Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-03-03
He Thinks was Correct.

EDITUhS HERALD-1 our 6QllOr lAl
"What the Section Wants at this Time"
in an issue of recent date, strikes the
keynote of our future prosperity. We
are truly burdened with horde of Office.
holders utterly unnecessary. With your
permission I would refer to some of the
offices now at the disposal of the City
Council, many said offices created by
them for what purposes best known to
themselves.
I will take the official register for 1889
and the first item therein requiring re-
adjustment-a looping offs that oi
City Clerk. He has three deputies re.
ceiving $500 per month, or $500 per
year. This is very extravagant item
for a city of $75 900 inhabitants and
could be worked at two.thirds less cost
provided the Clerk would 'stick close to
his desk and never 60 to sea-" instead OF
getting a months leave and other holi
davs for recuperating.
The City Auditor and his assistant are
altogether an unnecessary and costly ap
pendage at $319 33 per month, or
| SO, ,759 96 per annum. The same work
could be performed by competent man
by contract for 81 900, making saving
of $2,759 SO to the over burdened tax
payers. The City Treasurer and his as
sistant is quite tax also, at $283 SO pei
month. or So 399 96 per year. There
might be a considerable saving in this re-
gard by having a cashier, at say 500 pei
month, especially when it has been de-
cided to allow the banks to handle the
city's money at interest.
The City Attorneys deputies, two o.
them, could well be dispensed with, and
still be enough talent left in that depart.
ment to look after the legal affairs.
And now l reach the Street Superin
tendent. This item seems the ''las
straw" and very heavy straw indeed
The salary for that individual is $3.50 pei
month, besides three deputies (!! y al
$l00 each, or, in all, $3.50 per month
or Sc 900 per annum. This is an Office
entirely uncalled for. Too many cooks
you know, are said to spoil the broth
Further on 1 will point out how the
greater portion of this drain may be
stopped and more efficient service OBJ
tanned.
The City and Police Justices courts
are entirely too plentiful. Two judges ir
these courts could do all the work re
Iquired o. them by the city, if they woulG
only apply themselves somewhat more
diligently, and work, say. six hours pei
day. sit is now almost daily an immense
deal of time is wasted to those who have
the misfortune to have to call the law tt
their aid.
Continuances or adjournments ar,
granted on the most frivolous pretenses
BY paying two expert lawyers say $20t
per month, saving of So 1888 per yea
would be effected and more promp
dispensing of justice.
| The Office of the City Tax Collector a
a fixed salary should be dispensed with
Many good men could be found to collect
all taxes at per cent. Taking amount
of taxesin 1889. SOL ,533.07 this would bl
I$3,045, saving Of 81, ,154.96.
The Water Overseer seems to be wei
paid officer and extremely we'll supplied
with deputies. This should be entirely
wiped out and handed over to the care O
the City Engineer, who could have al
officer at say 500 per year, to see t.
this making a saving of So 100 per year
| The Street Sprinkling Inspector woulC
also dispense with and leave that duty
to be performed through the Engineer'l
Office by the Street Superintendent, re
ferred to later. Does it not seem absurt
Ito think Of two or three sets of officer