Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-17
CUMULATIVE AND UNBEARABLE EVILS.

There are some things developing
amongst us just now that are not at all
pleasing to our taxpayers. The HERALD
has already called attention to the
serious defects in the new city hall,
which will probably involve alterations
in that building on a serious scale OF
expense. The warping of that preten-
tious structure gave occasion for alarm
even before its completion. In work
involving so much money such grave de-
fects of construction are objectionable.
Months ago this journal called attention
tocharges made concerning the good faith
of the extensive sewer work that's being
done for the city. The allegations were
that soft brick was being used in the
sewers and that the proper quantity OF
cement was not being employed. The
contractors covered up their work go
quickly that there was no room for
proper examination. That the HERALD's
informants were we'll advised is shown by
the fact that yesterday coal team of Mr..
Hancock Banning plunged bodily into
the sewer on Grand avenue, the horses
being rescued from drowning with great
difficulty. That many of the bricks
were seft seems to be established from
too many sources to admit OF doubt.
Another serious charge is that
where the specifications called for the
use OF three portions OF cement in the
mortar only one was employed.
This is very discouraging develop.
ment. indeed, and it is one that gives
birth to very disquieting misgivings. Is
our whole sewer system, which has cost
so much money, mere fraud and sham,
liable to be crushed like an eggshell? If
so, what redress has the swindled tax
payer?
That we are the victims OF jobbery and
incompetency in our local affairs no one
can we'll dispute. Some time ago the
HERALD pointed out an error in the ad-
vertisement proposing certain changes
in our expensive city government which
prevented action on these economical
suggestions during the present session of
the legislature. This throws over all
prospect of relief for two years. Was
this omission accidental or Intentional .
Ii the one case it was stupid and in
the other fraudulent. Some months
ago we directed the taxpayers notice to
an error in the advertisement of the
board of supervisors, by which the sale
of $500, 900 worth of county courthouse
bonds was rendered invalid. That we
were right is shown by the fact that the
board has again advertised these bonds
for sale.
Surely, in view OF the large sums paid
by the Los Angeles taxpayer, he has a
right to look for both honest and intelli-
gent service.
When, to the unpleasant things which
we have just recapitulated, we are con-
fronted by the mockeries in our courts,
the miscarriage of criminal justice and the
robbery OF the county treasury by forged
warrants, there is room on the part of
the citizen for redhot indignation. He
is not bit placated when he knows that
Chinese fan tan and lottery games have
been running at the sweet will Of the
Mongolian, and that the audacious har-
lotry of Alameda street is more unre-
strained than ever before.
The fact is that the people OF Los An
geles should begin to take real interest
in their own affairs. If they don't they
will suffer in pocket, reputation and
conscience. How their concerns could
be worse managed it would puzzle a
Philadelphia lawyer to find out. These
cumulative evils all follow upon the capi-
tai mistake of making our local affairs
matters of mere partizanship. The feel
ing. that Republicans must be elected at
all hazards is responsible for it all.