The herald., 1896-01-16
THE PARTIAL REPORT

the Year 1905
Hon. B. N. Smith, Judge of the Superior
Court, Department No. L, Los Angeles
County:-The grand jury, acting under
your instructions, has made due investiga-
ton of the matters pertaining to the county
business, and Deg leave to present the fol-
lowing partial report:
We recognize that political influence is
too often the cause of appointment to pub.
lie Office, and would suggest that real capa-
bility and merit be made the essential test
OF appointment and retention in the en-
ploy of the county.
As a result of our labors we would recon-
mend closer surveillance of their subor-
dinates by the heads of departments. Such
surveillance might remove temptation to
commit crime from those who practically
have the care of the county business.
The result OF our examinations in por-
ton of the county offices is herewith pre-
sented in detail, and of the remaining of
fees will be presented in a later report:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The>position of supervisor of this county
10 one of great trust and responsibility, the
powers of the board of supervisors are
great, and the expense of the county ma
chinery enormous.
The salaries and many other claims are
paid direct by the treasurer on the warrant
drawn by the auditor, and do not enter into
this report. Yet there we're Ii, 412 claims
and demands passed upon and allowed by
the board from June l, 1894, to June 80,
1895, amounting to $515, 947.03. Quite
auditing these bills, but mostly of only
small amounts. The only Irregularities
we discovered were in the meat bills for
county institutions, where in certain cases
meats we're from 6 to 10 cents per pound,
although the contract price was only s
n q f<Nsr rrv5r vr<l<x
OF SIS. when the contract price was only SO.
The board allows county officers addi-
tional clerical assistance from time to
time at stated salaries, yet in no case is
the time of work specified. We are reli-
ably informed that the clerks as a rule
work only from 8 to IL a. IN. and l to 5
p. M, or seven hours day. If this large
number of clerks and deputies worked
eight hours per day quite saving could be
made to the taxpayers. We earnestly rec
ommend the adoption of the eight-hour
system. and ask the board to use its best
efforts to see it enforced.
Numerous complaints were made about
the management of the county roads, and
insinuations that the moneys appropriated
for their improvement were being squan-
dered, yet no evidence of any crinnality
was presented TO us. We cannot offer any
better remedy for this evil, if it exists, than
the passing Of state law authorizing
smaller subdivisions of this county to form
road districts to manage their own local
affairs. Werecommend the passage of a
township government act for this county,
which would at the same time enable the
board of supervisors to attend more closely
to the many other necessary details in the
supervision of the county's interests and
institutions.
AUDITORS OFFICE
We submit the result of our examination
of the books, vouchers and accounts of the
county auditor, which covers the period
from June 1, 1894, to June 80, 1895, in
elusive. The auditors books show COM
plete and full record of the county's BUSH
ness. Our investigation of the Office has
been very full and exhaustive, embracing
the checking of all accounts and books
throughout the various courses, resulting
Is follows:
All receipts of money and all disburse-
meEts may be performed only upon the
authority of the auditor, and the office of
auditor and treasurer are complete check
upon each other in all matters pertaining
TO the revenue of the county.
Only in hisesettlement with the state is
the treasurer Independent of the auditor
This he does through the state comptroller
direct.
The sources of authority upon which the
auditor is empowered to issue warrants
upon the treasurer are as follows:
First-For the salaries of officers.
acknowledgements audited by the board
ct supervisors.
Third-Upon the requisition of the county
superintendent of schools.
Fourth-Upon the order of Judge of the
superior court or magistrate for reporter
services.
Fifth-In payment of county or school
bonds. or interest thereon.
Sixth-In payment of orders drawn by
the law library officials.
Our examination covers all these depart
ments.
The total amount of disbursements by
the board of supervisors was as follows
For June, 1894, $40 ,342.S6, and for the
year commencing June l, 1894, and end
ing June 80, 1895, the amount was $685.
671.38.
On July /, 1894, the auditors books
showed there was on hand a balance of
0,666.41. and receipts up to June 80,
1895, aggregated $1,55O,S63.S6; dis
bursements during the same time amounted
to 81 .529 ,O02.96, leaving a balance on
hand July 1, 1895, of $5Ol, 527.3l.
On June 80. 1896, there were outstand-
ing warrants from the different funds
amounting to $5461. OF; this sum added to
the auditors balance of the same date of
1901 ,527.3l, gives the sum of $780,
066.36, which agrees exactly with the
treasurer's balance of that date.
The following will show some of the dis
tnrsements of the county fund:
- ~ h cost over s7l 900 to collect