Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-02-06

W
,he 18th OF January. the Committee on Orli.
nsnces we've Injected TO rpor, on Abe expcdi-
ency OF excluding members OF the Council
from Offices OF profit.
In compliance with this resolution your
committee respectfully submit the following
report. :
The question herr presented lea very differ.
cnt one from VIVA, il woull b. if IN. ,o,,.,
OF appointment were ia the hands of some
S"PaFaie Officers of the city. Vested hoyve,e,
~ The council ilself. there Is no question pre-.
sen'ed IN the prcscnt cIse, aboo, the dangerso Of
influences. Thcre is no necessity
'or guarding agains, an improper control over
our DELIBERATIONS being excrted by a public
otiiccrby means of public patronage.
II the principle contemplated by the rcsplu.
hon had been heretofore adopted, it's practical
operation would have been confined to IN
offices OF Treasurer, Assessor aud street Com.
missioner.
his believed that the member rs who nave
heretofore held those Offices have discharged
their duties faithfully. aud that il never has
as yet operated to the injury OF the public
service That the incunbcnts have occasionally
been members OF this BODY.
On The contrary. occasions very frequently
occur IN which i, is necessary for the couacil
to ask Tor information and explanations from
the Treasurer or street commissioned i'm rela-
ton to maiterson which this body is itself 10
act: aud great advantage TO the public service
II ~ believed, results from the att.nlancc
at those oficers a, our meetings. pad, AZ
all times when desired. To afford VA the in.
formation we require.
Another benefit ofconsilcrablc import,ncc
also results from thriratieulance here. Tbs,
II ans u glect or want OF diiigcncc in the dis
charg' OF their dutics has occurred or is ammo.
hended' M any part ot the city. It is very
likely to bc pressed on their attention by
SOM membe or other of this body. in such
shapa a. TO ensure prompt exertions on their
part. TO mmedy the cause of complaint.
Thci. attendance here, il is true. may he
required, although they should not be- mem
bcrs. Your committee do not wish 10 be un.
dcrs'oot as c%ontending that members of the
council have any peculiar claim To be consid.
cred in The distribution OF Offices. We beg
leave distinctly 10 rpudiate amy such princi.
plea isir competition oDd an equal chance to
all, ~ the footing OH which we think the mat.
ter ought to be placed. We maintain merely
hat The public Interest has not been prejudi
FED BY the principle heretofore acted upon,
that there II 40 necessity for our adopting
IN iDfeNible rule which, admitting at no e,-
ia any contingency, might deprive the
ity oi the services OF an individual. although
he public in,ercs, would be best promoted
" his appointment. a
II amy person, whether a member or not. '
be appointed by the council to either
Of the Offices named, OF to- amy other, your
committee presume il will be because the
ronncl believe him to b. honest, dilligent,
Pos~e~@ei ~ "e "ce~S~.ry information
and capacity 10 FIT him for the proper discharge
VI It's duties. Should The council find these
qualifications in sny member OF This body.
your committee arc az a loss 10 perceive why
should be regarded as an insupcrable objec-
that his " noighbors-ihe citizens oil
ns own ward have themselves shewn their
IN his intelligence and fidelity hy
him d member OF the council.
Appointments OF members of the council al
have been aud Your committee think
to be, bat s%paringly made; but we can
recommend the adoption OF any positive
md infexible rule ~protSbitine it. The char.
OF the city has left The council TO the Tree
exercise of IT, ~ discretion in making the
selection, and 1t may very reasonably b. doub-
led, whether we have authority to provide
any test for eligibility 10 office, which is not
prescribed by that instrument.