The herald., 1893-10-16
A GREAT CONTROVERSY AHEAD.

1t was said by man of grizzled ex-
perience in the ways of the world, when
his attention was called to some passing
trouble that involved the Sitting of q
number of throats, "Who is the
Woman?" this wise old man in his
journey through life had kept his eyes
open.
The municipality of Los Angeles is
convulsed just now with the question as
to whether Miss Kelso, our accom-
plished librarian, should be permitted
to draw from the treasury OF the city
the sum OF 5000 for the expenses of hef
trip to the Columbian Worlds Fair ex-
position, which at that time happened
to have congress of librarians some
where upon and within its ample super
ficies. The city auditor has declined to
pay this demand on the ground that the
city charter forbids the auditing OF any
but itemized bills. Lump bills are an
athena maranatha in our municipal
law. and very properly 60, because whole
armies of AfricanH, fguratively speak
ing, can be concealed 10 myriad fgura.
tive wood piles.
AS against this postulate Of the city
auditor an astute member Of the library
board sets up the proposition that the
trip was a single item-$200. He con-
tends that that settles the whole husi-
ness. 1t is certainly very compendious
treatment of the matter; and when one
comes to look at it, it shows great mod
GRAFTON.
In advancing this view Of the subject
we know whereof we speak. For why,
let us ask any of our readers, ehould not
this single item have not been made $500
or $400. Lump sums are so easily rolled
trippingly off the tongue, go to speak.
1t is as easy to send in a lump bill for
$500 as for 200. And when we consider
the worth and omplishments of the
librarian we would as readily gee her
take $500 out of the city treasury as
5000. 1t was noticeable circumstance
that, during her absence, there was no
lack of complaint of any diminished ef-
ficiency in the administration OF the de-
tails of the library. Everything went
along as smoothly as clock work, 80 that
the absence OF the nonpareil librarian
was not even perceived. But that, OF
course, was owing to the thorough dis
cipline which she had established.
You may break, you may shatter the vase if
you VIII,
But the odor Of the roses will linger there still.
for xua infnrnlaH Miaa
Kelso's departure to make the acquaint-
ance of her fellow Librarians at Chicago
reduced the force at the library to
twenty-nine, including the janitor. Even
this reduced force of twenty-nine seemed
to be reasonably effective. There was
not, during the whole time of the libra
rian's absence, single complaint OF d.
minished efficiency in the service of this
invaluable adjunct of the harmonious
life OF the Angelic City.
Under the circumstances, we beg to
suggest that system that has been
found to work 80 well should be ex-
tended. Why not send Miss Kelso to ex-
anime the libraries OF the principal cities
OF Europe, with the understanding that
her chief assistant should also go along,
and take in the city of Alexandria and
dig up all the facts now attainable as to
the library OF ancient Alexandria. that
is, those portions OF it which the Mos
lems have not succeeded in obiterating.
Then the next assistant librarian could
have rowing commission. taking in she
Bodleian Library, in London, the Lii
brary of the Sorbonne, in Paris, that of
the Shah of Persia, in Ispahan. and 90
on, giving special attention to improv-
ing features which might be adapted to
Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, their salaries could 60 on