Los Angeles daily herald., 1885-12-30

CITY were asked to give vote oil credit
to the CITY Council for the purposes oil
erecting suitable city buildings, increas-
inc the efficiency OF our water supply,
the improyement OF our main thorough
fares ibe extension of our sewer system,
etc. The response was hearty and I'M
.tshable: every dollar that our or
gauic law permitted was voted for the
nurposes Indicated, and now the respon-
s;b;iity rests with the members OF the
civ government to carry out and faith
fuilv fulfill the duties incumbent upon
them BY such marked vote of conf.
dence by the people.
| would suggest the codification of our
city ordinances up to January LIST. 1866.
A few months ago little ripple Of
municipal excitement was caused by the
passage and approval Of an ordinance
known as the High License Ordinance"
an ordinance which contained In the
main many excellent features; yet it
also had in my opinion few minor de-
fects, but not of such character as to
Justify my veto. | hope to see those de-
fects remedied by your honorable body
during the present official year.
As the ordinance referred TO is at this
time undergoing the test of the Supreme
Court as to its construction and constr
tutionalisy. il might be considered pre-
sumptuous for me even to allude to y,
vet, at the risk of the charge, l Will
make the following statement;
In a supplemental message to your
honorable body, dated March Sd, 1885,
used the following language: Upon
the license question l am OF the opinion
that there are too many licenses now
issued for the sale Of intoxicants, or. In
other words, there are parties now en-
gagged In the traffic TO whom no licenses
should be issued. Some certificate
OF character, some recommendation from
respectable citizens, some Legitimate
guarantee Of good faith should be exact
ed. l do believe that il IL
censes were issued only 10 respectable
persons, and the number regulated &C.
cording to population, great good
would be effected.
also doubted If "high license" per Sc
would remedy the evil. because in the
lowest and vilest dens in the city un-
suspecting men would be robbed OF
enough money in one night to pay high
license tax for one year.
Now in the ordinance under discussion
there is clause giving Commissioners
the right 70 gran. hcenSes' anu sn'a
feature oil the ordinance oe sus.aineu OF
not ny our hBhes. spPe'ia.e Coa'' ~.
honorable body doubtless mas tne rign'
70 provide oy ordinance lot .ne resula'
tion OF the hquor traihc as Po"oe h'eaS
ure; .,-
Inc state oil oahiornis psre,hpsofiiy
commands that all saloons De eiosea On
general election days. why snouia .ne
CITY oil Los Angeles Dc deprived Oh 'ne
right TO say that certain irresponsioie'
and In some cases wretched indiviauais
be refused permission 10 engage IN the
trafhc.
would suggest that an the power
and energy oil the Conncii pe exefciseu
TO compel the complexion oil tne opening
OF Bath street tine eastern extension o.
Main street,, and also Los Angeles street
between Arcadia and Alameda streels.
II these improvements were completed
foul blotch known as Negro. Alley. and
the Chinese quarters wouid be removed
from the otherwise tar lace OF our city;
In supplemental communication L
purpose early In the year to Jay before
you statement OF the financial condi-
ton of the city. with comments thereon.
and IN the meantime Deg 70 refer you 10
the last report OF our excellent City Au-
ditor.
Gentlemen oil the council, your duties
are not easy or triiiing; your RESPONSE
bility is great; the tax upon your time
and patience is heavy; your reward may
be only ephenerai, for sometimes an
unselfisf and faithful public servant Is
not thoroughly appreciated. het, not,
witiistanding all this, you nave assumed
the duties OF Counciimen without nope
OF reward, as all patriotic citizens shouia
do when called upon, and my earnest
wish now is that at the close oil your
term yon may have the sen'conseious-
ness OF having done your who'e duty
feariessly, fairly and honestly.
nave the hohor' seh'ieheh' 10 sun
scribe myself
Yours very respectfully,
~. r. SPENCE, mayor, :,
The message was referred 10 speciai
committee consisting OF Councihen
huhrts, Jones and toss.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS.
The City Auditor presented ms report
OF the condition OF the several FUNDS OF
the city. Referred 10 the FINANCE Com-
mittee.
The Mayor returned the BOND and
contract with Peter Keenan, LOT building
flume, because 1t did not prohibit Chi
nese labor. New contract ordered.
The Superintendent OF streets pre-
sented pay roll amounting TO Ssooo.
Referred to Finance Committee.
The hanjero reported the sale OF $l5.5o
worth OF water during the month OF De-
cember. Same reference.
The Zsniero reported that the dam at
the main supoiy ditch mad peen W sheo
away and the ditch badly damaged, ana
that the cost OF repairing VIII De De-
tween 500 and 500. Referred to Com
mittee on Ianjas.
Reported water in ZsnJs Madre ana
G-l to supply central service. Referred
to Committee on IanJas.
The Chief OF Police reported that ne
had received tor the month licenses TO
the amount OF slll.5O; returned uncoi,
lected. ss4; collected. SIG DO. Referred
to Finance Conmittee.
The Chief OF Police reported that the
"old adobe on Boyle Heights was not
in danger OF falling down and is not q
nuisance; also, that the smokestack at
the Hammam Baths could not properly
be called nuisance. Received and
filed.
The Chief OF Police made the follow
ing report Tor the month OF November;
Drunk and disorderly, az; lighting, z;
m m IffIQA.