The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-13

sor. The County Clerks attention was called
10 y. TINS great excess OF expense as compared
with that OF his predecessor. His reply was
that the work in the office when he took charge
was at least six months in arrears, and 1T was
absolutely necessary to increase the force OF
clerks to catch up with the work, which his
predecessor denies.
We are informed that it has been the custom
OF County Clerks to commence some six months
before the expiration of their terms of Office to
electioneor and logrou for denomination, and
numbers of the deputies are permitted to
Office hours to assist the chief in his ambition.
Who can wonder at the large amount OF work
left unfinished at the end of each term?
Relating to the great increase of expense in
this office, it is wei known that the platform
issued and adopted by the convention that
nominated the incumbent demanded that
on $4,000 per month. The County Clerk de-
MES having Endorsed the platform or made
any pledge to the convention to conduct his
pede upon eondna the o 6h as
economically as he could.
Several men have been rewarded with posi-
spectors at the last election in the precincts
where the grossest frauds were committed, and
in the interest of the County Clerk. Comment
is unnecessary.
Sheriff's ONCE.
The Sheriff is still complaining of the oper-
alton of the fee bill, and refuses to act under it,
This bill was designed to bring to the public
treasury fees that had been the illegitimate
saa spGh ose Of is Sp
or who think they suffer pecunlary loss
| through its enactment. Like all new laws, no
doubt with the light OF experience aaa II could
! instead OF seeking to have the law amended,
lent all their energies in the last LEGISLATURE to
have it repealed, with the sole view OF having
the old system OF spoils restored.
This body has instructed the City and County
Attorney to take immediate action to test the
legality of this law and the matter is now be-
fore the Supreme Court.
The Sheriff also mourns the loss occasioned
his Office by the action of the Legislature in
taking away the handling of cases in bank
| ruptcy, where the fees SO often absorbed all of
the assets OF the insolyent, leaving nothing for
the unfortunate creditors. Still we think this
officer will finish his term without personal
loss.
The County Jails in the care of the Sheriff
are in as good condition as could be expected.
found very clean and neat, and the commits
sary department appeared to be conducted in
businesslike manner.
Number 2, or the former House of Correc-
ton, needs more care as well as more paintand
whitewash to give it q neat appearance. The
grounds are well cared for and are credit to
those in charge.
Number 3, or what was the Industrial
School for Boys, is now used for women only.
Plumbing repairs are needed Immediately.
The roof of this building has been on fire
twice, and but for the assistance lent the of
ficers by the inmates it would probably have
been total loss. The roof should be covered
Win LII DIS u pTOb6CIlOu against IRE. Inc III
closed grounds are well arranged and presenta
very credltable appearance.
District Attorney.
We have made thorough examination of
the District Attorneys Office, and take pleasure
in stating that we have always found the Dis
trlct Attorney and his assistants diligently at
work, We commend them for the able manner
in which they perform their official duties, and
we find the business of the Office generally well
conducted. However, we believe that old sys-
TENS are too strictly adhered to, and that the
bookkeeping could be improved upon, in order
to obtain better classification of outstanding
cases and make researches easier. We have the
promise that such changes viii be made. We
find also that there are more than 800 cases
(mostly legacies from previous regimes) filed
prior to June 80, 1894, still pending.
Your committee believes this number to be
excessive. Upon examination it is convinced
that q great many of these cases could and
should be closed, and would recommend that
the District Attorney take immediate steps to
clear his books of all cases fled prior to June
so, 1894, that can be finally disposed of, to be-
gin proceedings to nave all such cases termln-
ated by regular process of law, and that all
| cases having no standing in court be legally
| and lawfully closed, and so indicated in the
| records of the office.
We also find thatin cases of "fugitives from
justice" by reason Of ''bail- jumping the Office
has no jurisdiction on the FORGETTING and collec-
ton OF the bail, a special counsel having been
appointed to enforce such forfeitures and col
lections. In many criminal cases the amount
of bail is very high, and it would be absolutely
trict Attorney the result of his work. and that
a record of such be kept in the office.
City and County Attorney.
We found this office in a good condition, and
that the records OF many suits were being thor
oughly investigated and the testimony of wit
nesses carefully segregated and compiled.
Superior Courts.
Complaint was made that disbarred attorneys
were making a speciality of divorce proceed
ings, and that they seemed to have monopoly
of the business of one court. We found that
Judge Trout heard 27l divorce cases during
last year, which was an average of about one
day. Many of them were cases in which the
defendant was not represented and were heard
in the privacy of the Judges chambers, the
only persons present being the judge the per-
son interested in obtaining the divorce, and
the attorney, so called, who was to profit fnan-
cially by the divorce being granted. The law
requires all cases to be heard in open court and
| in the presence of the clerk and bailif. Judge
Trout informed the jury that he no doubt had
been little too lenient, but that he would do
better hereafter.
We would suggest that the Probate Depart
ment follow the example of Judge Coffey and
require all guardians of estates to deposit all
moneys coming into their possession in re-
sponsible bank, only to be Withdrawn by order
OF court. Ii that had been the rule in Depart
ment 10 1t would have been impossible for ex-
District Attorney J. d. Page to have looted the
estate of his insane ward, Louis Lichtnecker.
The Auditor.
We believe the Auditor, William Broderick,
q capable and painstaking officer. To him is
due the credit of taking the City out of the
difficulty it had with the contractors recently
and if the Finance Committee of the Board OF
Supervisors would pay more attention to his
Recommendations in arranging for the tax
levy such difficulties could be easily avoided
in the future.
License Collector.
We have examined infinitely the affairs of
the License Collectors Office and find every
thing kept in an orderly and careful manner.
Our expert has examined the books of the
Office and reports favorably on them.
We recommend that the License Collector be
allowed suitable vault for the safe keeping
of license blanks and books under his care.
Tax Collector.
The Tax Collectors Office we find in the
hands of James n. Block. competent and eff
cient officer, who conducts the business of this
important department of the City government
in manner which reflects great credit on him
self and the clerical force in his charge.
The system of collecting taxes has been
greatly improved during his administration
and shows a careful study of the City's inter-
ests.
Registrar of Voters.
The Office of Registrar of Voters is now in an
honest mans care, and the Grand Jury hopes
the system to be inaugurated undsr the new
law, which comes into force this yekr, will real
ize the expectations of its friends