The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-06-12

only doing my duty, you had
better appeal to the Council"
which i did al once, and the result was
a reduction of ten QO) dollars ordered,
making the bill forty dollars. ms
action the Collector informed me o.
when repeated what had stated Pc
fore. After some time had elapsed the
bill was reduced to twenty-five collars.
which, i'll did not pay, was informed
the water would be shut oil. Ihe pay
ment was refused for the reasons before
stated. then sent the following note
to the Chairman OF the Committee
Capt. Il. Wilson, Chairman Committee
on Water Works!
DEAR SIR THE recent action OF the
Committee on Water Works-of which
/ believe you are misunderstanding
off the water from this building, in
duces me to address you that my pro-
test against this action be placed on
file. AS stated to you some months
since, am and always have been will
ing to pay the highest water tax here
tofore charged this office,-higher than
this doubt your authority TO fix 1t.
In any event, the amount you have
fixed as the lowest twenty-five dollars)
is without precedent, entirely dispro-
pOrtiOnate, and incontrovertibly I'M
Just. Every employe in this Office pays
water tax elsewhere. We do not use a
family of Jour persons. In view of
what has already been stated to you in
relation to this subject it seems almost
superhuous for me to characterize this
proceeding as arbitrary in the extreme,
but am compelled to do so. a fair
equivalent am willing to pay. De-
mands of this ezorbitant character l
am not permitted to entertain, ana
would consider myself derelIct in duty
| if needed to. From an incautious OBJ
aerVation made by gentleman con-
nected with the business, am disposed
to believe that this an attempt to reim-
burge the city for past delinquencies or
supposed inadequate payments. II
such be the case the injustice is quite as
glowing. Finally, believe if you will
look at this subject in AN impartial
manner you will reconsider your action
and accept what l have offered.
Very respectfully,
ISignedl C. j. RAwLING, 7. NJ.
1t will be observed that 1 requested
this protest be placed on file, but have
understood 1t was not not so treated
but pocketed by the gentleman adj
dressed. The water having been shut
off some six weeks, was called on by
Mr.. Stanley "a member of the Councii),
TO whom gave the facts; upon which
he stated that the Council knew moth
ing of this, and he would present the
case at the first meeting. J. also in
formed Mr.. S. that rather than be con-
sidered stubborn or as showing a cap
tious spirit would pay SIS.
The above is the letter referred TO by
a member of the Council as being livery
iusulting," while in my opinion an In
suit near or remote cannot be- con-
stEued, neither WAS it intended. There
!s no desire 10 trench on their
authority, set at defiance any city or
dinRnce, or to dictate any terms. On
the contrary the spirit of the cOmmu-
nication throughout is supported by
precedent, the letter by my rights as
citizen, and the business OF the pro-
test by all impartial minds. II, how
ever, they assume to deny my right 10
petition, then it is an Insult. II not,
then II is only straightforward pro-
test, and one that am justified in ma
king as Government official in duty
| bound to protect the interests of the
! Department have the honor to serve.
| And the manner in which 1 have rem
dered myself obnoxious" has been
/ In endeavoring to discharge my duties
| honestly. AS for the remarks of Mr..
| Salisbury regarding this matter, they
| undoubtedly express his wish, but il
may be well to inform him that there
I is little probability that he will be
( gratiiied at present.
| The publicity given to the proceed
I ings of the council induces me 10 make
1 this lengthy explanation, not having
the least desire to enter into u news
! paper controversy with any of its MEM
beers. Respectfully yours.
( c. j. RAwLISG, p. NJ.