The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-19


morals" should have clean hands and clean
records, and while you have assumed such
duties and branched out az would-be
creators of Sunday laws, artificial crimes
and a paternal system of government,
many are wondering where you got the
idea you were elected for any such pur-
pose. Though quite familiar with all ques-
tons that came before the public during
the last campaign. memory can resurrect
none that had any reference to such
things. You were placed in office for no
such purpose, and outside the error you
entertain in so thinking what a travesty II
is on law and justice for a body of men
publicly accused of violating state Law
who refuse to deny the charge and
proclaim their innocence to he seen
enacting laws to regulate the acts and
conduct of their fellow men. The pass on
which you, gentlemen. have been charged
with riding has printed upon it in conspic-
uous letters these words: mot to be shown
any person. Why not to be shown? Be-
cause it is a badge of infamy and evidence
of unlawfulness; and that councilman
who would accept and use such a pass re-
veals at once that cents, that little insig-
nificant nickel, is more highly valued than
his honor and his regard for state laws.
Assuming, as l must. for none of you de-
ny the charge, that it is true, must say
that it makes my blood boil to think that
such men have the temporary power to
put in the chaingang, and imprison in
lousy and ill-ventilated Jail, their fellow
men, whose only crime is poverty that
compels them to sleep in hay stack,
freight car, or on somebody's private prop
erty in land. do not wonder that anarchy
is raising its head in these United States,
when we see such rottenness and corrup-
ton among our lawmakers and their total
disregard for laws which they expect others
to respect and obey. That corporations
expect a return for all favors given goes
without saying; and the fact, II it is one,
that your honorable CD body received a
pass from the Electric Railway company.
shows that you expected to meet the obli-
CATION under which it placed you. The
men who do the manual labor on our
streets never receive passes from railway
corporations; yet they, TOO, are the SER
wants of the people. Why do they receive
no passes? Because they have no power
TO give corporations favors. The giving of
franchises, or the power to compel street
railroads to keep the streets in proper re-
pair along their routes, is not in the hands
of these men; therefore, their needs
for free transportation, which are greater
from the salary view than a councilman's,
are never, never relieved by corporations.
Having seen so much complaint in the
daily papers regarding the bad condition of
our streets along certain lines of our car
tracks. am led to ask, though the charge
of impertinency may attend tine query IN
your opinion. If there is any esoteric con-
nection between your 5-cent passes and
the dilapidated condition of some parts OF
our streets. Do not all rise at once, gem
tlemen, in your haste to reply. for the an
swer OF one will be sufficient, and will
guarantee him a vote of thanks from the
general public when the information is
given.
Further reflection on the personnel of
your committee on 'public morals" leads
of in, hot fI,otr
peculiar fitness for such delicate duty
lies. Have vainly searched from top to
bottom the catalogue of the saints. but no.
where appear their names OF those of
their ancestors. The idea of hereditary
right and possession of needed qualities is
therefore not made apparent; and if they
have ever been acquired 1t will require the
aid of Roentgen's cathode rays TO reveal
that fact.
In the interest of science, and more par
ticularly the welfare of our morals, re-
specially ask that these three eminent
statesmen on paternal lines. submit to the
test. The danger that attends the efforts
of neophytes or ncapables to properly
regulate our morals. is too great to be dis
regarded. We must know beyond all
doubt that their abilities and qualifications
will never fall short of all requirements.
And now gentlemen, in conclusion, If
the charge made against You is untrue,
deny it with your aflidavits. II it is fact,
however, then please resign your offices
and show by so doing your willingness to
conform to a state law
THE BUILDING RECORD
Permits were issued yesterday for build
ings aggregating in value $S77O. the most
important being one to Blinn d Lubin for
$500 set of flats on First street near
Grand avenue, and to Mrs. Bette Creigh!
ton for $1,000 dwelling on Twenty-third
street near Adams.