The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-04-17
Los Angeles Letter.

We read in the papers OF the ter
ribIe weather east, of snow, raln, cy-
clones and floods, while here it IS
balmy sunshine, the air fresh and
bracing and fragrant with flowers
and the blossoms Of fruit trees.
We recently had an exciting cleo.
ton of three days duration to vote
for or against the proposition to
bond the city for nearly $I6,ooo,ooo.
Owing to the dull times and the
number out of employment, the
Council ring expected this scheme of
Doodle 10 carry by handsome ma
jority; the sequel showed the tax
PAYERS had something to say on the
subject, and only the internal sewer
bonds for $4,000 carried. The
Mayor and Council have been at war
since the year began. The new
charter provides that the city money
shall be deposited with the bank that
will pay the highest rate of interest.
No interest ever having been paid
vet, and as there is something nearly
one million in the treasury, the IN
terest on daily balances at four and
one-half per cent. amounts to nearly
$35, 900 per annum. This chestnut
the treasury has had the cracking Of
Beside his salary Of $500 per month,
the Mayor thought that inasmuch as
there would be shortage of $4,000
this year. and to meet it the Council
had cut down the salary of every one
but themselves and those in the ring.
that it was time to enforce the law,
but as the President Of the Council
was Vice President of the bank that
had the money for nothing. except
what possibly was paid the City
Treasurer for depositing with them;
it has been long, bitter fight. The
Council at last passed the necessary
ordinance. but the bank holding the
money is still doing SO under a
second Injunction: the Mayor to de-
feat that borrowed a burglar proof
safe and at his own expense had it
moved to the City Hall and ordered
the Treasurer to place it in the vault
and draw out the city money and
put it in the safe, but he refuses and
the Council refuses to accept the
loan of the safe or purchase one.
The Mayor in recent message gave
them some good reading that will be
a campaign document at the next
city election. Already the political
pot is boiling in view of the fall
election. Indications point strongly
toward four tickets. The Prohibi-
tionists are first in the field, and the
Nationalist are very strong here and
are going to clip the wings of both
the old parties, unless one or both
succeed in dividing them by plat
; forms and promises that will be kept
and pan out just enough to reimburse
handsomely the bosses Of the various
rings.
The State Citrus Fair has Just
closed a very successful exhibition,
held in Hazards Pavilion. Much of
the exhibit has been moved to Mott
Hall, which is free to all visitors
"California on wheels" is attracting
much attention east, Judging by the
number of letters of inquiry received
here by the board of trade, the press
and private parties You would
think that half the east thought of
coming here to engage in fruit rails
ing, and the most capital, except in
one instance, that any of them seem
to have, is $500. Now, good
orange land covered with cactus,
water right guaranteed, can be pur-
chased in a good location for $500
and upward per acre. Five acres
would cost $1,000. It's work and ex-
pensive to clear that land and get it
ready for trees. The trees cost no
inconsiderable sum. A house must
be built, team, tools, &C., must
be purchased. Orange and nut or
chards give but little revenue before
six years after planting. There is no
demand for work by which one could
help splice out to live; there are
more seeking work in city and coun-
try now than there is work for.
Land farther back, away from rail
road, plenty of water doubtful in too
many instances, that can be pur-
chased at any price most offered for
it. But bear in mind, land is sold
here as orange, nut and fruit land,
that will produce neither; the trees
grow to a certain age and die with
out bearing. Many localities have
yet to be tried Be cautious, "ten-
derfootw.
More orange and other fruit trees
have been planted this winter than
ever before, and this is how the
orange trade is to-day. River side
navals have sold in Chicago for on
ly ten cents above cost. A large
packer and shipper told me he could