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Show TRUTH 10 MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. We do not believe there is any justification for the action of the council in increasing the tax levy for this year one mill over the levy of last year. We believe the position taken by Mr. Black, that a levy of 9 mills is enough is correct, and he is entitled ta credit, although it was . plain his stand was taken for political effect only. He refused to discuss the matter in committee, preferring to make a grandstand play in open council. Still, we believe his contention was right. With property values Increasing levies for taxes should certainly not increase, but it seems that should the total as- sessed valuation double, the taxing authorities would continue keeping ' the levy to the limit, There is no incentive for assessors to Increase valuations, for it simply means increased taxes. When the Deseret News, some time ago, in a very kindly .and well written editorial, suggested to the county commissioners that with the greatly increased valuation in the county the the tax levy could be reduced without injustice to the public service, it was met with a tirade of abuse from the Tribune, abuse beyond question inspired by the fear that the people would hold the incompetent city council responsible, as the Tribune manager well knew the city administration has caused office after office to be created without necessity, just to give workers jobs. No matter how economically the county commissioners run the county, the city council seems determined to offset that economy by extravagance. There .is no need of this increased levy. If the council and mayor would get down to business and demand ef- ficiency in office expenses would be materially reduced. Why is it necessary to have in almost every department of the city double the force there was three or four years ago? There Is no more work, as the revenue of the city has not permitted any increase. When before did a mayor have a private secretary, paid by the city, the land and water commissioner a private secretary? Why is so much more help needed in the recorders office and in the water department? Will any one tell us how much time the heads of the departments give to the city. For instance, when is the recorder and the health officer to be found in their offices? They are receiving large salaries, and it is plain truth to say they are receiving these salaries for nothing. They attend to other business than that of the city. The recorder does not spend an hour a day in the recorders office, and the health commissioners chief business appears to be fighting bull dogs If these men were made to earn their salaries, superfluous private secretaries, clerks and help dispensed with, the tax levy could be reduced, instead of being increased. The increased places created by the a council and mayor take nearly mill of tax, and nearly all of these jobs were created to lessen the work of city officers that they might live in idleness or draw a second salary for running a coal or other business. The citizens should resent this levy. It is not necessary, it is the result of negligent administration of city affairs, and it is high time some action was taken which will result in getting into the office of mayor and city councilors competent business men, who know the value of money, and how administration for the past four years hard it Is for many people to pay the has been a model. The county, from been placed present taxes without being forced to a state of bankruptcy, has taxes have not in affluence, and the submit to an Increase. There should be something in the been increased. Strict economy and state law requiring councilmen to be business ability has wrought the taxpayers. No man has any business change, and the three county commis-it. to impose taxes on overburdened busi- sioners deserve much credit for ness men, widows and workingmen James H. Anderson, the chairman for who are struggling to maintain their four years, has been the strong man property and homes who is not him- of the board, and to him the principal self a taxpayer. Every fall honest credit is due. If the county knows and Industrious people in this city what is good for it it will retain him have to negotiate loans to meet their in office. J taxes, and Instead of giving relief an incompetent administration adds to Land and Water Commissioner We suggest to the tax- Luce feels that Truth did him an inpayers that some action be had to see justice last week in the strictures if some relief cannot be obtained. placed upon him in the matter of the beWhen Black, in his effort to keep division of Parleys canyon water the tax levy down, said that the pres- tween the farmers and the city by ent administration had not paid much which the latter got the worst of it. attention to the taxpayers, he was an- Mr. Luce says that while certain farswered by a A. J. Davis to the effect mers may have received more than were entitled to the division was that he was playing to the galleries, they on the same basis as in former years, and no doubt htf was, else he would and that he is powerless to do othhave urged his objections to the com- erwise until the courts pass upon the mittee as Well as on the floor. But question in a suit now pending. As to being allowed to run on city there is one thing sure in his play to livestock lands, Mr. Luce says he is vigilant