The herald., 1896-12-18

Y. II tsff 4 xLtE III a = &i.hi-r 1T
That organization will prepare and pre-
sent to the legislature a bill embodying
the pointed though hackneyed question:
"Shall the traffic in intoxicating liquors
as beverage be prohibited?'
The bill will demand local option in a
somewhat novel style. Perhaps might
say local option whitfield down to a
point. The advocates of the measure
want state law that will allow ajor-
ity of the legal voters-not only in each
county and municipality-but in each
voting precinct and ward, to decide
whether or not there may be liquor sold
for booze purposes within the territory
designated. 1t is claimed that such q
law, if enacted, will bring every citizen
face to face with the startling question:
do you want a saloon near your home,
or church, or school?"
TAX REFORM LEGISLATORS
Since my last letter to The Herald was
written 1 have learned that Hon. H. C.
Dibble. Republican assemblyman- elect
of this city, and Hon. F. s. Stratton
senator-elect from Alameda county, also
g. Republican, have expressed themselves
strongly and unequivocally in favor of
the submission of a constitutional
amendment that will empower the legis-
lature to deal with the subject of taxa
tion as the people through their repre-
sentatives may desire. The plan men,
toned In my previous communication
Tor petitioning and importuning the new
legislature on this subject, seems to be
growing more popular the more it is agi-
tated. Petitions are still pouring in,
and scarcely day passes without some
additions to the ranks of those who are
determined to bring about a reform in
the existing tax laws and methods of
this state. 1t looks as though the leg
islature would be thoroughly piled with
written and oral arguments bearing upon
the question. That the constitution
should so tie the hands of our legisla-
tors that they are practically prohibited
from making any changes on the line of
tax reform which the people might de-
sire is not at all complimentary to the
lawmakers of the state state con-
stitution may be too flexible and too
easily changed. Then again it may be
iron-clad and arbitrary to a degree that
retards the progress of the common
wealth. 1t is claimed by intelligent men,
irrespective of party, that the present
constitution of California as regards tax
alton is far behind the spirit of the age
and that, therefore, the people should
be given an opportunity to vote upon an
amendment such as will be introduced
at the coming session.
Los ANGELENOS HERE
A good many former residents of Los
Angeles are now living in this city and
Oakland. Among them 1 find Col. D.
Gilbert Dexter, who for years was a
prominent business man and member
of the police board of the Angel City,
and who is now prominent in insurance
circles here and president of the Life
Underwriters association of the Pacific
coast; Rev. a. J. Wells. now pastor of
the Second Unitarian church; Hon. VIM.
f. Fitzgerald attorney general; Trow-
bridge II. Ward clerk of the supreme
court; Rev. George w. Henning. who is
about to establish a new church here;
James Mccarthy. NJ. w. Connor, ]. X.
MofIit, o. K. Gushing, ]. f. Bennett and
Charles II. Dunsmore. They all appear
to be healthy and prosperous.
RALPH HOYT.