The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-12

to change their residences or for6go other
business, receive more than these last
named etate officers; and others atill,
as we'll as certain employees. are fur-
nished with their living in addition TO
their pay, which latter is much in
EXCESS of that received by ctizsna who
perform similar service for private par
ties. | speak now only OF such as do
not require special education or training
for the positions which they fill.
Having made my canvass for the
governorship on the lines here indi.
Gated. it is matter OF peculiar gratif.
cation to me to find the controller, who
ia of the party that opposed me in the
election, verifying, iu the annexed ex-
tract from his report just issued. what l
said to the psople in the campaign.
Compared with other ststes, of evan
far greater population. this amount
($S, QUO. 900 year, is simply enormous.
There is no good reason for such extray-
agauce. While it is trus our state is
large in territory, ita products many and
varied, and We are now undergoing what
might bs termed a creative or forms-
tive period, nevertheless theirs are ND.
msrous items OF expense that may be
done away with without the slightest
injury TO this state's interests, aud in
thsae stringent times it should bs the
first duty OF the legislature to reduce
taxation to the lowest possible limit.
CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.
Our constitution declares, in article
II. section 5. that this legislature, by
general and uniform. laws, may provide
for tbs election or appointment, in tho
sol g
officers, and that it shall regulate their
compensation in proportion to THAR du.
ties, and for this purpose may classify
counties by population. The plain
meaning ia for general classification OF
such counties as have an approximately
equal population; yet we find the most
dissimilar and discriminating classifica-
tons and the most unequal and unjust
burdens imposed on the tax payer. the
plain constitutional provisions being
ruthleasly ignored. There are So classes
under this law out OF total
OF 81 counties. or nearly one class
to each county. The difference in
population forming ths alleged baeis
OF the classification is often tidiculously
eight. although the compensation OF
officers varies. Thus in counties of the
VIA coCJuu hAu CiH5H69,
the difference in population, according
to tho latest enumeration, is but 81 900,
while the difference in population
in classes thirty first and thirty-second
is but $4,000. Nevertheless, these
classes differ widely in the salaries and
other compensation allowed their off.
Gals. Again, many counties have diff
ferent fee bills, and while the clerks
fon in nrn ,k,vv,r ~
probable or contested case the cum of
So. in other counties they may run into
the hundreds. These ungrounded and
unnecessary differences impose unequal
burdens upon the people.
The truth is. that our existing schsms
OF county government ia o species OF the
most unjust and unequal special legisla-
ton imaginable, along with being, as
the courts have so frequently declared,
Obviously unconstitutional. The neces.
sary Limitations of this Communication
do not permit FULL consideration of eli
its inequalities and iniquiiies. The
illustrations presented, however, will
suffice to draw your attention to the
condition of the law, and suggest the
necessity for its amendment. We should
lay aside all other considerations than
those OF the public good. and devote our
selves assiduOusly to this i'm portant task.
The members OF the legel profession
in your respective bodies, comprising,
as they do, come of the best lawyers in
the state, should have he matter re.
ierred to them instead OF to persons I'M
familiar with the many decisions OF the
courts covering the matter Should you
psss q new act, drawn in accordance
with the suggestions of our supreme
court in Doughtery vs.. Austin (94 Cal.
$685. our people would be relieved OF
many oppressive and unjust burdens,
and freed from the necessity of much
useless litigation.
CHAOTIC LAWS.
The laws under which CITY govern
ments operate are in a scarcely less
chaotic state. Take for exam pie the
municipa! improvement. bill, known as
the Vrooman act, as amended, and
under which public work ia done. This,
in many cases imposes unjust burdens
upon property owners. and ia essentially
a contractors law, 1t should bs care
fully amended. Property owners should
havs a right 10 appeal to the courts
against inferior street work or the fall
any condition or specification OF the
agreement. and every contractor should
be put under bonds to kesp the work in
repair for three years, and during that
period to remsdy all injury or damage
thereto arising from inherent defects.
The cost OF preliminary street work
under the present act eau easily be res
duced over SO per cent.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDM ENTs.
There should be two constitutional
amendments submitted to the people,
one abolishing the clause making the
findings of the railroad commission con-
elusive, and another requiring special
qualifications for eligibility to the office.
Many other states accept none but men
OF special training far this most re
sponsib,e position. Iu SONS lawyer, a
man experienced in railroad matters
aud a business man are required to COZ
etitute the commission. In California
anyone who can get the nomination
may run. OF course this change might
make necessary an alteration of the
method OF selecting the commission, bnt
as in IA years experience in this state
we have not covered ourselves with glory
through the operation of the law as it
stands, almost any kind OF a change
would be an improvement. Tae finding
might bs prima facls, allowing either
party to apply to the courts in case OF
dispute or manifest wrong. | here state
nothing new to the people and intend
no reflection upon any individual MEM
Der OF the railroad commission. past or