Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-04-15

the canal companies might lawfully
Join with the city in that project, why
may not the city now Join with those
companies IN erecting a pumping plant
to secure an increase OF water for the
use Of the same parties?
The City Attorney might as well, and
perhaps with better show OF reason and
law, contend that under the Consttu-
ton OF the State the city has no right
to enter into an agreement with lndi-
yidual citizen for the extension OF wa
ter mains to residences. the city bear
ing part Of the expense and the indi-
viduals benefited another part OF the
cost There could scarcely be a more
absurd attempt at Wrestling a plain pro-
vision Of our organic law, to suit the
whims Of a public officer determined 10
oppose public measure that does not
suit his private opinion.
The city Is engaged In suits at law
for the protection Of It's rights to the
use Of water from Utah Lake on which
Il depends for Us supply, and which is
absolutely necessary TO the welfare,
comfort and convenience Of its inhab-
itants The canal companies drawing
water from the same source, are mutu-
ally interested with the city In the
prosecution Of those suits. II the res
olutlon adopted by the City Council
goes into force, those companies win
Join with the city In the litigation,
bearing their portion Of the expense.
Does the City Attorney mean to say
that the State Constitution forbids such
a jolnture2
When the application was made by
representatives. Of some OF the canal
companies to the city committee, to ef-
feet this union Of action to secure need
ful water, some expressions were used
urging the city to be mindful OF the
rights of those companies as well as of
It's own; and the great loss that would
come TO the people Of this country from
lack Of water, unless there should be a
unity OF effort among the water-tak-
ers, was set forth In glowing terms.
The City Attorney now takes adyan-
tage Of those remarks, and with petty |
special pleading, which one would not |
expect outside Of the lowest police
court, rings them in to show that the !
city is expected to Tend its credit
for the benefit Of those companies, and
that "the very evil prohibited by the
Constitution is proposed under the pop
ular gulse Of philanthropy"
Did the City Council In passing the
resolution proceed along those lines? Is
II proposed to engage in project from
any motives OF philanthropy? Does the
city intend to "lend its credit to any
person or corporation for any private
purpose2 Is not one Of the conditions
on which the city proposes to join with
the canal companies, IN measures to Sc
cure water for the benefit Of the city
rs well as OF those companies, the pay
ment by the latter Of their proportion
Of money already expended by the city,
in work for a similar purpose In which
MI the parties are mutually interested?
The resolution does not propose to do
anything which win not be for the d.
rect benefit OF the city. IT is not to
give away one pint Of water that viii
legally belong TO It by the increase to
be gained. to any canal company or
The subterfuge used by
The City Attorney in this connection is
lust as weak, and much more paltry,
han his peryersion Of the clause he has
'ited from the Constitution.
1t Is asserted In an attempt to bolster
Up the learned CD opinion Of the attor- {
ley that one OF the canal companies !
las drawn out OF the combine" That
s not correct, The North Jordan Canal |
company has not at any time agreed {
q unite with the other companies for {
he erection Of the pumping plant II {
vas supposed that It would join with I
he others when the resolution OF the {
lily Council was adopted. But since I
hat company refused to take that
tep, the other three companies have
greed to bear the extra proportion Of
he expense already referred 10, caused
y that refusal, The proposition remains
he same, The city win have the full
'eneht Of the increase Of water gained
" pumping II into the channel, and Il
GEMS remarkable that obstacles should
'e thrown In the way Of this necessary
Increase, by officials who are expected p
0 consider the public needs and view
hem as far IN advance Of their prl-
ate opinions and projects. I
The Deseret News has not taken up
he question Of the practicability and
ornament benefits Of the pumping I
cheme. We do not know enough about b
he apparatus and the probabilities Of
Is success TO say much concerning It.
We have confined our remarks to the :
hallow arguments, chop logic and mis-
OF plain constitutional
roysions, on which the Mayors veto
as been founded. 1t Is a pity that the ,
hlet executive OF this city does not
now something about the laws and
he Constitution OF this State himself, /
nd it is greater pity that after the I
rlovous mistakes Of the City Attor-
ey on other simple propositions, he
as not sought legal advice from COM &
etent sources, 80 that his actions b
hen taken shall not appear supreme
y ridiculous.
THE LiPPINE STORIES. 4,
II Is but too clear that II ever a Con-
ressional investigation was called FOR s.