Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-12-02
DAVID E. MILES.
What is Said Of His Past
Public Record.
How He Voted to Sustain Ex-Chie1
McCarthy-A Friend of the
Water Company.

VdttI OUIupduys
Ever since the Republican City Con-
vention selected for it's nominee for
Mayor Mr.. D. E. Miles there have been
heard on the streets rumors to the effect
that Mr.. Miles past history in connec-
tion with this city, was not quite SO clean
as might have been desired, and that his
champion, the Tribune, has abstained
from saying much on this subject for fear
that old memories might be raked up to
lessen his chances for making a good
run. There were few, however, who
had not forgotten he part the took in the
administration of the city's affairs and
the stories of his positions on important
questions which came up before the
Council when he was its President were
heard on every side yesterday.
MILES UPHoLDs BRIBERY.
1t will be remembered that he was
President of the Council at the time a
Chief of Police named Mccarthy was
placed on trial before the Council on
charges of bribery and corruption and
that it was through the efforts of him
self, DR.. Sinsabaugh and Albert Brown
that Mccarthy was made the Chief.
During the trial of Mccarthy, sworn
evidence was introduced in the
Council to show that he had ac-
cepted bribes from the Chinese
amounting to about 5000 per month and
in the face Of the most damaging evil
dence Mr.. Miles voted in favor of Nc
Carthy, and the reports in the news
papers at that time show that he talked
for Mccarthy and praised him for the
manner in which he managed the affairs
of the police. After the testimony had
all been submitted Mr.. Miles and his
confreres passed a resolution exonerating
Mccarthy from the charge of bribery
and corruption, but dismiesing him on
the ground of incompetency. So strong
was public feeling against McCarthy that
he left town Immediately, and so did
Councilman Brown; but Miles remained,
and the part he took in the affair has not
been forgotten.
THE CITY HALL ABORTION.
The occupants of the present City Hall
and those who have had chance to
examine it say that it is a monument to
the memory Of the care which Mr.. ID. E.
Miles took of the interests OF the city.
The building of this was under the super
intendence of the committee OF which
Miles was a member, and of the Council
at the time he was its President
No one who is familiar with its numer.
GUS cracks and with the generally bad
manner in which il is built, denies that
there must have been job in it. 1t will
be remembered that there was a time
when it was thought to be in danger of
falling down, and that it was so poorly
constructed that prisoners could carve
their way out with pieces of wood or
tear the roof off with their hands. Es-
capes from its interior have been numer-
kept in at present is by placing guard
over them. The sewer arrangements of
the City Hall have been noted for their
inadequateness and unheaithfulness, and
to-day the City Clerks Office is one of
the most unhealthy rooms in the city.
1t is only short time since that it be-
came necessary to make repairs to the
sewers of the city prison, when it was
discovered that they were about as good
as none at all. 4 year ago the sewer
matter from one cell bubbled up in the
center of the floor of the one adjoining,
and this trouble had existed from the
very start. 1t is only year ago that it
was found that the building stood on no
foundation to speak of. The excavation
for the walls were found to have
been only a foot or so be-
low the surface of the ground
and the material upon which tl,e brick
was placed was only lot of cobble-
stones. When the discovery was made
the explanation for the cracks in the
walls was found, and it was Mr.. Miles
who was said to be responsible for the
fosting upon the public of this fraud of
a structure. At the time OF the compile
ton of the contract Mr.. Miles was a
member OF the Council and his party was
in power. There was an objection to the
accepting of the building and special
building committee was appointed, of
which Mr.. Miles was member and
chairman. This committee was supposed
to have examined into the work of the
contractor, and it recommended that the
work be accepted and the contractor
paid. Those who are familiar with the
matter express themselves as of the
opinion that either Miles was a most in
efficient and incompetent manager of the
city's interest, or that he was amenable
to reasons that no high-minded man
could be moved by.
THE CITY LUMBER.
The history of the disposal of lum Der
which had been bought for the street
crossings of the city with the city's
money, about the same time, is still
fresh in the minds of many. The charge
was made in the newspapers couple Of
years ago that the Street Superintendent
had been ordered to deliver this
lumber to the houses of certain
memb bers of the Council. Mr.. Miles was
one of the Councilmen who received the
wood, and it is said to be susceptible of
proof that several loads of this wood was
delivered at Mr.. Miles house, as we'll as
at the houses of several of the Republi-
can members of the Council. Indeed
this affair has permanently dry-docked.
as far as availability for Office is con.
cerned, some of the parties who
descended to so petty malfeasance.
HE sHUFFLEs IN HIGH LICENSE.
Mr.. Miles was in the Council when the
present high rate of license was adopted,
but be was opposed to the measure, al
though the record of the votes may show
that he caat his vote for it's adoption. He
was afraid at that time of the results
such action might have upon the future
of himself and his party, and he did all
in his power on the O,iiet To avate the