The herald., 1894-03-25

Mayor Chaplin being dropped into OBJ.
security. The workings of rings were
also dwelt upon stlength. Mr.. Hsrman
has played q prominent part in the re-
form movement of Brooklyn, and his re-
marks were interspered with amusing
references to the means by which the
leaders OF the ring were beaten.
At the conclusion OF his talk the fol-
lowing letter from W. D. Wiles, mayor
oi the city of Minneapolis, was read:
G. J. Griffith, Secretary:
Noticing that mass meeting Is to be
held under the auspices of the
Citizens league this evening, at
which the subject of charter revision
will be discussed, and the thought has
occurred to me that some information
concerning the charter of Indianapolis,
Ind, may prove OF some interest to the
citizens OF Los Angeles at the present
time. This charter is probably entitled
TO be regarded as the most modern in
Its ideas and construction. 1t provides
that the only elective officers of the city
shall be mayor, 81 councilmen and q
city clerk, all others being appointed by
the mayor. The business of the city
is divided into departments, managed
by boards OF com missioners, the mem
bers OF which are appointed by the
mayor, and the employees of the differ.
ent departments are appointed by the
boards and work under the civil
service rules whereby they can only be
removed for cause, while the mayor
may remove the members of these
boards at any time. By this system all
persons are prevented from using the
city's employees for political purposes,
and at the same time the mayor has
sufficient authority over them to keep
all the departments OF the city govern.
ment on an economical, efficient and
trustworthy basis.
This charter has been in use for al
most four years, and has given most
thorough satisfaction to all parties.
The following motion, offered by Col.
Dunkelberger, was unananimously
adopted:
Whereas, The expenditures of the
city and county governments of Los An
geles have grown enormous, nearly
81 600,0 having been spent therein last
year. which amount is more than the
cost OF government of each of 29 states
OF the Union, and is more than the COM
bined cost of six OF the states, and makes
an average tax, including state, county
and city taxes, OF $25. 81 pc. capita, and
Whereas. The number of officers and
employees is so far out of proportion to
the necessities OF the business trans-
acted as to be utterly preposterous,
nearly 1000 people having been in the
employ of the city and codnty last year,
which number does not include any
school teacher, either city or county,
nor any of the city's day laborers, nor
special deputies, nor any of the county's
road employees, which if added together
with the officers and employees of the
other municipalities in the county would
nearly double the number, and
Whereas, Our local governments,
through unwise legislation, have taken
on form, complex and irresponsible,
which has fastened upon us psrnicioas
system of caucuses and primaries; and
Whereas. experience and investigation
satisfy us that the existing deplorable
state Of affairs in our local governments
originates in and is largely due to this
eystem OF caucuses and primary cleo
tions, which enables the evil elements
OF the different political parties to gain
control, while the better elements are
otherwise occu pied and carelessly neglect
bho CuuCuooc nAO VI W n6n
they do attempt to take an interest
their votes are suppressed or the ballot
box stuffed by repesters.
Therefore, In view of the protesta-
ti6ns, made by all political parties, of
desire for good government, and the
promises which they make to give such
to the people, in case of success at the
pollsj be it
Resolved. That we. as a nom partisan
body, do hereby request all political
parties of Los Angeles county to adopt
some plan Tor fair caucuses and primary
elections. which will be equitable and
just to all members of the respective
parties and bring out the full vote of
each, thus not leaving the control of
the party machinery to fall into the
hands OF those to whose interest it is to
corrupt it.
Mr.. Medill then spoke briefly, after
which Mr.. Abbott Kinney was heard on
the errors of the present governments of
cities.
Mr.. SlRuson announced that the COM
mittee of 100 citizens to act on Colonel
Dunkelburger's resolution would be an
nounced later in the week, after which
the meeting was declared adjourned.
---------------