Los Angeles herald., 1890-08-28

1t is matter Whlcn calls 1Or
speedy relief, and no man should be
elected to office who has any influence
or control over taxation who will not
pledge himself to reform these matters.
The rate of taxation is excessive and the
expenses of the city are altogether out of
reason with the hard times pressing
down upon the masses of the people.
Take the much talked about water
tax, it is not only excessive in its de-
mands and should be controlled by the
city on account of the burden it bears,
but it should be so controlled that its
purity can be assured and thus protect
the people so far as health is concerned.
Take the matter of lighting the city
the gas and electric lights should be
owned and controlled by the city. The
people should not be taxed above actual
cost for lights.
1t is matter OF deep interest to the
taxpayers to understand the way our
street department is conducted. The peo-
pie at large believe there is something
wrong in it's management. The chair
man OF the finance committee speaks OF
the great damage last winter. He says,
cit will not be long until number of
the paved streets will have to be repair
ed," etc. Think of it-what an ex-
pense to be compelled to repair every
two Or three years. There is surely
something wrong in this isdepartment."
Let us turn to the matter of taxation
again for moment. 1t is certainly
becoming a matter of deep concern.
The estimate of the city auditor was
$715, 1884, which the finance commit
tee say they have cut down to about
$550000. Then add the licenses, which
amount to over 5000, 900, and we have a
grand total OF about $S00,000. But, says
a city official, you must not count the
licenses, that goes to the salary fund.
But would like to know if the license
money does not belong to the city,
part and parcel of it's funds, just as
much as any other part of it. Because
we collect such money which comes
from business men, as q special tao, shall
we feel that large salaries can be the
better supported? Nonsense! Out
upon such an excuse. There is no busi-
ness in tit is all politics.
The management of our parks is very
little known to the general public. Itis
believed there has been terrible waste
Of money in this department, which is
fully susceptible of proof Look at the
cost of the City Hall park, the West
Lake, the East Side and other parks.
Foot up the cost and then see what
there is to show for it. More than that
we are informed that alien labor has
been employed, that men have been
discharged who were citizens while
aliens were retained. If true, it is an
outrage.
The tax rate this year is $1.2O, last
year $1.1O. The tax per capita, leaving
out the license money, is nearly $1,000.
Comment is unnecessary.
The auditor says the park fund is
$62 ,S61.22. Where in the name of rea-
son is this money to be used? l think
the taxpayers have right to know, in
the light of the past.
Take a look, my friends. at the official
salary tax register of this city, add to
that clerical additions which are not
enumerated, and see how such sched-
ule looks in the light of the extreme
hard times. 1t is an excessive burden
and undoubtedly calls for revision.
Even one of the trainers of the new
charter says it is burdensome in the
light of these times. No one can doubt
it after due investigation. Something
should be done about it.. Shall we re-
wise the charter?
OOllpdIC uIlc SttidIy IISG Will CliC
wages paid workingmen on our public
works. Men working today for 81 90 per
day and board, just enough to keep
bread on the table for their families. 1t
is not just or right.
There seems to be special desire to !
make the police department the arena
for another fight. 1t is matter purely |
political in its makeup, and so far as | |!
am concerned, | am ready for the con-
test in all its designs and strategy.
So far as retrenchment and reform is
concerned, think the showing of the
police department a good one. The eX-
penses of the department have been re-
duced about 81, 800 per month since last
year. The number OF men on the force
when was chosen commissioner was
102, according to the clerks record. 1t
patrolmen has been reduced to $40 per
month.
Ii all the departments of the city could
reform would mean something.
l look at the San Jose convention and
do not wonder that Hon. Stephen M.
White was compelled to submit to the
behests of the corporation ring masters
IOr Un6 sake OF QdrnlOuy. All llOIlOT 10
the man who was willing to submit
the choice OF senator to the people-he
was right, and the verdict of the people
says so in advance Of any recorded vote.
There is no uncertain meaning in the
defeat and submission of one of the fav-
orite sons of Los Angeles. When the
people open their eyes to the fact that
corporate power and bossism is deter
mined to rule regardless of the masses,
and resort to every means which wealth
and combination can secure to attain the
end sought, then it is the people will
rise in their might, and regardless of
political intrigue or the power of wealth
say, stand back, the people have rights
which must and shall be respected and
maintained.
In the light of the great and oppressive
tax burden--in the light OF ring rule and
bossism-for the purpose of placing men
in office regardless of past party
alliances, who believe the people should
rule this city-for the purpose of re-
ducing taxation and having revised
ordinances and laws which will bring
relief-for these and other good reasons
l appeal to the citizens to unite together
and overthrow every phase of wrong
doing in the conduct of our municipal
affairs.
of tho watchword ri the camnaipn