Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-10-26
A CAPITAL QUESTION


II IS very well known that Cheyenne
Is the capital Of the state Of wyoming.
II 30 not so widely known that efforts
are being made 10 remove the state
capital 10 some other point more geo-
graphically central The statute Of the
state respecting the capital requires the
submission OF the question Of us future
location 10 the vote Of the citizens at
the election n 1904, This may not DE
a permanent settlement OF the ques-
lion. because whatever the result OF
the vote may be- this year a change
could be made by a constitutional
amendment whenever two-thlrds Of the
voters should so decide. But the agl-
,atlon now IN motion IS Of serious COM
sequence to our nolghborlng State for
several reasons. It ls therefore caus-
ing much strong feeling and some
strenuous competition
The claimants for the capita as OPP
posed 10 Cheyenne are casper Lander
and Rock Springs. The last-named
place however is not urged very strong
". as II Is not really central loca-
lion. II ls about conceded that IN the
distribution OF State edlhces. Laramie
Is to have the university Rawilns the
pententIary and Evanston the insane
asylum. An agricultural college is
talked Of for Lander. Cheyenne already
has the capitol, which cost nearly $500
OOO and is very fine and suitable
building, OF which the people are Justly
proud,
Lander and Casper are more centrally
situated than Cheyenne Is. looking az
the map for the area Of the state. But
Lander has no railroad connection and
Casper has. we believe but a single
cross country line, while Cheyenne is
noted railway city and Is
accessible therefore from the most
populous parts Of Wyoming, to say
nothing Of the country at large. Twelve
splendid passenger trains arrive at and
leave It every day besides three mixed
trains and numerous freight trains for
all points, and further lines are project
cd II Is therefore much better suited
TO the people Of Unta county, where so
many Utah people have settled, than
either OF the other places named as
they can reach II readily by rail- and IL
IL so for the most populous sections Of
the state So much for It's accessibility
Cheyenne appears to be the favorlte
IN the race Tor The capital Of the most
influential Wyoming papers, outside
az we'll as inside that city II has held
that position for thlrty-hve years by
legislative enactment, 10 remained
there during territorial days and has
continued since statehood by consttu-
tlonal provision Ils advantages as q
business centre are conceded II has
the imposing State building which has
served lbs purposes Veil An the pub
lic offices necessary n such a structure
are there Us legislative halls are am
pie and convenient and there really
seems no need 20 build another such
edlhce even II Cheyenne Is not centrally
situated
The question Of expense Is a very I'M.
rortant point for consideration The
bonding power OF the state is limited
only one per cent Of the assessed valu.
alton OF property therein may be bor-
rowed. The total valuation this year
is Sie6o693S The fun sum to be OBJ.
tained by bonds therefore would be
si66,693 OF that amount t26OOOO has
already been raised at six per cent In.
forest. The balance left is but 2O6693,
Now where is the good financial sense
Of running to the limit in order to build
new capitol which, at 100000 is not
likely to rival the present structure.
and leave no margin for other purposes?
It il evident tina, increased taxation
would be the result and Il is Tor the
taxpayers OF the state to say on No
yember whether they desire the extra
burden, when they already have what
is needed for q capitol, ana Is likely "a
suffice for some years TO come
Suppose that Tor the sake OF pleasing
the people In the nelghborhood OF Cas-.
per or Of Lander the change wa.
made. the bonded debt incurred 20 the
limit, a new capitol erected with n.
sufficient accommodations Tor an nee.
ossary state purposes. what would bs
done with the expensive structure va
Gated at Cheyenne? The ambition OF
the towns named may be laudabl,
enough, but where would be the fnau.
clal wisdom Of feeding It, at such d
great cost TO the entire taxpayIul
population Of the state.
There Is little probability OF either Of
the places mentioned obtaining The TO-
cation, because the votes against Chey.
enne would be go much divided There
Nhhll lNl nf tNVuhN ANl ilNNel ilhlil
ant. Why then need Cheyenne care, Il
may be asked7 For the reason thai
unless the majority Of votes IS cast fol
Cheyenne The matter VIII remain AT
open question. TO the further unsettllnr
OF affairs the opportunity for more agl
tatlon. the probability OF heartbuInlngs
wlrepulllngs, contentious and il-feel
ngs, These can be settled for SONS
time by the casting OF the majority
OF the ballots for Cheyenne at the Nov,
emher election.
We'll, somebody win inquire what Is
that to Utah or TO the Deseret News
This much: Utah is interested in th'