eminent lawyers who main
tain that such an exercise Of authority
IS ultra wires 1t is not improbable that
81 the city council shall attemp, to
make the grant desired, an injunction
would be sued out and the question be
carried to che courts. The gentlemen
who seem 20 have set their hearts on
Pioneer Square, say they are willing 70
accept the grant and take chances as to
what may follow, or words 10 chat ef-
feet OF course they would have 10 DO
that in any event but they feel fully
assured that they would be able to
maintain their right end title TO the
property.
The Deseret News, In calling atten-
ton 10 this point does not wish 10 be
understood as opposing the proposition
TO comply with the wishes Of the rail-
way company In all essential respects.
The demand Tor depot grounds and
franchises is reasonable. II should re-
ceive encouragement and support We
all want the road It's promoters ask
Tor nothing unless Il Is completed by
the time that Is to be agreed upon,
That Is all right
But there are many OF our citizens
who believe that some other arrange
ment can be made as 20 depot grounds
than that now contemplated. which VIII
avoid any complications, legal or other
wise. and secure ample accommodatlons
for the purpose IN view. and also make
lt easier Tor the copmany 70 obtain It's
rights u way and land and facilities for
shops ana switches ana other necessary
aiilncB 60 .he mere space for a de-
pot. This matter should De viewed from
every standpoint and nothing De done In
TOO big a hurry u should be under
stood that the acquisition of one block
ot ground means much more. which
will be Of moment to people occupying
adjacent premises.
The News Is em9hatlcany In favor
OF The road and also OF granting all
that IL really necessary FOR IT'S terml.
nus In this city. The gentlemen man.
aging the affairs Of the road, may rest