Letter to Ammon Meshach Tenney, 25 May 1880
Mr. A. M. Tenney,
Dear Brother;
I received your two letters May 7 and 8, and ^they^ have been read to Bro.
Taylor, and we are all pleased that things are as well as they are with you.
A few items I wish to speak of. We sent word to the Priests and Bishops to assist
in paying for the purchase of St. John in case of necessity, but as they can have
no demand upon you until next November perhaps by that time there may be help
enough to pay for the place without borrowing the Church stock, at least it might
be well to let it rest until fall to see what position you will be in.
Concerning taking contracts on the railroad I think that would be well, but
I think the Presidents of the Stakes should be consulted and a Committee appointed
and some man chosen to make these contracts for the people who will do justice by
the people and not pocket one half the people's earnings by their lax^b^or. Of
course any man who takes these contracts on the railroad should be well paid for
his labors. But there is so much speculation in taking railroad contracts that
it wants to be well guarded. This work should be done through the Board of Trade
or a Committee appointed by the people. But one thing should be guarded against,
the Mormons should not underbid each other but get as much as they can for the
work. Our people should grade all the railroad that goes through our settlements
and if they act wisely they can get a good price for it. I think it would be well
to consult with Jesse N. Smith and Lot Smith on the subject, as the work will
have to be done by those stakes.
You will want to unite together upon that work, and all act honestly with
each other, and let each have what he earns. I think the grading of that rail-
road will give profitable business to many of our people.
Again Bro. Watkins gave me an account of some political or Elections matters
with you concerning sending the next Delegate to Congress. I want to say concern-
ing this matter. It is one of the most delicate things between this church and
the Gentiles. There should be no step taken by any of the Saints upon this subject
