The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-10-19
r. M. BASKIN
For City Commissioner

As / am one Of the numerous candi-
dates for the Office Of city commission
er, and am soliciting the support of the
electors at coming primary election, and
was, as mayor from 1892 to 1896, the
head Of the city government, deem it
proper that I should briefly direct their
attention to what was accomplished
during my term, and what in my opin-
ion should be the policy Of the city gov
eTnment,
When elected as mayor il became my
duty to specially investigate existing
conditions and affairs Of the city, with
view Of ascertaining what the neces-
sites OF the city require should be done
Upon making such Investigation 1
found that the city had a large out
standing Indebtedness, besides had is
sued and sold municipal bonds up to
the limit prescribed by an act Of con.
gress, and that to do what the condi-
tions in the city made imperatively nec-
essary could only be accomplished by
increasing the sale of taxation or by is
suing and selling more bonds,
tion would have been burdensome to
the taxpayers at that time, and the nee
essary bonds could not be issued be-
cause of the limitation fixed by con-
gress. The city council having granted
me permission / went to Washington,
and In less than two weeks procured the
passage of an act of congress authoriz-
ing the city to issue $S00,000 additional
bonds.
During my term as mayor with the
proceeds of the sale of the long time
bonds which were issued and the or.
dlnary revenues OF the city adequate
waterworks were constructed and many
miles Of water mains of proper dimen-
sions were laid. The streets in the main
business portion of the city and many
miles Of sidewalks were paved Par
ley 8 park conduit was constructed. and
the water supply greatly increased; the
joint city and county building was
erected and it's grounds laid out and or
namented under my personal direction.
A crematory to consume deleterious ac-
and the city thoroughly cleaned, and
each alternate section Of railroad land
from the city to the summit at the head
Of City creek, consisting Of many thou
sand acres Of land and covering the wa
ters Of tho creek, were purchased for
the purpose Of protecting the water,
and the timber In the canyon. The
main gravity sewer, the utility Of which
cannot be overestimated, was construct
ed with dimensions large enough to
carry the sewage from every part of
the city to which 1t was expected, as
should be done, the system would be
extended. By issuing longtime bonds
the burden Of increased taxation was
avoided and portion Of the expense
of those Improvements, nearly all of
which are permanent, was saddled upon
q future generation, which would in
time enjoy the benefits Of the improve
ments.
Under my administration the CITY or
dinances were faithfully enforced. The
previous large indebtedness was paid
and the city received, in necessary and
indispensable improvements, an ade.
quate return for the money spent.
Tho following expresses my views re-
specting the policy OF the city govern
mept:
All necessary improvements Of the
city should be vigorously continued, be-
cause the interests of the community
require that this be done, as it will fur
Dish work for large number of worthy
laborers, who would otherwise be un-
able to obtain employment upon which
d.
In employing workmen by the city pref
erence should be given to our own peo-
pie rather than to foreigners.
The water supply Of the city should
be increased to an extent sufficient for
the use not only Of the present inhahi |
tants, but also for the use in the fu-
ture Of largely increasing population.
This I am positive can be done by an |
intelligent expenditure Of reasonable |
amount of money.
Our present improved parks are not |
largo enough for our rapidly growing |
city. An ample park should therefore !
be laid out on the land bought during
my term rs mayor, lying north of tho |
capitol grounds and covering City creek |
and it should be improved as RAPIDLY |
as possible, A park located there and |
laid out and improved would |
in time become one of the most mag
nificent and commodious parks In the
world. George D. Keyser, for what he
has accomplished respecting the parks
and Fairgrounds Of the city, Is entitled !
TO great credit. What he has done in |
that respect I heartily approve. and
shall vote for him at the coming pri-
mary election.
The sanitary conditions Of tho city
should be maintained by the employ.
ment Of an adequate number Of vigilant |
hnQ shlluul heatn omcers, and rigid !
Of the sanitary laws and
regulations.
The peace Of the city should be SO.
cured By the maintenance of an ade.
quate and sufficient police force, and a
proper enforcement Of the penal laws.
1t ts, however, unnecessary In enforcing
such laws to violate any Of the personal
rights guaranteed by the constitution
Of the United States and the stand of !,
the state Of Utah, both Of which con.
tain the following clause:
ffThe right of the people TO be SO.
cured in their persons. houses papers,
and effects, against unreasonable search
and seizure, shall not be violated, and
no warrant shall issue. but npnn nrnh