Governor Spry Correspondence, 1908-1916.

An account of the primary activities of Governor Spry's two terms in office has been preserved in this series. As chief executive of the state, the correspondence reflects his involvement in a wide range of important administrative matters. Described are his efforts to see completion of a permanent home for state government, to increase development of the state's natural resources, to improve irrigation and water rights, to establish higher standards for agricultural products, to upgrade banking practices, to institute more equitable taxation, to provide better working conditions for children, and to promote industrial safety. Contained in the series are letters from citizens, private institutions, and businesses requesting assistance and making suggestions; descriptions of legal positions; fiscal information; correspondence within state government, with officials from other states, and with officials from the federal government.

Well documented is Governor Spry's determination to seecompletion of a state capitol building during his administration. Due largely to his insistence, the legislature approved the creation of a Capitol Commission to assume responsibility for the project. Outlined are the planning, designing, and construction activities which resulted in completion of the building in October 1916, during Spry's second term.

Financial reports provide convincing evidence of the following activities: that it was common practice for railroads and mining interests to avoid a large share of taxes owed through under assessment and under reporting; that there was a huge discrepancy between funds reported to be in national banks of Utah by the comptroller and what was reported by the state auditor; that assessors reported close to a million less sheep than those discovered by sheep inspectors. In response to these findings a Board of Commissioners on Revenue and Taxation, appointed by the Governor, was asked to address these inequities. The legislature,responding to the Governor's reports and other evidence passed significant changes in the revenue laws to provide for accurate property assessment and more equitable taxation. Many banking laws were changed; a State Banking Department was created, with a commissioner appointed by the Governor, to examine Utah banks at least once yearly.