Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-09

and securing proper evidence to convict
we have but little doubt.
Existing laws seem to be inadequate
to govern the situation, and as is well
known, the Chinese have many cunning
devices, constantly resorted to, to de-
feat the ends Of Justice. We believe the
present chief OF police has exercised the
utmost power Of his Office to suppress
the gambling in Chinatown, and has
succeeded to an extent not heretofore
attained.
AS to the second question mentioned,
we would respectfully call the attention
of the proper authorities to existing or
dinances, and especially ordinance No.
224, which if rigidly enforced would to a
great extent remedy the evil.
GAMBLING.
We have found it exceedingly diff
cult, indeed we'll nigh impossible, to OBJ
tain evidence sufficient to find an in
dictment against any person for con-
Quoting prohibited gambling games.
That they are carried ON in this county
ls certain, and carried on persistently,
and as regular business.
The difficulty of prosecution lies in
| the fact that no one is permitted to be
present except those who are. either as
keepers of the game, employees or play
ers, all equally guilty. And any in
quiry made of them is at once answered
with claim of privilege from answer
ing questions that would tend to Grim
mate themselves.
If therefore, the object of the law is to
suppress gambling, we think the law it
self should be materially modified, and
that portion of section $50 of the Penal
Code which declares those who play or
bet against any prohibited game guilty
of misdemeanor, should be stricken out,
and we recommend that section $50 be
so amended as to make the dealing, car
rying on or causing to be opened, or
conducting, either as owner or employee,
the games mentioned, misdemeanor,
but not including the players or betters
against the game.
II is the judgment of this grand jury
that all the proceedings OF the board of
supervisors in relation to the expendi-
ture of money, and such other matters
as are of Importance to the public,
should be published at least once a
month in one or more newspapers of
general circulation in the county.
PEST HOUSE.
Our attention has been called to the
pest house, and its being on the main
travelled road to the Elysian park and
surrounded by private residences. We
would recommend that the city council
and park commissioners take steps to
have said pest house removed to a more
suitable place.
[The public school system is described
as the most expensive in the United
States, and it is questioned if it is the
best; it is recommended that the super
visors require the county superintend-
ent of schools to make monthly imam
cial reports; township government is
characterized by superfuity of officers
and excessive salaries; one assessment
by the county assessor for state, county
and municipal purposes is recommended !;
four judges are declared sufficient for
the county; the report concludes as
followsl:
FREE PASSES.
We have examined large number of
witnesses regarding infractions of sec
ton 10, article II of the constitution of
the state of California, which reads as
follows:
"No railroad or other transportation
company shall grant free passes or
passes or tickets at discount to any
person holding any Office of honor,
trust or profit in this state, and the
acceptance of any such pass or ticket
by member OF the legislature or any
puhlic officer other than railroad COM
missioner, shall work a forfeiture of his
Office"
We find that several persons holding
county and municipal offices have ac-
cepted and used passes On various lines
of transportation but we find no pro-
vision in the penal code by which we
are warranted in taking action in the
matter.
Allof which is respectfully submitted,
+. BoUToN,
Foreman Grand Jury.
G. N. EARL, Secretary.