Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-02-11


train, in company with small party
bound for flying trip to the "coming
city, and designing to return on the
following morning. Our last proceed
ing visit to the beach at this point had
been made before the completion of
the railroad, and hence we were glad
enough TO dispense with the long te-
dious and oft-times dusty wagon road
for broad-guage and Il fair rate of
speed. The trip-variously estimated
at from twelve TO eigteen miles, is
made in about forty minutes. At this
time of the year it is altogether an ex-
ceedingly pleasant journey, as you
whirl along down the valley through
the green fields of the Cienega and the
Ballona.
A TWo-BIT swINDLE.
Without a wish to be eaptious or
over exactings we are still compelled
to enter our protest against practice
in vogue upon the railroad which we
consider highly penurous and mean
to the last degree in a Railroad Conn
pany. The Santa Monica depot has
been established some distance this
side of the village proper, (by which
we mean the Beach hotel wharf, &C.,
the intervening space being perhaps a
quarter Of mile. When the train ar
rives at the station, the conductor
shouts, "Santa MonicaW and if YOU
wish to go the quarter mile further to
the beach, you must pay 25 cents more.
We might expect such trick as this
in a hack driver, but in roailroad
supposed to be inaugurated for the
benefit of the dear public it looks
queer. Twenty-Five cents for a quar-
ter or half mile on the end of a ride is
very good mileage, and if the Com
pany could only arrange few dozen
of these cut-offs along the line and at
this end, they could realize hand
somely from the movement. We have
not been deferred from mentioning
this trick through its very insignifi-
cance, as is usually Il = case, for, as
the poet says, if "a lie that is half
lie, is ever the worst of Iies,n thenthe
same principle will apply to little ex-
tortions like this.
PROGRESS.
We found upon arrival at Santa
Monica that the town had grown
apace since our preceding visit, and
had really begun to assume metropol-
itan airs. In that time some very
creditable buildings had made their
appearance, among which we note the
Club House, the Ocean House, the
railroad car shops and the residence of
Mr.. HI. Lucas, now in course of erec-
ton. We will say that the Club
House, under the skillful manage
ment of Major Tyus,is is one of the most
complete, tasty, and altogether the
most cosy affair of its kind that we
have ever seen. The Major is an affa-
ble and cultivated gentleman, and he
has a thorough knowledge of his busi-
ness and full appreciation of the
wants of Santa Monica. He intends
to place his establishment in the most
complete order for the large business
which will crowd upon him when the
bathing season opens. Besides the
bar, which will compare favOrably
with the best in Los Angeles, there is
u wine room, a card room and recep-
tion room, nicely furnished and sup
piled with a piano. We wish the Ma
jor abundant success in his enterprise.
THE SANTA MONICA HOTEL.
Is now owned and conducted by Mr..
Chapman, we'll known throughout
Southern California. We We're pleased
to find the house largely patronized,
and what is more to the point, con-
Quoted on really first-class principles.
Mr. Chapman has but recently taken
charge of the hotel, but he has already
inaugurated some valuable improve
ments, and he contemplates others
more extensive for the warm weather
and the large number of visitors COM
ing. He proposes to build an addition
which will contain some sixty rooms
and suites, each of which is to be pro-
vided with fire and all modern inn
Santa Monica hotel will be one of the
most complete in Southern California,
and delightful watering-place resort.
Mr.. Chapman extended every cour-
tesy to our party, and as tribute we
pronounce him the prince of land
lords. May he live long in the land.
PERSONAL.
We formed many other pleasant ac-
quaintances among whom were Mr..
Scott, the station agent and wharfin-
ger, and Mr.. Ford, an attache of the
railroad. We also had the pleasure of
shaking some old friends by the hand.
MIR. 5. Z. Hough, a former railroad
man and now in the real estate and
insurance business, is loud in his
praises of Santa Monica, and more
confident than ever in his ability as a
pedestrian. Mr.. w. M. Williams rep.
resents Uncle Sam as postmaster, and
is very popular with the Santa Moni-
cans. Mr.. Ed O'Melveny, of Los An
geles, is in charge Of the telegraph
office at the end of the wharf. He was
badly shaken up on the night of the
heavy wind, but still holds his post
undismayed Our brother quill, Fish
er, of the Outlook, (formerly of Will
mington) was among the rest and fill
Ell out the Jolly compliment.
THE STORM
of Tuesday night was the most severe
of the season on the coast and it bang
ed things around at a lively rate, but
did no serious damage. Many doors
and windows were blown in, and
houses drenched by the rain. A
schooner tied up at the wharf was
damaged to the extent of Shl or SlnQ