San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-10-27

vsgsnce. The large sums extorted
from our taxpayers have not been
sufficient to meet the demands of
his extravaganza administration.
The new city hall is an instance OF
acknowledgement. costing $50, 900 more
than originally contracted for, whit
in every department expense after eN.
pense has been added. The ASSESS
ments OF the property owners have
been raised in order to Increase the
tax burdens; funds voted by the peo-
pie have been deviated from their
original purpose and have disap-
peared, notably the garbage furnace
fund. The city has been monthly
borrower from one of our banks, at a
high rate of interest, to meet current
expenses, and in addition to this there
have been submitted two bond prop
sitions, one involving two million
dollars and one $3.50, 900, which for
tunateIy the Taxpayers voted down.
No heed has been paid to the strin-
gency OF the times, or any effort made
to retrench or economize public ex-
penditures. The mayor has spent q
large portion of his official life in
junkstip abroad, leaving his office
to the management of deputy, there.
by neglecting the public interests;
this has been q notorious scandal.
THE FAILING OF THE GRAND JURY.
A grand jury, composed of good cit
liens, in pursuance of their sworn
duty, found 1t necessary to look into
the affairs of the city; the result
WAS the finding of indictments
against Mayor Callaghan for the mis-
appropriation of public funds, having
paid himself the salary as mayor, the
same salary being drawn by his depu-
ty. Other officials were indicted for
felonies. This grand jury also locke ed
into the county affairs and brought
Indictment against one county official
who was displaced from Office. In
the midst of their official business
they were ruthlessly brought before
Judge King and cast into the county
jail for contempt. A thing unhesrd
OF in the history of our country. The
people rose, every good citizen felt
that his liberty, the sanctity of the
laws, the veal of the community was
in danger; mob violence was averted
by the wise and patient bearing of
these twelve men, who bore the in.
dignity they were subjected to until
the highest court of the state ordered
their release. The imprisonment Of the
grand jury was but q part of the bold,
high. handed conspiracy of the office
holders trust to prevent even the
courts from bringing them to account.
ability. The indictments found by
that grand juryare still pendingy and
Bryan Callaghan has the audacit to
ask the people to elect him to the inn
portant office of county and probate
Judge. Can the people stand this?
A succeeding grand jury found in
dictments against the county judge,
county commissioners and county
assessor TOR misapplIcation of
public funds. Their cases were rushed
10 trial; the case against the asses
sor was dismissed with the under-
standing that he should return the
money be had received, (has he re-
turned it?) The county judge and
were acquitted on the
plea OF ignorance of the law. This
ought to be suffic ient to put an end to
their official careers.
THE COUNTY JOB.
The taxpayers OF our county have
before them the contemplation of q
gigan tic job in the erection Of a new
court house. Already $350,000 bond-
ed indie btedness has been created for
this job, and we'll informed persons
declare that it will require SINH
lar sum to finish the building.
Every step, every contract, and
piece OF work, done on this job, has
teen reckless of the interests of the
public and tinged with corruption.
This is evidently the plum in sight.
In the conduct Of the public work
on our county roads the money of the
people has been wasted, and every
has been made to secure
votes for those in office.
WHY TURN OUT OLD AND TRUE Of
FICIALS.
The only plea that will be put up
is why should the people turn out old
officers and put In new men. The
offices belong to the people aud not to
al official clique. A crisis has arisen
in our affairs when for the public
good it is necessary to change the
in charge of our affairs. Our
public Offices are all of q character |
that the duties can be we'll and eff
GENTLY performed by intelligent men.
This must be so, or else our public |
business would be in danger of being |
brought to a standstill by the death |
or displacement of officials. Every !
citizen knows this to be |
so. The men in office, many of them |
at least, have become sffluent, even |
county commissioners, VINO only re-
ceive psltry salary; and
for this reason it is time |
they were retired. 1t is not |
the policy of our institutions to
build up a wealthy class of office
holders. Our county affairs need |