Daily Los Angeles herald., 1879-12-13
Council Proceedings.

Present-Baucnet, BGcKi buchau-
an, Bliss, Green, Kuhrts, McDon-
aid, Meinzer, Monroe. Spence,
Schumacher, Workman.
The President announced that
the first business in order would be
the reading of the
MAYORS MESSAGE.
To the Honorable, the Council Of
! the city of Los angeles, Cat.:
GENTLEMEN: In obedience to the
custom of my predecessors in the
office of Mayor, lay before you a
statement of the affairs of the city,
and lake this occasion to offer a
few suggestions to the incoming
Council.
As the prosperity OF the commun-
ity is the chief object of this munic-
ipal Incorporation, and its finan-
cial state Is good index to its
prosperous or declining condition,
the state of the city finances may
appropriately claim the first con-
| sideratiOn.
| There never WAS time when
this subject was more interesting
or important.
The total bonded debt of the city
on the 1st day OF November, 1879,
was $29S. 900.
The revenue of the city for the
ten months ending Nov. 1st, 1879,
were from direct taxes for the year
1970-S0, $16,374 81; collections from
lioonuaa ond fooo COL dcQ NJ. onl-
lections from water sold, SO, 1886;
collected from other sources, $3.50.
The expenditures during the
same ten months have been as fol-
lows: For the salaries of city Of
ficers, including the police, $780,
426. 20; public schools, $6246; fire
department, $S053.64; water ditch
expenses, $11,212; general irriga-
ton, $9573.40; gas, $8420.75; inter-
est on bonded debt, $24,Sl6; bonds
redeemed, Sis, 800; street sprinkling,
$2612.74; public library, $l6l0;
miscellaneous expenses, $575.
A careful examination and COM
parison will show that tho ex-
penses Of the ten months have not
been large. would respectfully
recommend to your honorabls body
a strict examination of every claim
presented against the city. On you
rests the odiutn of every extrava-
gance, and to you will be due the
credit OF al economical manage
ment of the finances. Prudence
and care will materially reduce the
current expenses.
| Nhn oAn,lit iNrx 81 7,
city for the past year has been
good. For this inestimabie bless
ing, for which we are indebted in Il
great measure to the recognized sg-
lubrity of the climate and the pur.
ity of the atmosphere which we en-
joy, much no doubt is due to the
measures adopted by the Board of
Health for the prevention of dis
ease, aud to the Health Officer for
the vIgilant watch which has been
kept by him to guard and protect
the inhabitants against diseases
engendered by uncleanliness and
want Of necessary drainage.
Cleanliness in aud about resi-
dences, workshops and school
rooms, together with good drain
age, are so essential to the good
health OF the people that [ cannot
refrain from urging the adoption of
such measures as will insure still
more perfect condition of healthful-
ness.
The schools of the city, both pub
lie and private, are in a condition
to afford opportunities for the
youth to acquire that education
which will enable them to intelli.
gently pursue the usual vocations
in life, or to prepare themselves for
university or collegiate course of
study.
While the management of the
public schools is intrusted by law
to the Board of Education, the duty
Of providing for their maintenance
Is largely imposed upon the City
Council, and both the present and
future welfare of this people so
largely depends upon the good edu-
cation of the youth, that every
means under the provisions of the
| law and wise consideration of the
| financial condition of the city
should be used to keep the public
schools in state of the greatest
efficiency for the education of all
the children living in this city.
In connection with this subject,
as well as that of good morals, the
public library demands all the aid
that can be extended to it. During
the past year number of books
have been added to those upon its
shelves when the library was trans
ferred to the care of the city.
The management of the library
under the present Trustees and
Librarian has received the appro-
baton of those who make it place
of resort. While donations of val
liable books have been made by
generous individuals, the incraese
OF the number and class of books
has not been commensurate with
the wants of the public.
The public library should be an
attraction of sufficient interest to
draw people, and especially the
youth, to its rooms. To insure this,
great care in the selection of books
Is needed, but there must also be
the means whereby to procure in-
structive and interesting books. A
good and well-kept public library is
an inexhaustible store for the dis
trlbution Of knowledge and the
promotion of good morals, and eff
forts should be made to furnish
that of this city with books of such
variety and usefulness as will make
it attractive to residents and visit
ors from abroad.
The public parks present an i'm
proved appearance. By care and
attention they will become each
succeeding year objects of greater
appreciation.
The procuring of the greatest
quantity of water for irrigation,
and its economical and equitable
distribution among irrigators is of
such great Importance to the well
f,ra opl rNrOoparify Of tho aifu opI