Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-01
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS.
INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE FROM
VARIOUS LOCALITIES,
Navigation and Finance at Bellsire-
"ethers" GAINESVILLE Letter
ST. ClairsviIIe Shorts-Mar-
tins Ferry Matters.
BELLAIRE.

fire at its mouth yesterday, but was put
out before much damage was done.
William Sinram is having new roof
put on his residence in the First ward.
A gentleman by the name OF Kirk
land, in Mead township, has been losing
wheat from his granary every night or
two. He now has an eye on thief, and
will probably capture the culprlt as
we'll as recover the gralns
Isaac Mcmahon, an old and respected
citizen of the Second ward, died to-day.
He was attacked with paralysis
and soon expired. He leaves wife
and two children. Mr.. Mcmahon was a
frugal, hardworking man, and by his
department through life won the respect
and esteem of all with whom he came
i'm contact. He hadn't wealth, but he
had the more important requisites that
20 10 make up man. He will be buried
to-day, in Rose Hill Cemetery, at 10
o'clock An.
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
Capt. J. b. Daniels, OF the Govern
ment river force, hands us the following
full report Of the river dredging at
Bogg's ripple and McMahOn's creek, in
this vicinity. IL will be OF great interest
to our river men: At Bogg's ripple
9, 400 stones were removed; at Nc
Mahon's creek, l,637 rocks were taken
out, all OF which laid in the way Of
steamboats,. The channel now is in per-
feet condition, and crafts will have no
difficulty in passing the Island. In the
face of the fact that many boats have
lost their bottoms through coming in
contact with the "nigger heads of
Boggs Island, our river men will offer a
TS D,7m TO Capt. Daniels. We consider
this one of the best Jobs that has been
done on the Ohio for year, and We hope
the good work may go on until eyary
rock is removed from the river
bed A large rock at kate's
Landing is a dangerous customer to
packets and tow boats. The Captain is
ordered to remove the obstruction, and
from thence ne will 90 to Little Grave
Greek Ripple TO remove some prominent
bOulders and log that Obstructs the
passage OF our river craft; and, il the
weather permits, he will keep on down
the river, cleaning out the channel as he
marches toward the Gulf until the cold
drives the boys from their work. Capt.
Daniels has done good work, and our
river men will appreciate it.
CITY FINANCES.
Our city matters have engaged the at
tention Of Council for the past few
months, and every action of our SolOns
has been tending toward retrenCh-
ment i'm expenditures. The first move
was tO reduce the police force from five
to three; then a new contract with the
Gas Company, by which a considerable
saving accrued to the city; then the fire
department was invaded, and a reduC-
ton OF four-diths made in the yearly
stipend Of "the boys who handle the
reels and engines. To get light on the
necessityof this retrenchment and other
items bearing on our city government
We interviewed several officials and
prominent gentlemen yesterday, with
the following result: We first called
upon Mr.. ReeS, Clerk of Council.
"Mr. Rees, the Council seems 10 be
cutting down expenses, how do YOU ex-
plain the necessity OF such wholesale
trimming?
THE Council for the want OF money
has reduced the police force; has de-
cided temporarily To reduce the amount
of money appropriated 10 the fire com
panies, and is about to reduce the num-
Der Of street lamps used. In other re-
SpectS the Council is only using its or
dinary economy IN preventing unneces-
sary expense
"Was it wise, Mr.. Rees, tor the Coun-
Gil TO reduce our police force
"It was certainly wise, for We never
needed more than three night watch
men; aside from this, there was no
money 10 paw more than three
Do you think il economy or good
policy 10 reduce the membership in
Council, as has been proposed to three
members
Ii YOU mean reduction OF the
Council 10 three members, | do not
think il either economy or wisdom, even
ii il were lawful, which il is not. IL is
not economy, for they are paid nothing;
it Is not wisdom, for larger number is
needed in order TO consider fully and
fairly the interests of the different parts
of the city.
What relation does the city sustain 10
the gas company, and what will the
people Of the borough gain by the re-
cent contract with that company?
The relation of the city 10 the gas
company is in the main, only that OF
a customer. Ii has, however, certain
powers in regard 10 fixing the price. |
10 not know how the present contract
will affect the city. | had supposed
that the city would neither gain or lose
by the change.
WHAT does the Council propose to 10
in regard 10 our Fire Department? Will
It be economy TO reduce the pay OF our
6rcmeno
The Council proposes. as | under
stand, a a temporary measure 10 re-
duCc the appropriation for the Fire De-
partment. Ii Is certainly economy, and
under the law nothing else can be done.
The city, OF course, will keep up It's Fire
Department and see that nothing is
wanting to keep all the apparatus in an
efficient condition.
What are the causes that make re-
trenchment necessary? We have here
toiore supported al the branches that
render our municipal corporation secure
and independent. why Cant't We do II
now one Oi the main causes, and, IN
, TACT, the only cause OF n lack OF funds,
has been the necessity OF using One-halt
OF the lew far water works interest.
For the last three wears there has been
only four and one-half mills
OF the levy applicable TO
the general expenses OF the city, includ-
ing Fire Department, streets and alleys,
bonds ami interest other than water
works. light. police, &c. The financial
condition OF the city was never better
than now; the debt ia less than ever;
the water works bonds have been re-
funded so as 10 make an annual saving
OF $1,000; and no doubt IN a short time
the works will take care Of part Of the
interest. All about il now iS-the City
Council has wisely determined that it
will not run in debt. II it has no money
tu paw, IL will not contract any Obliga-
ton to dose For my own part think
everything is all right.
In conversation with another gentle
man, he gave Us the following points re-
gardlng city matters: In answer 10 the
question, Has the City Council the
power to compel the trustees of the wa
ter works to pay over any surplus
money in their hands TO meet the inter
est on the water works bonds, thus stop
ping the further issuing of bonds?' he
said: Council has the power by ordi-
nance to compel the application of the
surplus water works fund-after the
payment OF all expenses Of conducting
and managing the water works-tO be
applied to a sinking fund for the liqui-
/ dation OF the water works debt.
As 10 reducing expenses, any means
. by which the same is done will lessen
taxation. At present, the municipal
taxation is so heavy that capitalists do
not reside here. The removal OF so
much taxation would be an incentive