Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-02-09
MAYORS MESSAGE.
MAYoa'sOUICE.
WH1a1na, VIVA, Feb. :, 1885. :

To the Msn5srs Of the FIrst Branch GnS tie
PrEsiGeEt and Members Of TIE SGcoad
Branch Of EEs Council:
GEzTLEMES: Ou page 81 Of the printed
Ordinances, will be found, section i'm
posing a duty upon the Msyor, in the fol-
lowing words:
"SEc. Is. 1t shall be the duty of the May
or to submit to the Council, at its drst
meeting on or after the fifteenth day of
February, annually hereafter, q coumuui-
cation IN relation TO the interests of the
city generally with such Recommendations
concerning the management Of its affairs
for the current year, as to him may seem
necessary or proper
am not aware that any message IN con
formisy to this law, has been couuunica-
ted to the Council since 1859. Ordinarily,
1t may not be necessary, but the Circum-
stances in which We are placed, and the
proprieiyr at this time, of some zugastious
IN regard to matters of municipal interest,
embolden me to obey,ie.
You, gentlemen, are to legi5Iste for this
corporation, and it should oe your aim,
as It Is your duty, to establish such rezula-
tIons, and adopt such measures, a5 viii
best promote the interests OF the City and
OF the people, your constituents, so far as
you can determine them, not only in regard
TO municipal affairs, which, of course, are
your most important trusts, but also, per
nit me to suggest, to give expression to
public feeling IN respect TO other matters,
TO which the unfortunate condition Of cur
country gives prominence.
In times past, the highest houors and
marks of respect paid by citizens, were
those tendered through constituted author
tiles, and while others have adhered to this
plau, this city has not All the courtesies
extended our soldiers, have been by pri-
vste enterprise-the expenses have been
borne by 8 feW-and the demonstrations
have been too much the expression of party.
Among the soldiers of the army Of the
United States, are our relatives, our friends
and our fellow citizens; they are engaged
IN hazardous work il our behalf, and
their labors, in their undertaking TO restore
the Uniou, VIndicste the Constitution, en-
force the laws, and re- establish the civil
authority wherever It has been trampled
upon, merit and mast receive the gratitude,
the applause, and the hearty approval Of
every lover of his country. Io6ject to any
set of men acting as psrJisans-srrogstinZ
TO themselves the sole possession OF these
feelings. l rank myself second to 40 man
in love of liberty the Union, the laws aud
the integrity of republican governments,
and have felt hurt snd panied by the
course pursued On several occasions, by
which many persons were carefully eLclu-
ded from all participation 10 the cersuo-
MES, who entertain as warm and sincere a
desire to pay honor to the soldiers, as do
those Who sel6snIy claimed that they only
were true to the Government. I might
Instance the circumstances attending the
arrangement of the funeral of C0ougl
Thohuru, q man universally beloved aud
respect ed, and sincerely mour1ed. Such
proceedings are calculated 20 engeuder and
keep alive i'll feeling and amnesty, and
ought Eos again occur. l believe that
ninety nine ona -hundredths of the people
will concur with me in recommending sdsE
the Council aud authorities OF the city
should lake charge OF, and direct all de-
uoustrauons Of honor and respect shown
to our soldiers, and I submit the matter TO
you for such action, IN the future, as you,
in your wisdom may deem rignG and pro-
per.
The ustnteuauce Of the peace and quiet
Of the city, and the enforcement OF ului-
cipsI laws. are of the greatest Importance
to the citizens, aud the means necessary to
secure these ends demands your serious
considerations. l. must be evident to all.
that the present police force, seven mea, is
insufficient. The number of officers has
been the same for many years, aud perhaps,
was large enough previous TO the rebellion,
to maintain order IN > city so remark
able for quiet as this was, bat now
there Is greater disposition TO rowdyisu,
drunkenness aud crime, which, if It runs
longer unchecked will work serious injury
to the interests Of the city. You, geutIa-
men, are asut here by the people, and cloth
ID uTsF
thority to make such reguIati1us and en-
TO maintain the ordinances, secure
quiet snd good order TIE men
of the present force are required to
serve warrants aud summons N penal
and civil cases Ia the city, and to reu4in
on duty from 4. VI. 1utiI midaighE of
each day; it is aot to oe expected that they
can perform 90 many hours service aud do
It we'll; they are stationed, one in each ward,
which places two men below the creek
among a population Of eight TO nine tdous-
aud people; oae 10 the third ward among
three thousand. The force has not now, nor
ever had al efficient organic 4Iio1, and is
practically useless. II the Council intends
to secure the government Of the city under
municipal law, 3 force adequate for the
purpose must be employed, let the cost be
"USE Il may UntssS tu4s Is uOneI OUT one
course remains, and that is TO call upon the
eouusndans of the post to take charge
of us. Conversation with m4uy eitiz eos
eonviuces me that the taxpayers aud a
majority of the people are willing TO incur
so increased expenditure for police
force, in the hope that IL will be effective
against the night assaults, and ruboeries
and violations of the peace, larterIy so
tceqQeuE. | have the police ordinances OF
the cities of Chicago, Louisville, Baltimore
and PIttsburg. which can be examined oy
the committee to which you may refer she
subjz The examination OF their several
plans suggests 20 me that the best one is to
employ say thirty one men, and pay for
their service such sun as will secure pei
sons OF ability; form three divisions, No. I
to consist ofse7en men, No. z and No. 3 of
tzaIza r,an aa.h .a-. - -. :.