Los Angeles herald., 1890-08-22
WHAT THEY WANT.
The Reformers Issue an Address to the
Public,


form association in Illinois hall on
Wednesday, report of which appeared
in Yesterdays HERALD, the following
address, preferred to in our report) was
read by Ralph E. Hoyt, and unanimously
adopted
The first sentence in the declaration
of principles adopted by this organiza-
ton declares that municipal govern
ment is business, not politics" This is
followed by the statement that
municipal elections should be divorced
from state and national politics."
The members of this organization are
of the opinion that these two declara-
tions contain within themselves plat
form that appeals to the good sense and
sound Judgment of every honest, intelli-
gent citizen. On such platform all
who value the city's general welfare
above the personal interests of a few,
can and should unite for action.
1t is notorious that the city of Los
Angeles has for some years past been
controlled by officials a majority OF
whom were unit for the positions to
which they were elected. That such
men should succeed in getting into pub
lie offices is not strange, when we con-
slider the methods by which our munich
pal elections are usually carried. Atthe
bottom of the political ladder is the eau
Gus. 1t is we'll known that the caucus
has become so corrupt and is so carefully
controlled by the hummer element that
very few honest, respectable men of
either party will have anything to do
with it. They naturally turn from it in
disgust, thereby leaving the bummers in
undisputed possession of the field.
Even the caucus is generally ''cut and
dried" in secret conclave by few of the
shrewdest and most enterprising wire
pulers, who recognize the maxim that
''the early bird catches the worm"
The dirty caucus controls the primary,
the primary goes, through the
form of electing delegates to the
been selected by the caucus,
and the convention plays the farce of
nominating candidates who were prac-
tically nominated away down in the
slums, by few ward strikers such as no
respectable business man would tolerate
at his home or intrust with his private
interests for a moment. Each candi-
date on the ticket is loaded down with
pledges to 'the boys" who secured his
nomination, and is bound in the event
of an election, to provide job
for every Tom, Dick and Harry
who can present proof of having
helped work the lower end
of the machine for the successful
ticket. Elected by such methods, and
trammeled by fuch pledges, it would be
strange if even men fairly honest in
private life should make the right kind
of public officials. AS rule, however,
the outgrowth of such methods is
tickt of which, as whole, good men in
the party are ashamed. But it is the
ticket of their party, and so they shut
their eyes and vote it. Such is the
course pursued by each of the great
political organizations. No matter
which proves the winner, the city
suffers. An administration thoroughly
incompetent, it not actually corrupt, is
saddled upon the people for term of
years, and the work of decentralization
goes on without restraint. Appointive
offices are filled by incampetents, as a
reward for services rendered prior to
election. Official salaries go up even
while private business goes down.
Deputies and sub deputies,
assistants and sub;assistants, super
numeraries and camp-followers are
appointed to perform mythical duties
dllu uIdW ldLSlUlc sttldIlcs OIuludllCSS
are passed on purpose to provide places
for hungry cormOrants, whose bills for
campaign services are found to have
been overlooked in the early apportion-
ments. Taxes are increased to frightful
figures-especially in cases where the
victims are poorly able to endure the
pressure. Money is expended on public
improvements for which there is but
little need, at present, while such as are
imperatively necessary are neglected.
| Contracts are let to incompetent or dis
honest contractors, and work shabbiy
performed has to be done over again at
the expense OF innocent taxpayers.
Ridiculous and unjust ordinances are
passed and enforced with shameful par
TALLY, while the execution of whole
some and needful laws is habitually
neglected. Claims of questionable merit
are presented from time to time and or
dered paid without investigation. Poor
school sites are purchased while good
ones are yet around and unoccupied by
the city. Land for prospective park
purposes is bought at prices far above
any figures which the sellers could get
from individuals in these times
BY such means and in such ways does
the money of the taxpayers disappear
while their burdens grow heavier. For
every statement contained in this ad-
dress we have positive proof either in
hand or within easy reach and in due
time the proof will be made public.
Confronted as are the people OF this
city by such condition of affai RS, we
ask, is it not time to call halt? We
think it is. Is not the election of an
economical and competent, clean, bust
ness-like city government next fall in
fnitely more important than a mere
local victory for either party? We think
it is. And SO believing, we cordially
invite the cooperation of all voters and
taxpayers in the city who think as we
do; all who desire to see Los Angeles
released from ring rule and bossism
all who value the reputation of this
beautiful city, and are DESTROYS of at
tracing hither the dissatisfied but
worthy masses in the east, whose eyes
are turned toward the Pacific coast; all
such persons, rich or poor, old residents
or recent arrivals, no matter what their
political affiliations, are most earnestly
requested to join with us in pushing for
ward the municipal reform movement to
success. ~