The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-12
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

our agricultural associations and related CON-
missions-which include horticulture, vtlcul-
iure, forestry etc.-and in pursuance thereof
made large gifts TO The States for the purpose
OF endOwfng universities. Notwithstanding the
establishment, in accordance with this pur-
pose, of the University of California, We have
spent since 1880 on horticulture in appropria-
tioDs and printing over 5000, 900. and In viii
culture, In appropriations and printing,
S22l,311 so. or a total for the TWO OF about
S425,000. And yet am informed that these
organizations and departments do not own one
experimental station, an orchard, vineyard or
nursery. 1 learn also that they have expen-
sively furnished Offices and many valuable
books and instruments. II is known that soma
of the officials connected with these commits.
sfons are able men in the departments Of
knowledge indicated, and could, under differ
ent circumstances, render valuable service to
the State. The work could be done far better
and at much less cost by the appropriate de-
partments of the University OF California or the
Stanford University II they would undertake IL.
These observations apply with equal perth
nence and force to the Mining Bureau and the
scientific functions assumed 10 be discharged
by the agriculture societies. The agriculture
societies as now managed are of but lltle or no
benefit TO the people. There is but slight COIN
petition between classes or sections and but
small rivalry in anything except horseraclng.
Three annual fairs-one south of Tehachapi.
one between that point and Sacramento and
one north of SacrSmento-w0uld serve better
10 stimulate wholesome spirit of emulation
and rivalry than the PR sent plan of a fair in
nearly every county, encouraged by Stale aid.
The place OF meeting could be changed yearly,
and an annual appropriation OF $4,000 for each
would be amply sufficient In addition TO the
means provided by the local directors. Three
district societies and one State society would be
far better than the existing system.
The Mining Bureau costs the taxpayers up
ward of $4,000 biennially and our district
fairs upward OF 100000, not including print
ing. The saving that would be accomplished
by placing the commissions referred TO under
the management OF one or both OF the universi.
ties would be from S225.00O TO $500. 900 bien-
nialy, not 10 speaE OF what might be spared 10
the people in the matter of printing the reports.
The evil consequence OF permitting the State
treasury to become grab bag into which ca
paciOus hands may be thrust with impunity for
the benefit OF certain sections or interests, Is
forcibly illustrated In the operation OF the law
by which counties obtain bonus on the main.
tenance OF each aged person in INDECENT cTcum-
stances supported at public expense. 1t is fit
companion OF the statute awarding a bounty
on coyote scalps. The result in each case
has been numerical increase in the objects
OF the States concern. The estimate OF the
Controller of the amount necessary to meet the
demands OF the different counties arising from
the care Of the aged poor for the ensuing TWO
years Is the enormous sum Of 100000.
whereas for the year ended June 80, 1884, 1t
was but Sl03, 1856 81. The increase has been
steady and persistent, and II 1t should continue
in the same proportion, ten years hence the
amount required for this purpose alone would
run into millions.
1 therefore recommend the repeal of chapter
NJ 81
to appropriate money for the support of aged
persons in INDECENT circumstances"
also recommend the repeal of chapter 198
Of the statutes OF 1891. entitled 'An act fixing
bounty on coyote scaps.'
The attorney for the State Board OF Health
and the San Francisco Board OF Health useless
Offices that should be abolIshed) receives as
much as the Secretary Of State, State Treas
urer or Attorney General Many officials with
less duties 10 perform, who are not compelled
TO change their residence or foreg0 other bnsi-
ness. receive more than these last-named State
officers; and others still, as well as certain en-
pl0yes, are furnished with their living, in addi.
iion to their pay, which latter is much in ex-
cess of that received by citizens who perform
similar service for private parties
Our constitution declares, In article XI.
section 8. that the Legislature. by general aud
uniform laws, may provide for the election
the State, of various officers, and that it
shall regulate their compensation In pro-
portion TO their duties, and for this purpose
may classify counties by population. The
plain meaning is for general classification OF
such counties as have an approximately equal
population: yet we find the most d1ssmlar ana
cassifcatiOns and the most un-
equal and unjust burdens imposed on the tax.
payer. the plain constitutional provisions being
ignored. There are fifty-three
classes under this law, out of total OF fifty.six
or nearly one class to each county.
The difference In population forming the alleged
basis of the classification is often ridiculously
slight, although the compensation of officers
varies greatly. thus in counties of the thirty.
second and thirty-Ihrd classes the difference in
according to the latest enumera.
tiOn. is but ihiriy-One, while the difference in
population between classes thIrty-frst and
is but sixteen. Nevertheless
these classes differ widely In the sala-
ries and other compensation allowed
their officials. Again. many counties have
different fee bills, and while the Clerks
fees lu one county might not exceed in
probate or contested case the sum of So,
ln other countries they may run Inio the hun.
dreds. These unfounded and unnecessary diff
ferences impose unequal burdens upon the
people. The truth is that our existing scheme
of county government is a species of the most