Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-02
A Cigar Stand Made Of the
New City Hall.
Objections Offered in Every
Direction.
Jury's Award in Condemnation
Suit Yesterday.
A Missing Mana Baby's Narrow Es-
cape From Death-Other Matters
of Interest.

There is general feeling of indigna-
ton over the action of the City Council
in allowing the new city hall to be turned
into cigar and candy retail establish
ment. A couple of years ago city
council agreed to pay $2OS,SO0 for the
building which has, since its compile
ton, been the pride of the citizens, who
take pleasure in showing the edifice to
visiting strangers and the Council, by
it's action in allowing cigar stand to be
established in the handsome vestibule,
has, it is considered by many, taken
away all the attractiveness of the place.
Some few weeks ago a petition was
received from the present owner OF
the cigar stand asking permission
to conduct stationery stand
in the entrance to the city hall. This
was referred to the finance committee,
which referred it back to the Council
with a recommendation that was rather
vague, and it was adopted. At that
time it was not thought that such
thing would be permitted and nothing
much was said in reference to the mat
ter, some of the Councilmen stating
that they were not in favor of having a
stand there. Yesterday afternoon,
however, an express wagon drove up to
the city hall and white counter was
moved into the front hallway, and
stock of cigars and candy was moved in
shortly afterward. Quite an indignation
meeting was held by number of the
occupants of the city hall, and number
of citizens joined in condemning the
action of the Council in allowing the
stand to be located at that place. TWAS
learned that no rent had been fixed for the
stand and some of the merchants who
not only pay license but who rent, are
understood to be vigorously protesting.
1t is also stated that had the Council
been anxious to have leased the privi-
lege, humber of people would have
paid large bonus to the city.
A number of ladies who sometimes
have business in the city hall were seen
yesterday, and they objected decidedly
to have to pass cigar stand every time
they have to visit the Treasurer or Tax
Collector. They say that it gives the
city hall the appearance of a saloon,
with the usual cigar stand in front.
The following letter was received at
this Office yesterday evening in relation
to the matter:
EDITORS HERALD: / notice that the
Council has permitted cigar-stand in
the entrance to the City Hall. This will
be regarded by all citizens as an act of
vandalism, and if the Council has not
pledged itself for some sort of a consid-
GRAFTON, the stand should be thrown
into the street. The Council apparently
thinks it owns the building. This is not
so. The people own it and the Council
have no right to turn the peoples prop
erty into cigar and candy shop. There
is nothing in the law that gives it the
power to let the entrance of the build
ing, which is narrow enough anyway,
for a business of any kind. If the Coun-
Gil has the power then think other peo-
pie should have privileges of similar
sort. A soda fountain and fruit
stand and drug store could
also be accommodated there, and
perhaps it might be we'll to establish
a restaurant and dance saloon in the
basement. By all means let us have
saloon there if we are to have a cigar
stand and candy shop. We need CEN
trail market house here. Why not put
everything there? What right has tho
Council to give an extraordinary priv
ilege to one man without advertising for
bids, even if it had the right to turn the
city hall into huckster shop. Respect
fully, JAMES REYNOLDS.
If allowed to remain where it is this
cigar stand will probably be productive
of considerable talk among the people
who have to visit the city hall