Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-05-28
CITY COUNCIL.
LAST EVENINGS SPECIAL MEETING.
A Squabble Over the Salary Of the
Chief Of Fire Department, and a
Difference Of Opinion from
the Chair--0ther Mat
tiers of Interest.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE
NEW LOAN.

Last nights meeting was a rather in.
teresting one in some particulars, and
will prove what it is very seldom q
Council report is-interesting reading.
Second Branch.
1t was past o'clock before quorum
showed up, the following answering
to their names at roll call:
Messrs. Baker, Comerford, Dun.
ming, Eschstruth, Grogan. Haber-
field, Hoffman, Laughlin, Robinson,
Steele, Walter, Wingerter and Mr..
President.
Minutes OF last meeting were read,
and at the eud was appended a note
from the president questioning the
legality OF the action OF council IN re-
yersing his decision at last meeting in
relation to the matter OF the vote by
which an increase in the salary OF the
chief OF fire department was ordered.
Messrs Halter and Prince appeared.
Mr.. Baker stated that when, at the
last meeting, he appealed from the de-
cision of the Chair, he did 30 believing
he was in the right, and he thought 30
still, Notwithstanding the different opin.
ion OF the Chair.
Mr.. Scott stated that he had examined
the law governing the case in point, and
h I'd also taken legal advice on the sub.
ect, and was OF positive opinion that
his ruling was correct.
Mr.. Dunning said that ii he had been
present he would have objected 10 the
report being presented TO Council, as
the matter had not been before the COM
mittee, and was not really report of
the committee.
Mr.. Wingerter moved TO reconsider
the action OF the previous meeting ID
regard to the salary OF the Chief OF Fire
Department.
Mr.. Robinson raised the point o: or
der that the question had gone beyond
the power of this Council, as final action
had been taken and the matter sent to
the First Branch for concurrence or re-
lection.
The Chair stated that in his opinion it
had never legally passed in the Second
Branch. He defended his appendix to
the minutes by saying that It was simp.
ly the injunction Of citizen against
wrong. He then accused Mr.. Robinson
Of having said that he voted against the
decision of the Chair while believing it
TO be correct.
Mr.. Robinson explained the language
to which the President referred, when
the latter said he had misconstrued the
remarks and stood corrected.
Mr.. Baker offered resolution to re-
fer the matter OF additional salary to
the Chief OF Fire Department to the City
Solicitor, who should report his decision
to the Clerk and Receiver.
By request, Mr.. Baker changed his
resolution so as to have tho Solicitor re-
port TO Council.
Mr.. Walters read the law on which
the President based his objection TO the
action OF Council.
Mr.. Bakers resolution was lost by a
vote of 6 yeas to 10 noes.
Mr.. Prince moved TO reconsider the
action OF the last meeting in reference to
the salary OF the Chief Marshal, which
was adopted-yeas ii, noes Z.
Mr.. Houston raised the point OF order
that Mr.. Prince had not voted in the
affirmative, not being present at the last
meeting.
The chair decided the point well
taken, and the motion was renewed by
Mr.. Wingerter and again adopted.
A Communication from the Mayor was
read announcing the vote in the late
election for municipal Judge, accom-.
panied by resolution declaring that
Geo. w. LETTERS had been elected. Res
olution adopted.
The chair reported the unfinished
business to be the report OF the ri.
nance Committee on loan ordinance,
and showing the state OF finances.
The following report was presented by
the Committee, showing the existing in