The herald., 1894-10-21
THE COST OF THE COURT HOUSE.
The Citizens League Produces
Some Cold Facts.
Result of Examining the Bills for
Ten Years.
Its Total Cost to Date is Over Si,20O,-
COLLISIONS History About the
Construction of the
Building.

The Citizens league has been closely
considering the questions presented by
the coming change in the municipal
government and preparing to exert it's
influence towards securing new city
officials who will give the city what
both it and the county have sadly
needed in the past, safe, economical,
businees-like administration of public
affairs. The near future is likely to be
the most important period in the history
OF this city and the incoming council
will probably have the management of
the diebureing OF sum OF money far
larger than any amount ever expended
by any previous council. in purchasing
or perfecting water system, improving
parks and providing more school facil-
ties, and there have been lessons given
in the past which should serve as warn
ing guides to the voters in selecting tho
officers who are to handle the city's
finances for the next two years. The
city needs good men in the council
men of judgment, business sagacity and
of integrity above suspicion and such
can only be procured by careful exer-
else OF the elective franchise at the city
election. All political parties should see
to it that such men are nominated and
the individual voter, if he has any in
terest in the welfare and future
prosperity OF the city, if he has
any desire to have taxes kept within
reasonable limit, il he has wish for the
city to receive its moneys worth for all
expenditures, both for his own personal
benefit and also for that of the city at
large, he must make his selections care.
fully when voting. regardless of party
linz af
party, as a whole, can have any bearing
on thia matter. 1t is altogether a quea>
ton of men. Now is the great oppor-
tunity OF the ''scratcher" in Los An
geles.
Probably the most striking example
from which to learn a lesson from the
past for guidance in the future, is to be
found in the cost OF the Los Angeles
court house and Jail property. A care
full compilation Of the expenditures in
this matter, obtained by a diligent
search through the bills paid by the
county during the last 10 years. shows
that the total cost WAS nearly 81, 100, 900,
and adding to this the interest which
has been paid (or was due) on court
house bonds up to July 1st last, it is
found that the cost to date has been over
81, 200, 900, while should the bonds run
to maturity, the accrued Interest thereon
will make our court house and Jail prop
erty cost over 81 100000. There 10 food
for deep thought in these figures for this
county has no need for q $780, 900
court house and Jail property, neither
does it possess such. The conclusion Is
inevitable that rank csrelsssness, fla
grant extravaganza, and an utter lack of
the most ordinary business capacity. If
not actual fraud, attended the manage
ment OF this most important public busi-
ness. lack OF space forbids an analy-
sie OF these expenditures in detail, but
|, some OF the leading points give fair in
dications OF the whole.
1t was at first intended to build
court house not exceeding in cost $780,
600, and it was on this proposition
that the taxpayers consented to have
the work undertaken; yet the contract
for construction alone was made for
$4,000, besides which the concrete
foundations, amounting to $4,000, were
extra. The cost OF the bare court house
building, without furniture, and aside
from the grounds. was over $500, 600, and
onethird of this was for "extrss." The
building is not worth any such sum, and
could have been built for much less.
cost of the furniture, which was nearly
SIG, 900; and when comparison ia made
here, it seems almost incredible that the
grand jury of 1891 should have declared
that there was no evidence that anyone
had unlawfully received any money or
benefit from the work. Under date OF
October 10. 1891, Byron Ball submitted
an estimate 10 the grand jury in which
he offered to give good security for du-
picating some portions OF the furniture
at figures 80 much lower than those paid
by the county as to clothe the whole
furniture transaction with o cloak of
shame forever. The counter in the
treasurer's Office. for which the county
paid $l287, he offered to duplicate for
1856; that in the auditors office, which
cost $39S0, he could furnish for $776;
that in the tax collectors office, costing
1851, he offered for $3.50; two in the
assessors office, costing s6S69, he would
furnish for $l063; that in the aupervis-
ORE chamber, for which $2306 were paid,
he proposed to furnish for $3.50; that in
the clerks Office, for which the county
Was charged $25S7. he offered for $646,
and in addition to this the county paid
1924 for making change in this latter
which Mr.. Ball agreed to do for $50. In
furnishing four superior court rooms
Mr.. Ball agreed to put in for $5992 du-
plicate of what cost the county $15, 724.
Taken altogether, that portion which
Mr.. Ball estimated cost the county
SAB, 642, while he would have furnished
it for SIS 064-less than one.third as
much. If this same ratio continues
throughout. it is evident that the coun-
ty paid about three prices for its furni-
ture. or some $4,000 more than it was
worth.
Another item that appears like an
enormous charge is some $500 which
WAS paid as commissions for selling
bonds and services in the capacity of
Commercial agents." and there was
another bill of some $4,000 for like ser
vices, which was contested and not paid,
the supreme court deciding that the
supervisors had no authority to contract
such bills.
There are other items in this matter
which could be discussed to the advan-
tage of the public, but sufficient is here
given to awaken the intelligent voter to
a realization of the necessity OF electing
thoroughly trustworthy and competent
men to handle the large sums OF money
which the city will be called upon to
expend soon. amounting probably to
from SO 900. 900 to SO. 100000.
Before you get married look at the
Glenwood range; after you are married
buy the Glenwood range. Furrey COM
pany.