Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-25
LOCAL LIGHTS AND SHADOWS.

LOCAL LIGHTS AND SHADOWS.
1t really goes against our grain to ap-
pear to be always in peevish and COM
planning mood, but we really can't help
it. Republican delinquencies multiply
at such an alarming rate that it is diff
cult to interrupt our ieremiads. This
malversation ranges through all lines OF
spoliation. Take, for instance, the
board OF supervisors. Here are lot of
gentlemen who are supposed to give
their services to the county for $5 day.
One would naturally think that day,
or, at the most, two days a week, would
be ample time in which to dispose of
the affairs of the county, as the
city council can dispatch their
business very easily in that time. But
the city fathers are paid a monthly sal
ary, and, consequently, do not think it
necessary to remain always in session.
The supervisors, on the other hand, are
supposed to depend on their per diem.
As a not unnatural consequence, they
find great many opportunities for pro-
longing their sessions. Perhaps the tax
payers would be content if each OF the
five supervisors drew 50 day for 3l5
working days. That would amount to
$7S75 for the five for year. But
they draw ior more than that.
For the year 1891 these gentle
men drew, for salaries and
$19 .1O1.50. In addition to
this magnificent total, which is within
a fraction of $40 a day for
each supervisor for 315 days, that
body appropriated the sum of 1899 SS
for services sitting as board of equaliz-
alton. This brings up the grand total
to $14, ,101 3S for the services of these
gentlemen for the year 1891. 1t would
thus look to man up tree, or away
down in big hole in the ground, that
these gay and festive officials have been
playing fast and loose with the funds of
the hard-bested taxpayer. That body
can add this charge as a separate count
to the libel suit which, it has been as
serted, it has been contemplating bring
ing against the HERALD. It can also re-
quest the grand jury to include this
matter in its investigation.
There is rumor around the streets
of Los Angeles that the board of super
vieors are about to order the erection of
a stone fountain in front of the new
court house, at an expense of from
$40 900 to s25 900. If this is true, it is
to be hoped that bids will be invited.
1t would be gross breach of duty to
determine upon such an important
matter without inviting compe-
tition. 1t is said that an
ounce of prevention is worth
a pound of cure. Our remarks
are strictly in that line. 1t may be
said, when we have compelled public
competition by this protest, that the
supervisors never had any other inten-
ton. Well, we are willing to risk this
smart rejoindsr in the interest of the
taxpayers. Such omissions have oc-
Cured before, and if we are fortunate
enough to prevent one in this case we
shall consider that we have done the
good people solid service. A number
of people who are anxious to bid on this
fountain have been unable to obtain any
information about it. By the way, con-
sidering the briet tenure of Office of the
present board, why would it not be a
good thing to postpone all material i'm
provements until the new board takes
it's seat?
The chamber of commerce is prepar-
ing an excellent bill. Under its provis-
ions the county auditor will be COM
PEELED to advertise monthly all the
expenditures of the board of supervisors
and other bodies authorized to spend the
public moneys. This would cost some
thing, but it is wonderful how much it
would save to the taxpayer. If the
board of supervisors knew that its out
lays were being carefully scrutinized
that body would be very much more
cautious in it's action. This rule has
been found to work admirably wherever
it has been tried. 1t has a repressive
effect upon the most honest body, and
brings home sense of responsibility to
our local lawgivers. 1t ought to pass by
all means.
We have not seen in any quarter an
attempt to explain the borrowing OF
$75 900 from the State Loan and Trust
company OF Los Angeles at time when
there were 5000, 900 in the hands of the
county treasurer belonging to the
county. This was one of the most ex-
traordinary of the many peculiar things
done by the present board of supervis-
ors. Why pay interest when the county
had large surplus on hand? We sug-
gest to the grand jury that this is an
other point which they would do well to
include in their investigation. While
the board Of supervisors arrogates to