Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-14
MONSIEUR ToNsoN COME AGAIN.

1t is the old, old story, that of Repub-
ican defalcations. For some time past
the HERALD has thrown out intimations
that the taxpayers would be treated to
the usual experiences. The shadow Of
Ell Hammond still hangs over this un-
happy region. Readers of Shakespeare
will recall the noble sentiment of mine
ancient Pistol when with the army in
France. II will steal away to England" 7"
said mine ancient, land there-pH
steal" We9must have a good many
lineal descendants of this English
worthy in Los Angeles, and some Of
them have clustered around the court
house. In other columns appears the
report of Mr.. Edgar Moore, the expert,
to Mr.. Louis Lichtenberger, the presi-
dent of the Taxpayers Protective union.
Mr.. Moore has not permitted himself to
be swerved from his good work by the
attempt of the board of supervisors to
intimidate and discipline him. He
represented a responsible body of tax
payers and he felt that he should report
to them. The HERALD has charged that
the minutes of the board of supervisors
had been negligently kept and that
there was nothing like responsibility in
the Offices OF the tax collector and au-
ditor. AS matter Of fact, when Mr..
Omri Bulls was appointed tax col
lector he made regular reports until
he began to get in moneys. From
that moment his reports disappeared in
the most mysterious manner, necessi-
tating painstaking and elaborate going
over of every attainab]e data to get a
knowledge of the facts. After an ex-
haustive examination a shortage OF $31 =
S0096 was discovered by Mr.. Moore,
and on this discovery the HERALD's
intimations of forced balance of about
$4,000 were based. The details of the
investigation will be found elsewhere.
But that was not ALL Since receiving
Mr.. Moore's report to Mr.. Lichtenber-
ger, the former gentleman writes to the
HERALD that ne had since examined
volume Is, and that while he found it
marked City Property on the volume
itself, he discovered that the whole of
said volume, amounting to 81 ,056, ,904
was county property, and hence the levy
was 81 20 on the 500, instead of 81, as
Mr.. Moore had computed it in his re-
port. This adds 50, 1880 to the original
forced balance of $3l, ,S00.96, bringing
the total amount not accounted for up
to $33, ,9l4.76.
Doubtless other additions will be
made to this already formidable "dem-
milton total" to employ the elegiac
language of Mr.. Mantilini. In
all probability this is but the
thin edge of the wedge, and when
the butt is driven in the results
will be sensational to the taxpayers.
1t may be safely said that no people
have been so long suffering and forbear-
ing as those of Los Angeles. The tax
payers of this city, especially, who have
to pay within fraction of $26 for every
man, woman and child in the bailiwick,
will be interested in knowing the way
their money has been handled.
Probably no sensible man doubts that
where the peculiar device of forced bal
ances has been resorted to there have
been extravaganza and peculation with
out limit. The records of the courts
show that we have had large number
of promising candidates for San Quentin,
who have been connected with the court
house ring. Not even the reassuring
presence of Mr.. Aaron Smith in that
building has availed to allay the distrust
of the taxpayers.
As to the Taxpayers Protective union
it is the demand of the hour. Let ii
push on its good work. If it shall per-
severe in well-doing we may not only
unearth and punish peculation and NAL
versation, but we may hope to get rid
of some of the horde of sinecurists who
are obliged to fall over each other, they
are so numerous, in both the city and
the county governments.
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LIZ IT is true that the liberal handed