The morning call., 1891-12-24

frequently suffer for that and other reasons
In number OF instances that have been brought
TO our attention, there have been dismis>als OF
charges and sometimes refusals 10 issue war
rants when contrary course should have been
pursued.
Prosecuting Attorney OF Department No. as
sumed the responsibility OF dismssing a serious
case-a charge involving serious public
offense-uEder circumstances that were totally
unwarrantabie.
From The report of our expert the conclusion
cannot be resisted that there Is prevalent also a
very loose habit In the matter Of the acceptance
OF bail bonds.
There have been complaints also before US OF
the frequency OF con inuances and the ease with
which they apparently are obtained. All OF this,
however, may be due, as above stated, TO the
tn0rmods pressure OF business ana the impossi-
billy. under the present circumstances, OF CIV
ing 10 each particular case that attention when
IL ought 10 receive.
We close this branch OF our report with the
suggestion thai the public veal would BIZ much
better subserved II the appointment OF the Pros
ecuting Attorneys In the Police Courts was vested
in the District Attorney. The wisdom OF such
course seems 10 US to b. obvious. Then, instead
of having dilured and dlffused responsibility.
II would be concentrated 10 one man, TO whom
the public would look for the efficient enforce
ment OF the law In these courts.
AS the law Is now, the Board OF Supervisors
controls the appointments OF the Prosecuting
Attorneys, and the District Attorney Is shorn OF
all power TO supervise or direct those officers
who should be his subordnates.
CHARITABLE FUND OF FIRE DEPARTMENT..
lie sum oil ABOUT SIUUU. WHICH mas Deen Qt-
posted IN various savlngs banks to the credit OF
the above-named fund for several years. was
removed from these banks by the oficer- of The
Fire Department several mouths ago and handed
over TO Mr.. John Dougherty
He acknowledges holding $4,000 of that sum
yet, having discussed about $1,000 In legal eX-
pens-s, for which we can find no authority. He
IS not in any manner connected with The Fire
Department. and we can see no reason why this
money should be permitted to rest In his hands
without interest and without bonds for lis safety.
MISCELLANEOUS OFFICES,
Respecting many municipal offices, Including
those of the Sheriff, County Clerk Coroner an d
others. we have not had time TO look into their
methods of transacting the city business, nor did
our experts find leisure TO examine the books.
Appended hereto under the heads of TAX Col
lectOrs Office" Assessment Rolf and other
heads is the report OF our expert. which we COM
mend 10 the thoughtful attention of taxpayers.
Reports have already been made and published
In regard 10 the condition of the streets and the
prevalence OF the social evil OF the CITY.
CONCLUSION.
There may be presumption that we have not
been sufficiently 'xpllet and that names of cu-
prits should have been mentioned. But that
would have been at best an invidous task and
the enumeration would be too prolonged.
What Is the remedy?
Gibbon describing The condition of Western
Europe before the accession OF Charlemagne
says THAT he does not know whether there was
more vice less vlrtIe.' That description
would not be amiss to-day.
The rapaciOus horde ought to be driven Into
the sea, bu are we forced TO the melancholy con.
clusion that The abstenIlon OF the railway from
participation In public affairs Is the only condi-
ton OF freedom from this defllemrnt? Is its
power all-pervading, and shall there be no limit
In point OF time 10 its supremacy? No class
seeks 10 couflscate its property nor depreciate
the services the managers have rendered tie
State. But II nfects everything 1t touches polit-
ically. For lis aims solely selfish financially
selfish. II has debauched both parles until an
honest man cannot, without fear of c0ntanina-
ton, aspire To political office.
To ex-Judge Rhodes OF the SUPP rene Court we
offer the sincere tribute due 10 honest and
upright man. His services have ben gracefully
accorded. and we return him as guerdOn all that
we can give him. and all that lie has received
our thanks.
Acknowledgements are due to MIR. l.. K. Ebert
member OF the present and past Board OF Super
yisuTs. lie Is OF those who, In The future as In
thu past, will be of the few who are chosen
though the many fall.
District t0rney w. S. Barnes Is entitled TO
more than an ordinary need OF justice. We are
not given. as may be noted. to beptaiSe officials,
but with an environment that at first made us
doubtful he has quite fully convinced the Grand
jury Of his capacity and Integrity
Mayor George II. SandeIson is another offic
whose efforts TO aid us In our irksune dut res
have been cordially received. Though fully
aware OF the evils existing In certain Offices H.
Guiding HE StIeet Department, lie has been un-
able to correct them. "Reminiscences have been
unavailing, and the necessity OF giving tile Mayor
power TO do something more than complain Is
obvious.
Though only an Illegal precedent" yet we
believe that our labors VIII not prove entirely
fTuitless, and we may add that II has been to US
an ordeal mol lightly forgotten.
And so, having been stricken mortal blow by
the Supreme Court, we say 10 the people OF Calf
foTnla,