The herald., 1898-11-23
Strong Points

To the Laboring Men Of the City OF
Angeles: Our attention has been 30
quently called to points of misrepres'
ton and to unfair arguments made ag'
the new city charter by its enemies, wh'
it is claimed that the charter unjustly (
looks or discriininates against the labe
man, that we have deemed it but right
proper, as a vindication of that instrui
and of our purposes and aims In framir
to call your attention to number of pr
which are purposely lost sight of by the
mics of the charter when seeking to incl
their numbers by misstatements.
First-It is asserted that the chart
defective and opposed to the laboring
because it does not in express terms
vide that the minimum amount Of
payable to common laborers shall not
than 50 per day.
The reply to this is simple and coht
ia) 1t is not matter with VIII
present charter pretends to deal; a,
(b) The point is already cove,
provided for in general law of
found in statutes of 1897 at page &c
in it is declared that the minimum
sation to be paid for labor performs
public work under the direction, C
by the authority of any officer in Il
or by the authority of any mum,
poration within this state, or offit
Of, is fixed at 50 per day. Being alr
vided for by general law, there W
cessity that this matter should be
ated in the new charter.
Second-It has been stated and
that the public work of the city
with the repair of streets and the
ing and cleaning and the repair anf
OF sewers is by the new charter pl
be done by contract only.
This is erroneous. The whole
confided to the discretion of th,
Sections s and 8 declare that II
powers of the city include the col
these matters. Section SO declar,
the powers of the council must be
by ordinance. Sections SO and g.
council full power to pass all
necessary to carry into effect
powers, whether such powers are
ed in the article in relation to
of the council or not. These Sc
the council full, ample and pier
over the matter of the streets {
and all of the other public work
not expressly conferred upon
boards or departments of the ci
ment.
Sections 81 and SO provide that t..
intendent of streets shall see that
ordinances and regulations rela,<s
streets and highways are carried int
cution, and that he shall superinten.
control the sweeping and the cleaning
streets and the cleaning Of the sewer
shall inspect all public work pertain
street matters and ''inspect and 6
or reject all material used in such C
tion, whether done by contract &
wise;" and he shall perform such
ties as may be imposed by ordina1
general laws of the state. Thes,
sections give the city council full
to carry on and conduct all this
suant to their ordinances, or they
it on and conduct it under cor
pursuant TO the article on con.
tanned in section Ill and followip
This discretionary power is pr
vested in the legislative departme,
city because there is always some wo,,
should be done only by contract, and /
is at the same time considerable work
may with propriety and economy be
by days labor. Believing it for the
interest of the public at large to leave
particular cases to the business judg
and discretion of the council, the CHI
freeholders have confded the entire mi
to them.
Section liz of the charter does prt
that all contracts for goods, merchan
stores, supplies, materials, subsistene
printing for the city must be purchase
contract let to the lowest bidder. II
the only section that imposes any limit
the council as to the subjects upon v
they must make contracts, but it does n
anywise relate to the matter Of the p
work.
Third-The charter, for the express
pose Of protecting the laborers empl
by contracts, contains in section II this
ticular clause, to-wit:
"Every contract for work to be perfol
for the city must provide that in the
formance of the contract eight hours
be the maximum hours Of labor on any
endar day. Any contract for work
performed by the city which does not
ply with the provisions of this section
be null and void, and any officer who
sign the same shall be deemed guilt
misfeasance, and upon proof Of such
feasance shall be removed from office"
The whole purpose and effect of thi
mentioned clause is to protect as far a
charter can do so, the laboring man ag
the exacting demands of the contractor
he shall work unreasonably long hours.
Fourth-The civil service feature ol
charter should commend itself especial
the labor element of the city. Any mt
woman in this city, without regard to p
cal pull or influence, who has the prope
pacity, can confidently hope to CON
with everybody else in the effort to &c
the appointments to positions on the p
the matter now stands, it is well known
the appointment to positions on the p
work and in the various offices are IL
suit mainly of political and social infu
Civil service rules will wipe that all
and the applicant for office, whether
candidate for election or candidat
appointment, will have to stand upol
own merits; and the laboring man an
children and friends have an equal ch
for preferment.
Fifth-If there be one point more tha
other in which the labor element of
city is interested, it is the improveme
the public school system. Outside of Q
people whom no one could please and
would criticise any charter that coul
devised, there is scarcely dissenting '
=. xl.n o;kxy m ;cod ooaipef %ho voxu obs