Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-01
LABOR LISTENS TO DEMOCRACY,
A Most Successful Mass Meeting
Last Night.
General Mathews Makes Most Tell
ing Speech.
workingmen Attend in Large Numbers,
An Interesting Series of Addresses
Made-Features of the
Evening.

hall last evening was success in every
way. About 500 voters assembled to
listen to discussion of the labor ques-
tion from Democratic standpoint. A
number OF the candidates on the county
ticket were present, as we'll as the can
didates for the legislature.
Capt. F. B. Colver, the candidate for
county auditor, acted as the president
of the evening and John H. Flynn as
secretary.
The frat speaker of the evening was
Homer G. Katz. The gentleman pre-
sented some strong arguments demon
strating that the workingmen should
vote the Democratic ticket. In closing
MIR. Katz said
81 want to say few words to you in
reference to the candidacy of Frank B
Colver, the Democratic candidate fol
county auditor. If there is one man
who deserves the unqualified and hearty
support of the working men it is Captain
Colver. He is in every sense working
man. His influence for good has been
at the printers case, in labor halls
|
bodies. l have been associated with
him in the local Council of Labor of the
Federated Trades. He has been oul
treasurer for two terms. His word is
his bond. His advice is always Of the
best, moderate and temperate in it's de-
cisions affecting the welfare OF his fell
low-laborers, untiring in their interests,
no man is closer to their hearts than
Frank B. Colver. There breathes not
in this city kindlier or better, hon.
est, rugged and true man than he."
Hon. J. G. Kays, the nominee for the
assembly in the Seventy-fourth district,
made a few brief remarks, placing him.
self eauarely on record as friend oi
labor and of the taxpayers.
Hon. j. r. Mathews, the candidate
for state senator in the Thirty-seventh
district, was presented. He spoke as
follows:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW CITIZENS
The population of the city of Los Angeles
has increased from 1000 in 1880 to
about &c, 900 at the present date.
Our bank deposits within the last seven
years have increased over $7,505, 900.
This is all natural growth, resulting
from the mutual assistance of labor and
capital and, although the progress thus
appearing is gratifying. nevertheless the
present condition of affairs suggests that
there are matters upon which our future
welfare is dependent calling for serious
consideration.
The legislature is the most important
branch of our state government. There
must be enacted the various general
laws controlling county governments,
municipal corporations and corporations
and associations in general. Hence, the
principal duty of the Legislature is not
OF political nature, but calls for the
exercise of business qualifications,
joined, Of course, to unquestioned in-
tegrty. The mere politician generally
makes the interests of the people of Sec
ondary consideration. For these rea-
sons l think it we'll to advise you to
some extent as to the measures which |
believe for the public good. 1 will
briefly mention the following:
The mortgage tax should, in my judg-
ment, be abolished, as it entails hard
ship upon the borrowing classes, vino
are assisting to build and make our
country prosperous. Every borrower
knows that the morgatgee always adds
to the amount which he intends to
charge by way of interest sufficient
sum to msre than cover the tax. Hence
this constitutional provision, designed
to benefit the mortgagor, practically in
jures him. l would, if possible, abolish
the TAX upon growing trees and vines,
that outside capital might be induced to
engage in the business of planting Or
chards and vineyards, and thus stlmu.
late our agricultural growth and aug
ment our productions.
Good roads are an absolute necessity.
| am in favor of the passage of bill
similar to the municipal street bond act
which was enacted by the last legisla-
ture largely through my efforts. Under
a similar provision and by the assist
ance of the popular vote, we would be
able to issue bonds for the construc-
tion of boulevards; for example, from
this city to Santa Monica, Downey, Pas
adena and San Fernando. By carrying
out such plan we will not only beautify
our county, but make it attractive to
tourists and health-seekers, but a great
saving and convenience to our producers
must result, to say nothing of the en-
ployment which will be afforded our la
boring classes. And in the end we will
have good roads for less money than is
under our present piece meal
system, whereby our revenue is squan-
dered and we still remain without roads.
The present constitution, as adopted
in 1879, provides that state board of
equalization shall be elected, consisting
OF four members, one from each con-
gressional district; the state controller
to act as ex -officio member OF the board
In 1879 the Fourth congressional dis
trict consisted of the 10 counties south
of San Francisco, and no change has
been made since, although the constitu-
ton expressly empowers the Legislature
10 re-district according to population
whenever it deems fit. The present
Fourth district consists of all the coun-
lies south of San Francisco, 10 in num-
Der, and the vote of the district in 1890 |
vas as follows:
'irst equalization district ............. 55,17O
'econd equalization district .......... 81 637 |
Third equalization district ............ 56,579 |
'oJrth equalization district. ...... S6,908 |
1t will thus be seen that the Fourth |
district, comprising all the counties
outh of San Francisco, cast SO, 9OS votes,
,r 80, 600 more than either of the other |
districts.
California should now be redistricted
10 as to give one member of the board
o the Sixth congressional district and
me to the Seventh, which would give
southern California two members. If
We are permitted to thus elect
member of the board from this section,
We will not suffer the injustice which
las been occasioned by the annual rails
ng of our assessment rolls. The pres
MT board, being wholly composed of