The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-11
A sTRAW-BOND REMEDY.
District Attorney Barnes Device to
Prevent Fraud,

The following communication in regard
to the bond frauds was yesterday
sent to the Mayor by District Attorney
William S. Barnes:
Hon. /. r. EHert MAJOR Of San Francisco
SIR: | take The liberty OF addressing this
communication TO You In relation to the exami-
nation and acceplance Of suIetes OH bail bonds
offered In the Police courts and Superior courts
OF tins city and county, because l feel that the
time has come when tile ministerial officers OF
This municipality should exert themselves TO
minimize au evil which has long tourished here
ana which recently has apparently attained
very grave proportions.
] understand from special counsel that dur
Ing the last fiscal year over Sl2 900 was lost to
the city.
therefore take the liberty to make the fol-
lowing suggestions to YOUR II onor, and through
your Honor to Ihe Board of Supervisors 10 re-
lailon TO the eXamtnd Ion aud approval of
bouGsmen. am willing 10 undertake and be
responsible Tor all bonds taken Ill the Superior
courts and Police courts under the following
| circumstances; First, ask to be allowed 10
| appoint person to be known as 1.-The bond
| clerk oil Tile District Attorney" at Il salary of
! $4,000 per annum, payable In monthly install
| ments OF $3.50 a MONTH whose duty IL shall be
| (d) To examine all boudsmcn Offering them
selves, either III Tie Superior courts or Police
| courts, In all cases of1elony aud misdemeanOr
| touching their qualifications as boudsmen;
| W 10 examine In each case the books OF The
| Assessor, Tax Collector and Recorder in order
| to SATISFY himself that the per-
| sons presenting themselves are really
! worth Inc sums IN which they
| seek to qualify (c) In the event that lie is sat
| l>iied by his said examination that the persons
| Offering themselves are good and sufficient
| suretes, lie shall in each case indorse his APP
| pIoyal upon tile proposed bonds; (tl) To keep a
| set OF books in which shall appear: ]. The
| name OF the person sought to be bailed; 2. The
| charge against him; 3. The date when the COM
| plaint OF Information OF Indictment, tile case
| may be, is filed; T. The names of the bonds.
| men; D. The particular property in which they
| seek to qualify, With Its description; g. Upon
! what other bond, If any, the sureties are liable.
| should luItber make IL Il ule that no bonds
men should he examined nor bonds approved in
| any case except between the hours of 8 A. NJ.
| End $50 Z. NJ, during which hours access
| could be had 10 The books OF the Recorder,
| Assessor aud Tax Collector.
If your honor should see 1T to approve OF these
| suggestions and the Beard OF Supervisors also
| should adopt them, and the various Judges aud
| clerks empowered tU accept bOndsinen should
agree not TO accept any bail except such as bore
| upon Its face The approval OF my deputy feel
! satisfied that The STRAW bond evil' would be
| mmmzed, The city would be saved many
| thousands OF dollars per annum. and the ends
! OF justice would be subsetyed. While | am
not anxious TO accept this responsibility in ad-
| dillon 10 my present duties, 1 make these sug.
gesliOus considering that II Is my duty TO do SO
| Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM s. BARNES, District Attorney