The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-27

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Werner, Mr.. President. There being no
quorum an officer was dispatched to ar
rest delinquent: sufficient to make the
requisite number, but by the time be re-
turned with the parties, Messrs. Travis
and Kingdom had quietly taken leave.
As provided IN such cases by ordinance,
the chair callcl Council 10 order and IN
adjournment was had till Friday evening
next
First BrancA.-At an adjourned
meeting of this Branch last night the
following members were present, the
Mayor occupying the chair. Me5srs.
Brice. Blair, Butterfed, Csrnahsn,
Cowsn, Hall, Egerter, Roberts, Stone,
Schambra, McAdams, Wallace, Wilson
and Baird.
The minutes OF the last meeting were
read and approved.
The Mayor announced that the object
Of the meeting WAS the consideration OF
the proposed amendment to the charter
OF the city of Wheeling
A message was received and read from
the Second Branch that that branch nom
COL Cured In the action OF the First
Branch at its last meeting, which was
a resolution looking TO reduction OF the
workmen employed by the city.
The question in relation to granting
James A. Henry license to keep q
coffee house on the Island came up,
under the rules, for consideration.
Mr.. Stone offered remonstrance
about tour yards long, containing q
double row OF names from Island citl-
zens against the granting of u license TO
any one to keep coffee house on the
Island. The signer's reasons were that
it would be destructive TO the morals OF
the people residing thereon, and that the
police force would have to be increased
to preserve order, etc, etc.
A melton prevailed to have the names
of the signers TO the remonstrance read.
1t was accordingly done.
A counter remonstrance was offered by
Mr.. Egerter, which was fully us long rs
| the other.
After Mr.. Stones remonstranre had
been read, Mr.. Blair offered another re-
monstrance especially from the ladies of
the Seventh ward, containing 46S names,
against granting the proposed license
The following is the preamble to the
petition:
rhey feel sensibly that they may be
accused of stepping outside Of what may
be termed the sphere OF women, to med
die with the affairs of the City Fathers,
but still they cannot forget that as wives,
mothers, daughters ana sisters, they are
probably more Interested in, and will be
more deeply afflicted by, the licensing Of
u house for the sale OfintoXicating drinks
so near their homes than anybody else.
Many of us, alas but too deeply feel
already the dreadful results of this evil
that will last during our lives.
Some of US once had happy homes of
our own, and never knew what it was to
want for anything; but now, alas! We
are forced to live in poverty, and some
times have even had haggard want star
ing us in our faces, though we labor hard
and long after others are asleep, and
some of lis have had this brought about by
q father, son. brother or husband, over
whom the drink demon has entire con-
troll. Others of us are nOurnors OF those
that have gone down to the grave under
its influence.
Can YOU then. who have been chosen
to look after and protect the interests of
the city, wonder that We are not content
TO be silent when we learn that petition
i, before your body to license saloon in
our ward, that will eEticr more of our
friends away from the paths OF virtue and
hOnCrl
We think you Cannot-we dare hope
you will not-disrcgard our prayer
when YOU see that it is accom-
panied by the remonstraEcr of more than
nine.tenLhs of the hOu; eholds AID taml-
lies of the ward besides. We may men
tlon besides the above, our peculiar To-
cation, being o. an island, Isolated from
the city, and with only one police officer
to keep the peace by day and night; and
besides the multitudes CT the lawless and
Others that are attracted to our midst
during the summer months, because Of
the horse racing and other questionable
amusements that are carried on at the
Fair Grounds. Some are in liquor in
passing from the city to Bridgeport late
at night, who have terrible fights, and
exchange shots near our doors, even on
Zane street, which we are ready to prove
by unquestionable testimony.
For the above aud many more reasons,
we pray you will not license place Tor
selling drinks in our ward.
And We will ever pray, &c.
The petition offered by Mr. Egerter
from the citizens Of Wheeling, praying
that Mr.. Henry be granted license, was
read, together with the names the sIgners.
On the question OF concurrlng in the
action of the Second Branch to grant the
license, Mr.. Stone spoke against II. He
said he hoped ana did not think 1t would
be the temper OF this Council to inhicL II
ward with saloon when nlne-tehths OF
the residents thereof did Lot want one.
That it would be great Injustice to the
Seventh ward citizens he had no dOub:.
He had the right TO petition and it
ought TO be respected, especially when 1t
was so formidable rs the ones presented
tonight, and backed by the representa-
tiyes from that ward His remarks were
quite extended, very clear and forcible,
and were attentivc,y listened to. As
they embraced mostly what the gentle
man said at pryor meeting wcare brIet |
mir. Blair said that there was q false I.
opinion abroad in relation to granting
licenses. That people seemed to think T.
that anyone who saw fit could obtain a
licence. 1t was not so. The law in re- /
latlon to granting licenses was not sus-
ceptible OF such construction. 1t was
made for the purpose of Civ |
ing the residents OF a ward .
some voice and opportunity to pro- .
test against granting Tom, Dick and .
Harry licenses. The citizens OF each .
ward had right to decide whether they .
do or do not prefer saloon in their
midst. He compared the two petitions. /
The one in favor of grating the license
had but few names of residents on the .
Island. When the license was first
granted he thought 1t was intended to
locate the coffee house on Zane street,
East Wheeling, therefore he did not
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