The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-04-04
L. There a screw Loose Out at
Grafton?
GRArros. Aprila.


EdItOrl Intcllseneer:
The smart individual who Is exhibiting
his ignorance through the columns Of the
Regsar reminds one Of the idiotie fell
low who once attempted to suck the
ocean dry through straw. His will ia
good, but alas | his ways aud means are
limited. Where he derives his wonder.
full information is beyond the compre-
hension Of those who are most thorough
" acquainted with the affairs Of the town
OF Grafton.
In refutation thereof now make the
following assertion, which lam prepared
TO prove by the books and officers Of the
town: That under the financial manage
ment OF the men who are now running
the town, the levy last year was increased
one.half in the interest Of reform; that
the individual members OF the Council
brought In more small bills in their own
favor than any year previous, also in the
interest OF reform; that there were allow
ed 10 individual Councilmen for commit
tee services more than any year previous
In the same interest; that there have been
more Jobs put up in the interest oil mem
bers OF the Council for individual pur-
poses than ever before, and reform did
Il; that the interest on the Tex.
ter bond has not been paid for
two years, the statement Of the Register
correspondent to the contrary notwith-
standing, and reform paid il; that the
Indebtedness Of the town has been in
creased BY reform in the past year; that
II petition was circulated in the town
asking for the removal Of the three mem.
bers Of the Council who were elected one
year ago three voters would sign said
petition for removal for every two that
voted for their election; that these mem
bers have more brains than honor and
more brass than either, and will never be
elected to an Office Of trust again unless
they mend their ways, reform and allow
their noses to be painted white 80 the peo.
pie will be able to tell they are anli.license
according 10 their profession one year ago.
II Is indeed true that they reduced the
salaries OF the officers Of the town, but !
assert without fear OF successful contra
diction that this was done for mere
outward show to wool gather the people
and stop the spigot in view and open The
bung out OF view.
Our citizens have never objected to
paying competent officers remunerative
salaries, but they do object TO paying in
competent men anything in the name OF
reform. Figure heads ought never to be
elected to office at any salary it matters
not how small. It Ia true they can en-
ploy others to do the work for them, but
why not elect the assistant 10 office at
once and do away with worthless ap-
pendsge.
The action OF the Council fixing the
Mayors salary at $50 per annum receives,
rs Il deserves, the hearty condemnation
Of all the leading taxpayers Of the town.
The idea OF town as large as Grafton
paying its Mayor. who is the executive
officer, Judicial officer and general super.
intendent Of its affairs, only $50 per an.
mum is simply absurd, and will certainly
receive well.deserved rebuke at the
proper time. 0ne OF the members Of
this Council had received Sl00 for the
same servic es only year previous,
and he never before claimed II was too
much. l am authorized to say that the
statement that the Mayor.elect was salts
fed with the miserable and unremunera.
tive pittance doled out to him so grudg-
ingly 10 untrue, and like all the other
nonsensical statements made by this self
constituted knight Of license, is the pro.
duct OF a diseased brain, fumigated be-
yond measure by an oyer-indulgence in
stale beer and tainted saur kraut.
Vox PoPuLI.