Los Angeles herald., 1892-08-27
TAXPAYERS MUST ANTE.
THE CITY's COFFERs DEPRIVED OF
THAT BIG CIKCUs FEE.
Mr.. Thompson's Bondsmen Said to Be
Liable for the Amount-Talk From
the Councilmen-The Mayors
Opinion.

Lawyers who were consulted yester-
day we're free to state that the bonds
men of City Tax Collector Len J. Thomp-
son were liable for the $500 license
which Mr.. Thompson failed to collect
off of Sell Bros'., the circus proprietors
who showed here July 11th and 18th.
OF course it is necessary for some one to
institute suit to recover it, but
whether this will be done remains to be
seen.
NOT ANXIOUS TO TALK.
There was rumor on the street yes
terday afternoon that the tax collector
would give to the city treasure his
check for $500, to reimburse the tax
payers for his neglect of duty. Mr..
Thompson was seen, however, and de-
MED that such was the case. Further
than to have his denial recorded, he had
nothing to say to reporters.
THE CoUNcILMEN's POSITION.
The councilmen who told Mr.. Thomp-
son that they thought it would be all
right for him to nullify the clause of the
license ordinance appertaining to the
circus, were 10th to talk yesterday.
Councilman Rees admits that he told
Mr.. Thompson he thought it was all
right as far as he was concerned for him
to collect a one-day's license for two
days. privilege. He, however, denies
that he received nine free tickets to the
show, but asserts that he only got four.
Mr.. Rees claims that it was the tax col
lector's duty to enforce the ordinance,
and if he did not do so he should be
held responsible. Some councilmen
allege that Mr.. Innes was present and
assented to the proposition, as we'll as
themselves. Mr.. Innes, however, still
claims that he was never consulted on
the subject. He proposes to bring the
matter up in the council on Monday
next and vindicate himself.
THE MAYORS OPINION.
His honor, the mayor, speaks very
plainly about the matter: He said: II
have Investigated the case thoroughly,
and there is simply no excuse for it,
either legally or morally. The city is
out five hundred cool dollars, and it has
is just simply undefensible, and that's
all there is to it,
1t was stated yesterday that George P.
McLain asserts that he left free circus
tickets for Mayor Hazard, but the mayor
says he got none.
A MANAGERS OPINION.
A well-known manager, in talking
about the exposure of this costly der
ELECTION of duty, as made by the HER
AID, said last evening:
"Your article in reference to dis
elimination of license in favor of Sells
Brothers. circus was very timely and
Just. An evening paper makes labor
ious effort to defend the officials whose
palpable dereliction of duty is apparent.
Without any excuse, other than that of
the verbal consent of several of our
worthy council, an ordinance is violated,
because, as the apologist asserts, 'is is q
sort of protection against snide shows
III this be sufficient reason, then why
not create public inspector of shows
for the sake of legal consistency,
and pass new license ordinance in con-
formity with his duties-a sort of ''slide.
Kelly. slide" scale to fit the merits of
the show, and the number of comps
distributed to city officials.
Sells Brothers took over $4,000 out of
town, and, instead of spending anything
in town, not only fed its "razor backs"
canvaHHmen. hoHtlere, etc., in the cook
tent, but also it's performers, from the
proprietors down. They all slept in
their cars. In other words, Sells Broth
ers receive $500 present from the city,
and take $4,000 out of the local circula-
tion. This is an unjust discrimination
against local business men and mer-
chants.
IN BUSINESS MANS VIEWS.
"When / am called on for my next Ii
cense, shall ask Mr.. Thompson to give
me as much consideration as circus"
said well-known business man yester-
day. 81 think we business men do as
much for the city as any travelling show
man. feel very sore about the matter,
and 80 do all the merchants, insurance
and real estate men know of, and they
are not backward about speaking their
minds. It was simply depriving the tax
payers OF the benefit of $500, which should
be in the city treasury. No excuse can
be made for the act"
WinteriIIa is for sale in this town, and is
used by all the ladies.