Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-02
ARTHUR BROWNE
Asks a Suspension of Public
Opinion.
Editor Register.

Editor Register
Regarding my resignation on the 18th
ulto. OF the Office OF Superintendent OF
the CITY Gas Works-an act which my
friends, not understanding the circum-
stances that led TO il, have dlsapprOyed.
think il but right TO offer some eXpla-
nation.
In the afternoon of the above date,
the Gas Trustees through their Presi-
dent, demanded my resignation under
a threat or menace that should ! refuse
the consequence would be dismissal.
| expressed a desire To be allowed
time to see my friends, by whose adj
vice | had held the position the last lew
months, but | was told | must decide
by Z O'Clock of that evening, and this
did not allow me the required time.
Conscious that had done nothing to
Justify such a demand on the part OF
the Trustees, felt unwilling to comply
with it. But matters at the gas works
influenced me. Some OF the employees
there, knowing that my authority was
no longer sustained, became negligent
and careless in the performance OF their
duties.
To illustrate the state of insubOrdina-
ton and irregularity that existed at the
gas works, | shall mention few cases.
The employees to whom / allude,
would leave their work i'll the retort
house during the night, and after having
remained away a considerable time,
would return under the influence OF in
toxicating drink, incapable OF properly
shovelling the fuel into the furnaces,
and one of these parties, with only q
few months experience at the furnace,
threatened to "whip" the foreman in
the retort house, skilled workman who
has served some ten years at the works,
for no other cause than that he has
been endeavoring 10 have the furnaces
properly attended to 10y his assistants, 4
duty they have of late failed efficiently
to perform.
1t is only very recently that a stoker
or fireman while at work i'll the retort
house fell down from the effects OF
drink, and then in fit OF bad temper
repeatedly threatened violence TO a TEL
lOw-wOrkman; and when | was called
upon to interpOse my authority and re-
store and maintain quiet, this man
told me che would drink his whisky
and that it was none Of my business.
lie, then, upon my telling him that no
whisky drinking men con!dremain there
quit the works; yet notwithstanding the
proiane and defiant language of this
man toward me, he has been reinstated
after the lapse OF some eight or ten days,
bv some of the trustees, and is now re-
employed in the retort house.
Seeing that in this state OF things at
the works | could no longer-unsus-
tanned in my position-eXpect to be
able faithfully to discharge the obliga-
tons OF my office, and fearing that the
malice and ill-ieeling so decidedly
manifested, on the part OF
certain gas employees, towards
me. might be developed in some serious
accident at the works, that would result
i'm loss either to my securities or to my
self, ! tendered-reluctantly, | must
sav-the resignation.
! would beg Of the public OF Wheeling
TO suspend opinion touching the late re-
port OF the gas investigating committee
until my explanation is before them.
ARTHUR BROWNE.
Wheeling, .Spidmbe' l, 1879.