The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-02-08
Mayors. Annual Message.
MAYORS OFFICE, WHEELING, W. W. !
~ 81 February z, 1866. !

of Council III.
GENTLEMEN: By an ordinance OF the city
it is made my duty to address yon "a COM
in relation to the interests
of the city generally, with recommends
lions concerning the management OF Its
affairs for the current year"
Last year several important move.
ments were recommended, but one OF
which, the establishment oft he MUM
cipal Court" has been COnsummated' Inc
Court has been in operation since July
1st, 1865, and has fully accomplished the
objects intended 1t was found necessa-
ry' however, in practical working, to
provide place OF temporary conhne-
ment for offenders, and for TINS purpose
a contract, which is filed IN the CLERK 8
Office. was made with the Supervisors
of the County for the use OF the base
ment of the court house as city lock up
It's use also as Police Court room IS IN
cluded, and both free of charge. The
institution of a lookup has, am con-
WINGED, been very effective in rendering
violations of the peace less frequent than
formerly.
I do not, now, recommend any change
in our present police organization, or
any increase Of force for day duty, as
the successful maintenance Of the peace
by it during last year in the midst of
many disturbing causes, leads me to be-
lieve that the task will not be difficult
in the future but should circumstances
arise which, in the opinion of the citi-
zenS and yourselves, would require po-
lice duty to be performed constantly,
day and night, in which case an increas-
ed force would be necessary, / respect
fully refer you to my message of last
wear for plan which | believe would
work satisfactorily. Permit me in this
connection to call your attention to the
small amount of compensation received
by the sergeants. They are required to
be on duty until twelve o'clock at night,
they have considerable responsibility,
must incur the risk of bodily injury, and
can never be entirely free from anxiety
for this they receive each forty-fve dol
lars per month, say one dollar and a
half per day, while the laborers working
for the city, under the Street Commits
sioner and the Superintendent OF the
Water Works are paid by the council
two and one-h alf dollars per day, and
they, after ten or twelve hours work
each day, can rest for the night, gener-
ally, without fear of being disturbed,
and without uneasiness | recommend
such consideration in fixing the salary
of the Sergeant, as will enable him to
pay his dc uties an increased compensa-
ton.
CITY PRISON
again call your attention to section
IS of the charter which gives to the city
authority to establish City Prison"
the Jail of this county, now used for
city prisoners, is also used by the State
as penitentiary, and is generally full
to its capacity. Last year the city paid
to the Jailor, for fees and boarding OF
prisoners, more than fifteen hundred dol
| lars and perhaps as much more to Alder
man, the Clerk of Municipal Court and
the Sergeant, in the same cases, say
three thousand dollars in all, for which
the city gets little, if any, return but
certainly saving OF money and possibly
an income would result from the adop.
| ton of tho plan suggested in my oom,1lu
| picatiOn of last year. which was that 4
suitable building should he erected on
some parcel of ground belonging TO, or to
be acquired by the city that sufficient
space be enclosed for labor at breaking
stone, and that the ordinance relating to
labor without compensation, be so
amended that male offenders may he
sentenced to work out the payment OF
fines, costs and boarding while at work,
by breaking stone at given rate per
perch, and that they ~ discharged as
soon as they have accomplished il The
same plan with other employment would
work well for female prisoners
STEAM FIRE TNcINF
A steam fire engine has been purchased
and a new supply Of hose has been CON
tracted for In relation to the steam
engine some misapprehensiOns exist, as
to ownership and control 1t belongs to
the city, the gift by subscription OF her
citizens, but with the express under
standing that it is to be in the charge,
for the benefit of the whole city, OF the
United Fire Company which is fully
competent, from the number ofengineers
and mechanics among its members, TO
properly undertake and discharge the
trust Tie engine, after unexpected de
Law, will. ! am informed, soon be here
and az vet no house has been provided
for IT, A lot in a suitable location was
purchased and paid for by council last
year, plans and specifications were oh
tanned tor building to be erected there
on, proposals were asked for. received
opened in council and n resolution Ill
recting contract with the lowest bidder
was passed in the Second Branch bnt
laid on the table in the First Branch I
recommend that action be taken for the
speedy erect on OF the house contempla-
ted as necessary for the reception of the
engine
WATER PIPE
II IS very lIpOTtant 10 the safety Of
property and the convenience and com
for of the citizens that the line OF large
supply pipe proposed to be laid from the
Basin to Division street, should be con
tracted for, aud, as soou as possible, pre-
pared for service Propositions were re
ceived q shoTt time since for the work
but am informed the whole subject was
laid over 10 view of possible reduction
in the cost Of iron What may occur in
prices no one can tell, but do not think
that any fall IN prices is probable, which
might save enough honey to Justify
longer neglect 10 prosecute 50 necessary
an improvement as the laying of this
pipe appears 10 be 1t is absolutely need
ed both to supply the fremen and the
ordinary consumers, many of whom pay
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