The herald., 1897-04-21

members Of the medical fraternity o
the city as have rendered gratuitou'
attention to the sufferers In the count,
hospital, which attention evidences tha'
| sympathy and consideration for theii
feIlow-creatures which has always beer
q prominent feature of this profession
HORTICULTURAL COMMISSION
We regard this commission as of ines
| timable benefit We cannot, however
find any warrant in law for the charge
made by the commissioner for the
transportation from his residence to the
court house, and therefore recommend
that the district attorney institute pro-
ceedfngs against John Scott, commits
sioner. to recover the sum of $205 paid to
said commissioner for such transporta-
tion.
CITY OFFICIALS
Ex-City Clerk Luckenbach and his de-
puties are complimented on the excep-
tionally neat manner in which the books
and accounts of that Office have been
kept. The city offices of attorney, as
SCISSOR. city library, health office, street
commissioner are in good condition, and
factory.
SCORES THE ENGINEER
Regarding the office of city engineer
the report says: I'VE find this office
very carelessly conducted and in several
instances almost criminal neglect seems
to have been shown, by which neglect
there has been entailed on the city a
loss of several thousands of dollars, not
ably in the erection of the city Jail
Touching on the city water overseer,
the report says that the condition of ac-
counts In this office renders ii practical
ly impossible for any report to be made.
Missing Fred Teale and the council
committee are scored on the matter of
the city auditors office. This import
ant office" says the report, during the
term of Mr.. Teale, was in a most dis
reputable condition and exhibits a con-
dition of neglect which we think mex
cusable both on the part of the auditor
himself and the committee of the coun-
ell. whose duty 1t was to scrutinize his
conduct"
OTHER OFFICES
The Office Of tax and license collector
seems to be In satisfactory condition,
deplorable.
The report compliments the manner Of
keeping the books of the superintendent
of streets.
On the management Of the city schools
the Jury expresses satisfaction. A series
of blunders occurred in the erection of
the new Macy street school building. by
which part of the building stands on
public alley. Either the city engineer or
the superintendent of buildings or BOTH
have failed in their duty. The site of the
Olive street school was purchased at an
price and is inadequate. the
health of the pupils being menaced by
the wet and muddy floor of the cellar.
Great damage has been done to the
Union avenue school by the proximity
of the oil industry. rendering what was
formerly the most beautiful and valua-
BILE of the city school locations totally
unsuitable for a school site. The unani-
nous verdict Of all those questioned was
that the close proximity of the oil wells
is a nuisance and ought to be abated.
The report recommends that the board
of education cause the school property
to be surrounded by fence, as the jury
regards the present condition perilous to
the pupils.
UNSANITARY SCHOOLHOUSES
The report calls attention to the un-
condition of the Rosedala
school. The report states that the gen.
eral condition of the school from an edu-
standpoint is regarded as very
satisfactory and reflects great credit
Lox ;e Hro oh, tn H. oy1d
The high school building has become
inadequate to the needs of the city, and
the jury believes that an additional
building is Immediately demanded.
Qualification is expressed over the con-
dition of affairs at the state normal
school
CITY JAIL
The report next deals with the city
Jail, and touching on the matter of the
interior says: We were then conducted
to the tanks, where is kept wha has
been called the "chain gang" but which
cannot be properly called such any long
er. Chief Glass has done away with the
ball and chain, and instead thereof,
when he has a refractory prisoner. uses
an "Oregon boot" The condition of the
The city justices court
rooms are criticised to the extent that
there are meager accommodations for
female witnesses who may be in walt
ing. a condition which should be cor
rected.
An improvements strongly urged is that
the city own the ground west of the po-
lice station as far as Hill street, and
south of the station facing on Hill street
for at least 60 or 100 feet. and running
east to the east line of the jail property.
This could be utilized for a stable with
a capacity for thirty-eix horses and the
remainder of the ground could be used
for work yard for the city's prisoners
The report recommends that the land
desired be condemned and purchased by
the city.
SANTA MONICA CRITICISED
The following is given in regard to the
of Santa Monica: Early in our
sitting we were called upon to inquire
into the conduct of the campaign leading
up to and including the municipal cleo
ton, held at Santa Monica in April, 1896
While we are not prepared to cay that
the letter of the election laws was vio-
lated, the jury is convinced that the
spirit of the same was badly fractured
in the interest of two. at least, Of the
candidates at said election.
THE police department OF said town
seems badly demoralized, owing to the
of officers more in payment OF
election services than because of fitness
or qualifications ~