Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1907-10-04
FRIDAY -. OCTOBER 4. 1870,
Moving Slowly.

The agitation of the grating that
has been, and still is, in progress In
connection with our county govern
ment, is not, as perhaps many may
be led to think from superficial
acquaintance, without result. The
leaven is working slowly, but surely.
1t requires time to break up customs
which have been tolerated for long
years. Those who are interested III
the continuance of illegal methods
will use their utmost endeavoIs to
maintain the statu quo. Neverthe
less, in spite of all adverse influences,
the system is crumbling in the glare
of the publicity that has been thrown
upon it through the columns of the
Ledger for several months past In
proof of this we call attention to the
following facts:
1st. The method of ordering blank
books for county officers has been
modified. 1t will be noticed, from
the minutes of the board of super
Visors that bills for blank books and
stationery from the wholesale houses
of the city have disappeared. The
custom which prevailed before the
Ledger's agitation was for each
county officer to order direct from
the city supply houses, and the firm
furnishing the supplies would then
send in the bill for the same direct
to the board. This was in the
absence of any contract with the
lowest bidder, or rate established by
the board, as the law expressly pro-
vides. The firms were left to charge
their own prices, and the door was
thrown open for abuses. 1t is a
pretty safe conclusion that where the
opportunity is given, and maintained
for a long series of years, abuse;
will almost invariably creep in. The
invitation in that direction is rarely
unaccepted.
In the bills presented and allowed
by the board last month, the Sar
Francisco blank book manufacturers
have no standing. The orders fol
these supplies we're given to loca
dealers. These local dealers get the
supplies from the city houses, anc
are allowed a commission usually
from 10 to 20 per cent from regular
rates. Thus, the county pays ne
more than under the former system
but the local business men reap The
benefit of the commission; whereas,
formerly, either the wholesale house.
pocketed the whole thing, or some
one got the commission who had no
the shadow of right to it.
Last month the items of blanl
books amounted to about 500, divid
ed between two local dealers, Vela !
Piccardo and the City Pharmacy
These two firms we're benefited tt
the extent of about $40. These items
amounted to three or four times as
much as all other stationery items
combined. While this plan of order
ing is infinitely preferable to that
heretofore IN vogue, it has no Legal
basis. The bills presented in this
way are still open to the charge OF
illegality. The law requires that
such supplies be contracted for
annually with the lowest bidder, and
the printing rates established annual
.ly. The Ledger does not propose to
stop in this work at the half way
station. We are pleased to announce
that vitality important point has
been gained, but the end is not yet.
Another notable Improvement is
noticed in the stationery bill. Last
month, after careful comparison
with the schedule, we detected but
one slight departure from the con-
tract rates. This was a charge of 81
for Smith-Premier ribbon, whereas
the contract price is zoe. This is an
important gain on the record Of the
past. 1t is conclusive that the ex-
posures of the Ledger are having 6
salutary effect. Notwithstanding the
apparent Indifference of the super
vlsors in regard to this vital subject.
1t is public opinion that is forcing
the issue, and slowly compelling
obedience to legal provisions and the
solemn obligations of contract.
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