The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-27
Seven of the Court House COM
binati0n Convened
STRICTLY SECRET MEETING
But Some One Has Leaked and Given
Away the Plans
How the General Public Is to Be Blinded by q
Stagger at Economical Reform in
Local Government

maintains grip upon the treasury of this
county is in the dumps. The members of
this ring are beginning to realize that
shortly after the first of the year some
thing must "be did" SO to speak. The
fight THE II RAID has been making against
the policy of reckless and wanton extrava-
gance which characterizes the manage
ment of county affairs has had its effect in
more directions than one.
1t has opened the eyes of the people to
the fact that they were being literally
robbed blind by various schemes and de-
vices which were being and had been used
to get money out of the public treasury.
This policy of robbery is still in force.
Hundreds of deputies have been forced
upon the county in various capacities
merely as reward for political services
rendered to the bosses. The people are
now more generally on to this fact than
they have ever been before in the history
of the county, and they have gained their
knowledge through the exposures which
have been made by The HERALD.
Among those who are we'll aware of the
effect of THE HERALD's policy in favor of
honest and economical government for This
tax ridden county and city are the men,
bers of the court house combination them
selves. They realize that their we'll laid
plans to monopolize and hog everything in
the county, to deplete the public treasury
and to rule both city and county with the
power of autocrats, is in jeopardy. Once
the eyes of the people are thoroughly op-
ened to what is being and has been done in
this county, then the power of the ring is
forever gone.
1t was to prevent, and nullify as far as
possible, any further exposures along the
lines of those made by THE HERALD that
a meeting was held short time ago in the
South Broadway office OF one of the powers
of Republican polite, in Southern Califor-
mia, in fact of the state.
The meeting aforesaid, it is understood,
was held in the office of a quondam con-
gressional aspirant' There were present
only seven gentlemen, but Theses men are
politicians in the strictest sense of the
term. The situation a. it exists today az
regards the combination in this county was
generally discussed, and the conclusion
was arrived at that something would have
to be done to side track the issue of eco
monica local government. How to do this
was what perplexed the minds of the ma
pipulators.
By one brilliant mind it was suggested
that If war was declared the popular mind
would be so engrossed with that idea that
talk about local governmental reforms
would fade away. But it was decided that
a war was not by any means sure thing.
Another gentleman suggested that it
would be a good idea for all to come out
strong for more economy in the manage
ment of state institutions. The idea of
this was that fight could be made for
economy in state affairs, and as little could
be done until the next session of the legis-
lature even'if good faith was intended the
wind play would blind the eyes of the peo-
pie to a condition of affairs right here at
homo that could and should be immed;-
ately remedied.
tbor rtx fho,, bo n
thing to, have each county official COM
mence on the first of the year by cutting
off every unnecessary deputy. He insisted
that il this was done with the beginning of
the new year the forces could be gradually
increased again and the great body OF the
people would know nothing about it.
But several parties at once put in veto
on this. They held to the idea that the
time was rapidly arriving when the SER
vices of every worker would be again need
ed, both at the primaries and at the polls,
to sustain the combination. Tue year
1896 will be great one for conventions.
There will be a lot of them, and of course
the combination wants to handle the dele
CATION from Los Angeles county in all of
them, using the delegates like so many
chattels to trade with as they see fit.
1t was pointed out that it might be disas-
trous to give ''the boys" the marble heart
just at this jupcture. 1.-THE boys' would
the primaries, and under the new primary
law it will be difficult thing to handle
them just like they used to be run.
The whole subject was discussed in all of
its phases and it was decided that the wise
thing to be done was to make bluff at
economy and cut off of the county payrolls
all deputies that we're not needed after
January LIST. one month at least, and pos
sbly two. Then after March 1st the sys.
tenn will be to re employ them.
About that time The assessor can place
hundred men and they can be put in office
then be in view. This will be starter.
Deputies can be taken on in the other
offies as the occasion demands and as men
are required to handle wards and precincts.
One of the keen manipulators 'alked
about perfecting "a little plan to bring in as
many of the public contractors as possible
10 help sustain ship that had several
leaks in it.
1t was suggested that list Of contractors
be drawn up and that each one of them b.
notified that he would be expected to vo q
his men at the primaries and to hold them
in shape SO that they could be called upon
whenever needed.
OF course this last will be prepared with
due care and only those contractors will
be given the notification who can without
doubt be relied upon. The combination is
amply strong enough at present to repay
them with tavorS Ill Doth tile city and the
county government.
The meeting, it is said, lasted until close
on to midnight. The idea to sidetrack, in a
measure, talk about local reforms by
counter agitation about economy in the
state government was agreed upon by all.
1t was decided also that some court house
deputies should have their heads cut off
but not too many. because then great
howl would go up.
The iunta that dictates the eXDerIiture
of $2,OOO,OO0 annually of the county
money and 81 100000 of city money, all
paid by the taxpayers. then adjourned.
"And the next day being Sunday, two of
the seven men who had participated in this
conference rose up in the temple and pre-
claimed their righteousness to all the
void"
The Orange Belt Line
OF the Southern Pacific company is the
best li1e to see all of Southern California
by. A sample trip: Leave Los Angeles