The herald., 1893-05-16

was retroactive 80 far as Temple street
was concerned and was therefore uncon-
stitutional. 1t took from the bona fide
residents on that street the right to inn
prove that street at their own expense
and compelled them to paw street con-
tractors for doing the work, which he
believed to be also Illegal. He repre-
sented frontage OF over two-thirds on
. Temple street, as we'll as people residing
on side streets, the grade OF which will
be effected by this cut. There is not
one-third ownership of Temple street
property among the men who are advo-
eating this proposition and advocating 1t
solely from motives Of speculation.
Mr.. Millard was the next speaker. He
said that Judge Cheney had made an
argument against the carrying on OF
this much needed work and he talked as
though he were addressing the supreme
court. He had warned the council
against the dangers that overhung this
policy. Mr.. Millard believed that the
protesting parties were advocating a
penny wise and pound foolish policy.
He believed he would be taxed $40 to
$50 on this improvement and also be-
lieved it to be a good thing for property
holders on Temple Hill.
M. P. Snyder said he was not an at
torney but private citizen. He be-
lieved it would cost money to make the
proposed assessment, but the value is
destined to be fourfold whenever that
hill is cut through. He believed it is
deadlock on that street to prohibit it's
being regarded and improved. 1t de-
served to be done. Give the people out
on Temple street an easy approach to
this city and you will see an increase in
values all over that region.
Mr.. Davy was the next speaker. He
said that he had lived in that part ofthe
city for Is years; that if the proposed
cut 10 not had, he will sell his property
and go to some more progressive portion
OF the city.
Mr.. Burkhardt, pleasant faced Ger
man, was the next speaker. He is a
born comedian and his first remark
threw the council into an uncontrol-
able fit of laughter. He said:
81 have lived, Mr.. President, in that
vicinity, and have seen it stand still
while all the rest of Los Angeles went
ahead. The man who lives on Bunker
Hill will be like Bob Ingersolls friend
Moses. He will look down on Temple
street like Moses did on the Promised
Land, but he never lived to get there"
Senator Cole said that Temple street
was naturally the main artery of travel
into the city from the valleys of San Fer
nando and Oahuengs. A farmer could
leave home with two tons OF farm produce
and haul it ten or dozen miles without
difficulty till he got to the foot of that
hill, and there he has got to unload
portion of his wagons load or else double
up with his teams. 1t is with view of
enabling farmers to get produce into
town cheaply, that the proposed re-
grading of Temple street.
(Mr Nickel in the chair.)
Mr.. Teed called upon the city attorney
to say what he Thought OF the assertion
of Judge Cheney, that the recent act of
the legislature is unconstitutional.
The city attorney said the conetitn-
tionality of the law had already been
tested before Judge Shaw, and to use his
own words, ''every lawyer in Los Angeles
had q whack at it.' II there had been
any constitutional defects in it, some
not afraid to risk the validity of the law.
Mr.. Munson moved the clerk be au-
thorized to advertise for bids on the
work. Lost.
On motion of Mr.. Innes, the matter
was referred to the city engineer and
city attorney, to submit specifications of
the work at next Mondays session of
the council.
SECOND STREET APPEAL.
The appeal of Messrs. Polk and Smith,
contractors, against the assessment
levied by the street superintendent, D.
A. Watson, for work done on Second
street, between Los Angeles and Alame-
da streets, was then taken up. Mr.. Teed
moved the appeal be dismissed. Carried
ayes, z; nays, 0.
The council then adjourned till Tues
day, May 10Th, at 10 a. m.