The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-11
Ell hAMMOND'S BONDSMEN
Trying to Devise Some Plan for Pay.
Ing the Shortage
Board Of Supervisors Some
Time This Week

The FL Hammond bondsmen have not
yet paio up, but they are getting in shape
to make the defalcation good. The orig
inal shortage was little over $12, 900. but
interest anu costs growing out of the
lengthy litigation, which has been on
practically since Ell Hammond absconded,
has now run the amount up to almost
$50, 900.
The position OF the bondsmen Is
peculiar one, and brief statement OF
the facts in the case will show that, as to
part OF them at least, tie supreme court
decision is in the nature Of a hardship.
When the defalcation was first discovered
some of the bondsmen on the second
term bond at once signifiea their willing
ness to pay their pro rata of the shortage
that fell within the second term, think
ing that the bondsmen on the first term
bond should pay the money taken prior
to the second term. Hammond, it will
be remembered, appropriated money COL
lected during his second term to pay his
shortage during the first. and the first
term bondsmsn commended that their
shortage having been made good, they
were not liable for anything. When this
point was legally decided in the su perior
court the judge deciding that the second
term bondsmen were liable for the full
amount, ana before an appeal was taken
10 the supreme court, some of the bonds
men again made the offer to pay their
pro rata at once, if they could be released
from further liability. but this offer was
refused BY the county officers. as it had
then been ascertained that some of the
bondsmen were execution proof, and it
was believed that the full amount could
be secured from those solvent. Suit was
accordingly brought and it has been in
the courts ever since, the supreme court
Judgment of the lower court giving judg-
mant for the full amount claimed against
the second term bondsmen.
This of course left these bondsmen
without further recourse. and since the
dscisicn they have been trying to arrive
ment OF their indebtedness. The last
nesting was held on Friday afternoon
last; at least one section met and virtu-
ally agreed on a plan by which they nope
to do tbkight thinG and at the same
time savVthemselves what money they
can.
For the sake of convenience it may be
said that the bondsmen have been divid-
ed into three classes. Glass No. have
furnished the money to carry on the liti-
cation, not 1ithstanding that: they have
always been willing 30 pay their pro rata.
Since the decision these gentlemen have
been tying to get the bondsmen together
and clean the matter up. Glass No. il
composed of men who are solvent, but
who have never contributed anything to-
ward carrying on the litigation. or have
they taken the slightest interest in the
movement to secure settlement. There
are four men holding Official positions.
either under the county or city, in this
class. Glass No. includes the insolvents,
those who have put their property IN the
names of their wives and those who have
left the country.
Glass No. l have agreed to go before tho
supervisors this week and tender them
the full amount oftthe original shortage,
a trifle over $l2. 600. They will then ask
that they be relieved from further liabil-
ity and that the county proceed against
classes Nos. 2 and for the balance. They
realize that they can be made to pay the
full amount. but as matter of equity
they think that the supervisors should
accept this compromise.
The outcome will be watched with
much interest.