The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-12
For the Intelligencer.
WurETT~o no,
Editors Inteuigencer:

AsAttOI AHlStttSCUCGTs
notice in your columns, OF Saturday
mornings issue, communication in
regard to the slate roof on the Zane
Street NJ. E. Church-a communication
rejecting very much on myself, the
same being written or handed in for
publication by Mr.. Ball, the pastor OF
said church. L must confess, Messrs.
Editors, that on reading the article that
was much surprised, and felt myself
somewhat injured, from the fact that
MIR. Ball's representation of the causes
of the leaks in the roof, am fully sat
lshed, are incorrect. While it is fact
that there did appear several leaks in
the roof (and at a considerable period Of
time after it had been tinished), the
causes of those leaks were not traceable
TO the fact that the boys working for me,
the cause of 1t. But am fully satisfied,
ana not only myself but others, that the
principal cause was the inclement,
bad and exceedingly wet weather in
which we were, by the opportunities of
The Building Committee and others
concerned, forced to do the work. The
water, from the continued rains, so
completely saturating the slate that it
was impossible, at all times, to discover
defects that might be in the slate, not
wlthstanding my emphatic orders al
most every hour in the day, TO those
employed by me, to put nothing on the
roof that had n shadow of defect. But,
under the circumstances, as above
stated, there must have defective
pieces gotten in the roof, consequently
causing leaks wherever they might be.
l am also Creditably informed, by
members OF the church, and it is to nv
own knowledge, that, after the root had
been finished, different persons had,
from some cause or other, been on the
hot Il
could not help, and being notified of
the fact by one of the committee, did
not hesitate for a moment to go and
make the repairs at once. Mr.. Ball also
states in his article that 1 was remon-
strated with by him and others, and
that still allowed the boys to proceed,
Mr.. Ball came to me during the pro-
gress of the roof, and asked me if the
boys had employed were capable of
putting on the slate, a question which
was very natural for him to ask, and
Which answered kindly, that on the
plain portions of the root they could
put them on as well rs l could. With
this answer he appeared satisfied, hav-
ing, suppose, confidence in what l
said; and this is all the remOnstrance l
knew anything about, which, to nv
understanding Mt the time, was no re-
monstrance at all. would willingly
and gladly have left the job at the least
suggestion of one of the committee,
and, if not mistaken, so expressed
myself. But the language to me was
to get the roof on as soon as possible.
And their opportunities were so great
that went to Mr.. Brodie, the contract
or of the building, and requested the
assistance of his hands to finish the
work.
will close my remarks, Messrs. Ed
itors, by saying as 1 said before, that
there did occur leaks in the roof, and
have no doubt there was no person that
felt more agErieved than 1 did. But,
knowing the circumstances connected
with it, l don't feel that it is justice to
myself to lay under a charge of neglect
fulness and Obstinacy, rs portrayed by
the communication of Mr.. Ball, and
think it very unkind and uncalled for
in publishing the statement he did,
without ever informing me OF the situ-
alton of the roof, or consulting mo in
regard to the case. ALEX. CoEN.