The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-06-07
ADDITIONAL LOCAL.
THE POLICE.
Reporter the Finance Committee Upon
the Proposed Increase In the Foree-A
Talk with Major Sweeney.


, the Proposed Increase IN the Foree-l
Talk with Major Sweeney.
The Council Committee on Flnanc,
held a meeting last night, at the Git.
Building, to consider the estimates madt
by the Standing Committees Of Council
Of expenditures for the ensuing year, and
referred to them for report. An ordinance
adopted some time since requires the Com.
mitteCs on Streets, Alleys and Grades,
Fire Department, Lights and Police each
to annually prepare an estimate Of their
expenses for the ensuing year. These es.
Inmates, as prepared by the Committees,
are usually referred to the Finance Com.
mittee for report, and for the considera.
tton oi the estimates referred to, the Com.
mittee met last night.
In conjunction with the matters above
referred 10, the petition Of large number
ot citizens for an increase in the police
force was referred to this committee, 80
that IN case they should sec fit TO recon.
mend an enlargement Of the force, pro.
vision should be made for the same In the
appropriation for the police department,
great deal oi interest was attached to
the report Of the committee upon the ap.
preparation for the Committee on Police,
In consequence Of the vigorous effort that
had been made to effect the passage
oi an ordinance increasing the force 10
twenty-five men, instead OF eleven, as at
present. Consequently, the action OF the
Finance Committee has been looked for.
ward to with more vhan ordinary interest,
The committee, after giving the matter
due consideration, took vote upon the
proposition to increase the police force Of
the city, the result OF which showed the
members of the committee 10 be a unit in
favoro Of an increase or, at least that they
recognized the necessity OF the present
force being enlarged. The expense, how.
ever, was considered great obstacle in
the way, and finally, after much discus.
sion, Il was decided that the committee
should recommend to Council to add
eleven men to the police force, provided
the City Sergeant should consent to &C.
cept an adequate salary for his services,
In lieu OF all fees and perqutsites.
Meeting Major Sweeney few moments
after tho adjournment OF the committee
our man tackled him and asked him what
he thought OF their action, taking for
granted that he had heard oft.
What do think OF itP" said the Major.
why, I'm perfectly satisfied. The fact
that the committee sees and acknowledges
the necessity for an additional police force
goes q great way to corroborate every.
thing have said in bringing the matter
to the attention of Council
but how does this report help your"
asked the innocent reporter.
''How does it help me? Why, you know
that | had a petition in Council, signed by
all the solid business men OF the city, ask.
ing for an increase in the police force, and
good many Others, who were not 80
prominently interested, asked leave to sign
the paper. Now that committee made
up OF the best men Of the Council have
recognized the necessity for an increase
in the police force, don't you see that It
carries out everything have urged?"
well, but will you accept the terms?p
"No, not by considerable of majority.
| went through three campaigns. and was
bled like a bullock, to get where am, and
OF course | won't consent 10 anything OF the
kind. So far as the face Of the proposition
is concerned, it is simply very cool invi-
tation for me to pay Tor the proposed ill.,
crease Of the police force out OF my own
pocket. Now what benefit this increase in
the police force will be to me, in case It is
carried, can't imagine. They can't bring
me in any more money!
"But DR.. Reeves says you are liable TO
build up little ring and control politics"
"Reeyes is a blatherskite, and like some
others know OF, is afraid OF me. If
Reeves and some others Of his gang had
anybody in this Office they could control,
and influence as they please, they would,
instead Of squealing aboutit, do all they
could to build upa ring. So far as am
Individually concerned, the imaginary
ring means nothing. l might control
the eleven votes, but no more. But
It is not on my own account
that | have asked for this in
crease. Our best citizens have expressed
themselves upon the subject, and among
the many people with whom have talk.
ed, there are very few who do not admit
the necessity OF an increase in the force"
Then you propose to hold the fort,
Major.
Eyes, on that line, II it takes all sum-
mer. As don't ask this for myself, can
afford to hold my own and wait, like
Micawber, for something to turn up"