Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-12-25

/ ouoiy PiONiucu uO llults III OLQ6r re-
spects, notably in the city of Los Ange-
les, 1t has had the practical effect of di-
recting the efforts of the Constabulary to
the pocket of the Individual instead. 1t
has been charged that the city Constabu-
larry constitute themselves collective
| agents, and make use of their official
position to enforce the collection of small
| debts, principally from women and poor
men. by intimidation and without due
process of law. From the evidence pre-
sented. the Grand Jury believes that this
| charge is true. 1t has been charged that
two Deputy Constables. Johnson and
fancy, served warrant for arrest for OBJ
tanning money under false pretenses upon
an escaping debtor, arresting the man,
collected the money due, augmented by
a large illegal fee, returned the warrant
unserved and pockatsd the entire fee.
This charge is true, and the Grand Jury
presents it to Justice Savage, who issued
the warrant, and against whom the con.
tempt has been committed. The sug.
gestion relative to Justices of the Peace
made above to the Grand Jury of 1890,
applies with equal, if not greater force to
the Constabulary of the county.
CITY OFFICERs-CITY CLERK.
| The books and accounts of the City
Clerk have been examined and have
been found correct, and all moneys col.
lected have been accounted for and paid
lao the city treasury, and the conduct
OF the office is excellent in every respect.
To say that an officer has fully performed
his duty is all that ordinarily should be
said. In doing this he has proved him
self worthy of the trust reposed in him
by the public, and he can receive no
higher commentator. 1t has happened,
however, that during a recent absence
in the East of the City Clerk on sick
leave, clerk in his office was guilty of a
petty peculation amounting to 1924. Upon
the City Clerks return the defalcation
was at once discovered. The Clerk dis
charged and double the am punt, as af-
terward ascertained by an expsrt &C.
countant and above given, was promptly
paid into the city treasury. For this
reason the Grand Jury feels justified in
saying more and in stating that the pres.
emit City Clerk is to be especially COM
mended as faithful, efficient and con-
scientious servant of the public.
CITY TAX COLLECTOR.
The books OF the present City Tax Col
lector and his predecessor have been ex-
amined and found correct. All moneys
collected have been accounted for and
paid into the city treasury, as required
by law.
CITY ASSESSOR.
All taxes on personal property collected
have been accounted for and paid into
the city treasury.
CITY AUDITOR.
The books and accounts of the CITY
Auditor have been examined and found
correct, and the affairs of the Office are
satisfactorily conducted, except as here
matter stated. Under the new charter
of Los Angeles city, the Auditors Office
has been made highly important one,
and should be filled by man of wide
and mature judgment, of great business
sagacity and possessing largely the dis.
passionate judicial mind. He, too, like
the County Auditor, should be especially
jealous in the supervision of all officers
who have settlements to make with the
City Treasurer. In one case the present
Auditor has approved the salary de-
mands Tor June, July. August, Ssptem-
Der, october and November, OF an officer
OF the city, whose duty it is to make
Treasurer, and who made no settlements
from May until the latter part of Noyem-
| Der. 1t is the opinion of the Grand Jury
, this was a gross neglect of duty.
CITY JUSTICES.
The books of the several Justices for
the city of Los Angeles have been exam.
ined and have been found correct. In
the cases of Justices Austin, Stanton
and Ovens, all moneys and fines col
lected have been accounted for, and set
Elements have been properly made with
the City Treasurer, Judge Austin, who
has worthily filed his Office for several
terms, and has collected during the past
year over $12, 900, and who additionally
| has settlements to make with the County
Treasurer, presents q most excellent
| record. His settlements with each
Treasurer are promptly and completely
| made, and the money deposited with
him as cash bail is kept intact, as special
deposits should be kept. Justice Lock-
| wood, however, does not present go
clear record. He is dilatory in his set.
Elements, having failed to make any
returns or pay into the city or county
treasury any moneys from May until in
November of the present year.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
Certain matters have been presented
to the Grand Jury by individuals which,
strictly speaking, are not within the
scope of inquiry of Grand Juries. All
persons, however, who have come before
it have been accorded courteous and
patient hearing. and as in some instances
the matters presented related to the pub
lie service it has been thought proper to
present certain recommendations simply
as conclusions reached by nineteen citi-
zeas and taxpayers of this county.
First. In the matter of railroad cross.
ings n the public roads, recommends.
ton is presented to the Board of super
visors that an ordinance be passed re-
curing all railroad companies to estab-
llsh and maintain proper signs, warning
the general public of danger, and the
attention of citizens generally is called
thereto with the Recommendation that
| they report to the Board of Supervisors
all failure on the part of railways to COM
| ply with the ordinance, and recon.
mendation to the City Council that an or
dinance be passed requiring steam rail-
way companies to employ watchmen for
all the more important street crossings.
Second. In the matter of the occupa-
ton of Aurora street by the Southern
Pacific Railway Company, statement
that this occupation appears to be
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