in the galleries, Black told the solid keeping 'them off. but occasionally anias well and the others mals will break into forbidden pastruth, might tumble to that fact They can also tures in spite of all that can be done. Jl J tumble to another fact, that the taxIt is said Councilman Black is laypayers are sick and tired of having men force taxes upon them who do ing his wires to capture the Repubnot pay any themselves. The people lican mayoralty nomination next time. understand where the trouble is, when J J men can live in style and dress in The building inspection department style and enjoy life in comfort and is a scandal to the city. The buildease, attend all the shows, circuses and good things that come along, ing inspector, who receives a salary make journeys to distant cities, ride from the city, is also in the employ in Pullman cars and eat in dining of a real estate and home building cars, on the enormous salary of $35 in the capacity of supervisor of per month, there is a lot of thinking firm, going on. And by the time the next construction. In his capacity of city election rolls around that thinking building inspector, he issues building will become so loud that after elec- permits to the firm which employs him tion day a lot of men who now pose as supervisor of construction and still as councilmen will become has beens. Let us hope Black will continue his in his capacity of city building inspecplay to the galleries. The galleries in tor passes on the sufficiency of the this instance are the people, and they work done and the houses built unneed ail the play they can get that is der his own supervision for the firm calculated to bring relief. If the peo- which employs him. Councilman Marple would hold a mass meeting and tin is also in the employ of the same demand a lot of resignations they home building firm, and is in a posiwould confer a lasting benefit on the tion to be eminently useful to his emcity. ployers in getting watermain exten, sions, and other things through the The coming legislature should en- council. Taken all in all, this is the act legislation whereby cities of the most pusilanimous, weak, incompetent and corrupt administration Salt Lake state would not be obliged to have' so has had for many a year. Truth is Look councilmen. Lake Salt at many heartily ashamed of it and of the leadwith fifteen part it took in Its election. The City, councilmen, the ing Keams-Bruc- e Johnson ticket, even most of whom, as at present, are using with such an incubus as Senator their positions either to provide rela- Kearns hanging on to it would have tives with places or to work some been preferable. Frank Knox would grafts for their own benefit. Five have been a mayor who would have men would be ample, three would done things. He is a positive character and not a man with a backbone like probably be better. These should be an angle worm. paid good salaries and should be reo entire to to their time the quired give No Thought of Wrong. business. His heart was as great as the world, Any business man citys who conducted his business as that but there was no room in it to hold of the city is conducted, would soon the memory of a wrong. Emerson. o find himself bankrupt. Why should Strain on Locomotives. not the citys affairs be managed with The life of the locomotive is'becom-in- g th same economy and business sense shorter because of the heavier as those of the county? The county work which it is required to do. the burden. . - a - - WORKSHOP PHIL080PHY. Blackwell would Bridewell. put Morgan in Put not thy trust in judges unless you want to be enjoined. The peaceful auto hath its victims no less than the warlike torpedo. The delegates to a printers' convention are good types and bring cases with them. An industrial system built upon the labor of children is like the house built upon the sand. Faith overcometh all things, but a good trade union is a mighty big help toward overcoming bad trade conditions. Every tub must stand on its own bottom, but unless men are nothing mere than tubs they can brace each other up by standing together. Frank K. Foster, in Chicago American. . THE BACHELOR CYNIC. A cat may look at a spinster.- . t- I sometimes find great solace in the reflection that man was originally born a bachelor. Quite a long time since the paleozoic period, but I surmise that we are living in the stone age now judging from the hankering after rocks. If I were a conquering hero and I were going to decimate a community, I would first begin by picking out the men who sleep while their wives work. When I go into executive session to discuss the merits of a cold bottle of beer, the landlady is sure to send up a dish of ice cream and provoke an ad- journment When an ordinary m&tal breaks into wedlock ly a mild flurry is created. When a reputed bachelor accepts the shackles an entire community is both shocked and astounded. New York Telegraph. SOME RUSSIAN PROVERBS. Every writer is a bear who ought to be kept in chains. something grand in the name of Liberty but, can it feed one? ($aid after the emancipation of the serfs.) There 1s The house that hath no god or painted saint within Is not to be resorted to,' that roof Is full of sin. Led Cosmopolitan Existence. A plaintiff in the City of London court, who spoke with a strong Ger man accent, explained that he was a Scotchman, and although he was born and educated in France he was still a British subject. |