Year: 1876

courty. There are numerous locations
which can be made vailable-among
which are the present Spring Street
property owned by the city and coun-
ty; the Coronel block near the plaza,
and the property still owned by the
city on Fort Hill. This last would
make one of the finest sites for pub
lie building to be found in the State
A suitable building on any convenient
location would add greatly to the ap-
pearance and dignity of the city, and
subserve great public want.


LIGHT -POLICE-FIRE DEPARTMENT.


That the streets should be lighted is
fact which all admit. We are far
behind the age in this respect and the
safety and comfort of the citizens
would be materially advanced by the
adoption of some measures by which
at least part of the streets would be
redeemed from their present darkness.


The Police force has proven itself
quite efficient, and the city is in a
state of peace and order which will
compare favorably with that of any
other city in the State. Crime is
promptly punished, and habitual Of
tenders are required to labor in the
Chain Gang, by which means the city
receives some compensation for the
expense of keeping them and salu-
tory lesson is taught.


The effective force of the Ere De-
partment has been more than doubled
during the year by the addition of a
Baocock Truck and new Steam Fire
Engine. With the sad example of
our sister city fresh in our minds it
behooves us to keep vigilant out =.
look, and be prepared for any emer-
gency. Our tiremen have, in the past,
shown themselves brave and well
drilled, and while we trust that their
courage may not be put to the test,
let US exhort them to attain the high
est state of discipline so that in the
hour of need they may know how to
confront every danger.


RAILROADS.


The railroad situation has made very
remarkable advancement in the last
twelve months. The Los Angeles and
Independence road has changed from
q much talked of scheme to an accom-
plished fact. Already q commodious
and ornamental depot building has
been erected on the chosen site and
the road completed to, and in actual
operation between it and the wharf at
Santa Monica, thus fulfilling the desire
for competing road to tide water.
By means of this, the important mat
ter of freight charges will regulate it.
self and we are relieved from any in
convenience that might possibly arise
from monopoly of the carrying
trade.


The Southern Pacific Railroad Com
pany has completed its new depot
and though not occupied according to
contract, it undoubtedly will be soon.
The track of this road has been push
ed eastward through the San GorgO-
nio pass, nearly far enough to COM
mand the trade Of Arizona. Mean
time work on the line between this
city and San Francisco has been pros
ecuted with gratifying energy and we
are promised rail communication with
the metropolis of the western coast at
an early day. Altogether our rail.
road progress has been phenomenal
and tile near future seems pregnant
with still greater activity and more
important results.


THE CITY CHARTER FAULTY.


The Amended City Charter has been
in operation long enough to be thor
oughly tested has shown that it con.
tains some faults which should be
remided. For instance the opening OF
improving of streets is attended with
too much complication. The greater
part of the advertising can be done
away with to advantage. Certain
provisions in regard to keeping streets
and sewers in repair should be made
Also, in regard to the Mayors Court
the article by which this Court is es.
tablished and governed should be re-
modelled. would suggest that this
tribunal be conducted by an officer es-
pecially elected for the purpose. Dur
ing the year more than eight hundred
cases have been before this court fol
trial, and these too, are only the Grim
inal offense brought to the notice OF
the police. The time of the Mayor is
thus occupied to the exclusion of other
business, for not only do these cases
require the time necessary to actually
. | near IneID, DuC III OTueT 10 Ue pTcpdTeu
to do justice he must take time to be-
come conversant to some extent with
the law and the numerous ordinances
of the city. Whereas, if an officer
were especially elected to this position
and given the same powers as JUS
tice Of the Peace, he would be prepar-
ed to try civil actions, and think the
office could be made self sustaining.
In this connection / desire to state
that the ordinances in regard to crimes
and their punishment need revising,
and some provision should be made
whereby the City Attorney should at
tend this Court and prosecute often
ders in behalf of the city.


NUMBERING HoUSES-THE PLAZAs.
The numbering of the houses and
Knaming the streets is matter which
should not be delayed. 1t would be a
great convenience to our own citizens
as well as strangers and 1 would sug.
gest that immediate steps be taken to
carry out these much needed improve
ments.


The public plazas have been i'm
proved very much and we will shortly
/. have neat and tasteftllly arranged