Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-24
MR.. BAKER EXPLAINS.
A RAILROAD MANS EXPERIENCE
WITH THE TAX COLLECroR.
An Attempt to Collect Poll Tax Twice.
A Request for Correction
Treated with Insolsnce.
Republican Promises.


HERALD an extended letter explaining
his trouble with the tax collectors IS
Office, and showing up some of the
Republican delinquencies. After refut-
ing the charge in most complete man
ner, that ne is not a property holder,
and q respectable citizen, Mr.. Baker
says:
In explanation of my trouble with
the tax office, beg to submit the
following statement, to the ver-
acity OF which am in every way pre-
pared to attest. On the 10Th day of MAY
last |, with all other employees of the
Southern California Railway company,
was garnisheed for the amount of So
poll tax, for which I got receipt, for
mally and properly signed and num-
bered. But, to my surprise, on the 10th
day of October was the recipient of
very peremptory note, demanding me
to pay So on the same account; and be-
ing comparatively unsophisticated and
unacQuainted with the mysteries and
eccentricities of the poll tax department,
|, thinking that some political mounte-
bank was trying to make capital out of
my innocence, did not consider it neces-
sary to make reply.
On calling at the Office to pay my
property taxes was presented with an
extra bill for So, to which, / must con-
fess, l very positively objected, aud was
referred to the official at the next win
dow. When explained my case as re-
spectfully as possible to that Hful dig.
nitary, he became 80 inflated with in
dignation that to my humble imagina-
tion it seemed as though he was en-.
deavoring to successfully solve in him
self the much discussed question of
aerial navigation.
As soon as he had recovered from his
surprise at the fact that an humble tax.
payer and common citizen should doubt
his ability as clerical phenomenon, he
assailed me in the most opprohrious
manner, saying that "must be Dem.
ocrat, and if so the mistake did not
amount to much" after which be re.
luctantly proceeded to rectify his error.
Now, sir, / have voted the Republican
ticket ever since | have had voice in
politics, but consider that his remark
cast more of slur on the party whose
cause l have ever espoused than on the
opposing party, and beg through your
columns to ask all good Republicans
and Democrats alike if we can devise no
method for eliminating such animals
from our public offices. l think I can
assert with considerable confidence that
I, with hundreds of my fellow workmen,
who have been abused in similar man
ner, will successfully and satisfactorily
solve the question before the middle of
November.
will say in conclusion that I am at
present mystified as to whether their con-
duct is the result of a maladministra-
tion of the poll tax laws, culpable neg
ligence, or preconcerteo scheme to rob
such of the general public who have
been careless enough to loose track of
their poll tax receipts.
2 of skeem
MORE REPUBLICAN PROMISES.
The Republican chances and prospects
of success in Los Angeles county have
certainly become desperate. The candi-
dates are making all manner of pledges
to any and ybody that will bring to
their waning ticket vote. This fact
has become notorious and generally
known. If the candidates should hap
pen to be elected, and keep all of their
promises, there will be a larger army in
the court house for the taxpayers to feed
for the next two years than there is at
present. As it is now, deputies fall over
each other in mad endeavor to find
something to occupy their time. OF
course, some deputies work. but the su-
perfuous ones-and their name is le-
gion-do not. Said prominent Repub-
lican yesterday:
"Great Scott! 1 don't know what we
will do if our candidates keep all the
pledges they have made of promises of
place. Why, / know of one candidate
who has promised the first place in his
office to man at Artesia, and the came
job to a man at Wilmington. Then
know of at least 30 deputyships that he
has scattered out around the county
promised this man and that man. Now,
he will have about IL or l5, at the fur
thermost appointments. What is he
going to do with the other Is or 1S who
are bound to be disappointed, for he
cannot possibly give them places.
would not be in his position for any
thing, if he should be elected"