The herald., 1897-03-09

h work for at least seven or eight men.
and said that the board would cheerfully
Cooperate with the council ON the line
OF securing additional help, but he could
not allow this matter to pass without
entering his protest. He would not say
that he would resign, or anything Of that
sort, but he would say that II the ordi-
nance passed II would render the board
practically useless and he did not see
much use in remaining as member or
such board.
Councilman Hutchison asked DR..
Moore II the present board had appoint
ed the present employees, and whether
much time had been spent in investi-
eating their character and peculiar fit
ness for the places they filled? DR.. Moore
Gaid that he was in Mexico when the ap-
pointments were made. but he had every
reason to believe that this had been
done.
Hon. C. c. Wright, as the legal repre-
sentative of the board of health, then
addressed the council on the legal pro-
positions involved. Mr.. Wright took the
ground that, under the charter, the
council had no right to take the proposed
action. The charter specifically stated
the manner in which these appoint
ments should be made. and quoted su-
preme court opinions to show that the
proposed action was unauthorized. The
ly defined. and 1t was a well settled prln-
cip.e of law that all general legislation
should be construed collectively and
with reference to the specific act in
volved
l. B. Dockweiler followed Mr.. Wright,
fully concurring with that gentleman
in the legal propositions advanced. He
asked the council to rise above mere
place-getting and consider the PROPOSE
zion on Its merits. There were undoubt-
edly number of nice young men who
wanted places, and he would like to see
them get them, but he felt that he should
enter his protest against their action In
this matter
THE hOARD'S RESOLUTIONS.
There being r D further remarks, the
resolutions adopted some days ago were
then read as follows:
Whereas. The council today passed
an ordinance providing that employees
In the health office shall be appointed
by that body; and
Whereas. 1t is imposs ible for the
board of health to maintain the cffici-
ency of its department demanded by the
citizens of Los Angeles. when the board
is not placed in position to appoint the
men 1t thinks best fitted for the positions
and to remove them at its will when they
fail to attend strictly to their duties;
and
Whereas. A certain independence and
INSTRUMENTATION will be sure to exhibit
itself among deputies when they are
not held directly responsible by the body
under wNom they serve, this being un-
questionably dangerous thing in a de-
partment on which depends the health
OF a city so large as ours; and
Whereas. The board of police COM
missioners. the board of fire commits
sioners and the board OF park commits
lecting the men 1t thinks will best serve
in maintaining the efficiency of the de-
partment of the city government with
which IT has been intrusted; and
Whereas, This board has the very best
interests Of the city at heart. and is
doing all in its power to maintain the
highest standard of health and sanitary
regulation possible and in working to
this end feels that 1t has a right to Sc
bers of the health board, came inside the
rail and addressed the council. DR..
Moore called attention to the fact that
the members OF the board were all busy
practitioners, who gave up much valu-
able time without compensation for the
benefit of the city. and protested against
this proposed action of the council, which
would cripple the board and materially
reduce its efficiency. To secure proper
discipline 1t was absolutely necessary
that the members of the board should
have the control of its employees. so that
in'case there was any dereliction of duty,
the offending party could be dismissed.
DR.. Moore said that, as matter of fact
more inspectors are needed, that there