Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-11
Council Proceedings.

NOHu III Iuc CuulT.
Present--Messrs Mutually, Lips,
TIL ompson, Hollenbeck, Kercheval,
Jones, Potts, Cohn and Green.
Minutes of the last meeting read
and approved.
The City Judge reported the col
lection of $50 for fines. Report re-
ceived and ordered filed.
The Chief of Police reported the
number of arrests since the first oil
the month; also that lie had at
tended to certain orders Of the
Council; also that provision be
made for reimbursing officers who
have to leave the city in pursuit Of
fugItives. Referred to Police Com
mittee.
The City Clerk reported collec-
ton of $500 rent from City Water
Company. Filed.
The lax Collector reported col.
lecLi"ns of $4,30! 40 lakes, and
So, Z9l SO licenses since last report.
Mr.. Thompson moved that the
rep irt be referred TO the Police
Committee, with a request to as
certain what houses selling liquors
are doing the same without Ii
censes. Adopted.
The Health Officer suggested that
certain sanitary laws be euacted.
Referred to City Attorney.
The Committee on Water Supply
recommended no action OH appIl
cation of Stevenson q Haber, for
payment for work OH West Side
ditch. Adopted.
Recommend bond of $500 to It.
Baubury, aud one Of ST, goo to VIM.
Moore. Adopted.
The Finance Com mittee reported
the accounts of the Treasurer cor.
rect. Filed.
The City Attorney submitted the
following opinion:
70 the Mayor and Council of the
City of Los Ange es:
In regard to the question as to
whether the Council has the right
to modify the fees of the Tax Col.
lector during his term Of office, |
am very clear that it has that ri INT.
The charter does not fix his COM
pensation, but leaves it to your
Judgment aud discretion. A muni-
cipal corporation may, unless re-
strained by charter, or unless the
employment is in the nature of a
contract, reduce or otherwise regu-
late the salaries and fees OF its off,
GERS according to its views Of expe-
diency and right. Although an
officer may be elected or appointed
for fixed period, yet where he is
not bound and cannot be compelled
to serve for the whole time, such
election or appointment cannot be
considered = contract to hire for a
stipulated term. Ordinances fix
ing salaries are not in the nature of
contracts with officers. This APP
pears to be the view taken Of the
law by Judge Dillen in his work on
corporations. LSee Dillon on Mu-
nicipal Corporations, Sec. 170], and
IL supported by numerous auIhori-
ties. The charter, therefore, leav-
ing the matter OF the Tax Collec-
tors's fees to your discrstion, yOu
have the right to exercise it AS you
see fit. Respectfully,
JOHN F. GODFREY,
City Attorney.
Referred to special comm tLee
Of three, to report At next meeting.
The Committee on Parks report
ed that they had received three
bids Of $40 per month each for
taking care Of the parks, aud rec
ON mended that Mr., Petrola he re-
tanned at u salary of $40 per month.
Also, that better facilities for OBJ
tanning water be supplied. Adopted
The Board of Public Works r.
ported in the matter OF the opening
of Cullege street, and suggested
that when the same is done brick
culvert be subs ituIed for the pres
cut zAnja. Adopted, and the Clerk
instructed to advertise for bids.
Petition of cartmeu, asking that
all Wagons hauling in the city be
taxed alike. Referred to Fiuance
Com mittee.
Petition CT residents on Pearl
street, asking establish ment Of
grade aud construction of bridge
and cuiverts. Referred to Board OF
Public Works.
Bills of Sheriff, Robert Dodson
and Others were ordered paid.
Bill of Juds0n, Gltlette q Gibson,
of $1,000, for examining titles to
San Peurc street property, was re-
ferred to the Finance Committee.
Some little comment Was elected
with regard to the above, many of
the members denonuncing 1t as too
high.
Mr.. Cohn stated that Mr.. Foster
had been employed to do the work
at a salary of 800 per month, but
had thrown up the contract, aud
Judson, Gillette g. Gibson had been
substituted; but be did not see no W
such an enormous bill could have
been made.
Mr.. Lips moved that the old min
utes BIZ read regarding this matter.
Carried.
The Clerk read from the minutes
of February 18th and 2lst, 1877,
showing that Mr.. Foster had bee II
employed 1T 500 per month, and
that Judson, Gillette g. Gibson had
been substituted, but that nothing
was said as to their c0mpsnsation.
Mr.. Thompson moved that no
more work Of this kind be done
without special contract from the
city. Carried.
Messrs. Green, Jones and Mutually
were appointed special committee
in the matter Of the extension OF
Olive street.
Mr.. Stevenson addressed the
Council in the matter Of his ditch
contract, complaining that he suf-
fered from the city'sagents turning
off water above him, much to the
dstriment OF the work; also, com
planned Of injustice In Withholding
from him a bond for $1,000, to
which he claimed he was entitled.
On motion Of Mr.. Coin, the
NlArH RAD fhA annni So NJ A, 4,