Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-03-10
THE INSURANCE WAR.
Council Chambers the Arena Of
the Conflict.

tuc SOhhiSN r.r
One OF the hercest debates that has
ever echoed In the walls Of the city build
ing was that Of last night, over the ques-
tion OF repeating the ordinance imposing
a license tax Of $50 on foreign insurance
agents doing business in this city. Not
only was it fierce in arguments, which
were of unusual soundness, but In bitter
personalities hurled from member TO
member in the course OF the debate.
This sanguinary battle originated with
a petition, setting forth that the ordi.
nance which levied the tax was uncalled
for and the tax itself burdensome and
onerous. There were some two hum
bred signers to this petition and they
represented the commercial importance
OF the city--"its very bone and sinew,"
as a member aptly expressed 1t.
Then followed the ordinance, brief
and TO the point, repeating the former
one. Mr.. Goodfellow fred the first gun
in moving to reject. The petition had
not been read and several members
wanted it. Their motion to that effect
was carried and Col. Updegraff, settling
hack into luxurious ease in his seat,
ratified of the Manassas many as he
could read.
Then Mr.. Goodfellow took the floor
and opened a brisk cannonade. His
argument was long, thorough and ex.
haustiye. He reasoned against the or.
dinance with great depth OF feeling and
breadth of view, though his onset was
somewhat weakened by an assault made
on his flank by Mr.. Pollock, the humor.
list from the Garden Spot, who defied
Mr.. q. to name a single person who had
ever lost by "wild cat company" Mr..
G.. declined.
DIR. Reeves made very effective on
slought in behalf OF foreign companies.
He had formidable array OF figures and
facts, and fired them point blank with
in easy range. From his argument It
was painfully apparent that the home
companies were so many Shylocks say
ing to the foreign company Antonias:
"You lower the rate OF insurance here in
Venicel" =,
Then came Counsellor Caldwell with
A whitening sarcasm hurled at the Fire
Department and Chairman Logan Sec
onded him. Manchester Kimberly
threw q hot shot across the Doctors
bows and won need OF laughter and
applause.
By this time, and from the side re-
marks dropped, it became apparent that
the anti.tax men were in the majority
aud the opposition began to iillibuster.
| The ordinance was on its first reading
and they moved to refer. The motion
was lost by vote OF II to s, and the Or
| dinance passed to second reading. Mr..
| Goodiellow again moved to refer. he
| thought all the difficulties could be
bridged over in the sanctity OF the COM
mittee room. But the others thought
the sending Of this ordinance would be
| like committing lamb to the tender
care of q pack of wolves, and they
promptly tabled it.
More speeches were then in order and
| finally, after two hours had flown un,
noticed by, the fillibusterers were routed
| and the ordinance was adopted by q
vote OF III too. AS q majority of two
| thirds is required, the ordinance lays
over. The result summed up: The
anti-license side has won battle and
holds the field, but must win another
before victory perches on their gonfa-
Ions. The vote, which was the same
throughout, was as follows:
Aye Caldwell, Il. F., Ewing, Hand
Ian, Haller, Hamilton, Houston, Kim
berry, Larkin, Pollock, Reeves and Wait
III.
No-Arkle, Caldwell. A., Goodfellow,
Jefferson, Myers, McNash, Simpson and
Waterhouse-9.