Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-28

different departments 10 a very hhii'e"
degree. 1t simply substitutes three COM
missioners for the work heretofore de-
volyed upon committees of Council in
supervising the water aud street depart
ments.
There isreally no important modifiea-
ton besides this, unless the act shall
be construed to give the commissioners
absolute control of the funds paid into
the different departments and place
sr,eh funds beyond the reach or conf
mand of Council or any other authority
to be used for any other purposes than
those specified in the act.
We do not mean to imply that the
modification Of the existing system IN
the appointment of commissioners is
not important. In many respects it is
very important.
But after all, they are elected by Conn
Gil, accountable to Council, and subject
to the will and direction of Council as
fully as the committees have been here
tofore, in the discharge of the duties
now to be assumed by the commits
siOners.
The one important difference is in
the fact that these commissioners will
have authority-which committees do
not have-to collect and disburse the
revenues of their respective depart
ments. And, as we have said, if the
| act shall be construed, rs we think it
should be, to make the revenues of the
different departments inviolatc, II
entirely within the control of the COM
mfssioners for use in their de-
partments, and any surplus to
be transferred to their successors only,
then, there is very much good to b. eX-
pected from, at least, this provision OF
the law. 1t is the kernel of the whole
business. 1t will, in time, work a eyo
luton in the management ofOur finances
that will give Us cheap water, cheap
gas, cheap streets, and altogether a
more economical government than We
havehad.
But Of course all this depends upon
the character of men selected to dis
charge these trusts. The very best laws
are of no avail unless they are judicious-
ly administered.
I'VE append the full text of the bill, as
it will now become a matter OF general
interest.
Senate bill No. up. a bill in relation to
the government of the city Of Wheeling.
Be u enacted 6g the EegishT4re Of West IIr-
ing present, at their first meeting after
this act takes effect, or as soon thereafter
as practicable, and thereafter at their first
meeting after every regular charter cleo
ton, or as soon thereafter as practicable,
in like joint session, three water commits
sioners and three members of the Board
at the first meeting after
the next regular charter election to hold
their respective offices for the term of two
years, and the terms of Office of those
elected at the first meeting after this act
takes effect to terminate with the first
meeting Of council after the next regular
charter election, but all of said officers shall
continue in office till their successors are
elected and qualified.
.. The city water board, composed OF the
water commissioners, shall have, under
rules and regulations TO be adopted by the
board, and reported and approved by Coun-
Gil, the control, supervision and manage
ment of the Water Works and running of
the same, OF the reservoir and
pipes, repairs Improvements and ad-
ditiOnS thereto, of the supply Of water to
the consumers for such compensation rs
may be fixed by such rules and regula.
tons, shall collect the revenues from wa
ter rents and otherwise from water or the
works, and disburSe the same, and shall,
employ and discharge at their discretion
superintendent and such other officers
and employees as may be necessary, such
officers and the salaries to be paid them 10
be approved and confirmed by Council
But the present superintendent of the
water works shall continue in office, at his
present salary, until the first meeting of
the City Council after the next regular
charter election, but he shall make out of
his said salary the same payments to
subordinate employees as at present, and
during the remainder OF his term OF
office shall be subject to the general SUPER
vision, control and direction OF, and shall
report to the Water Board in the discharge
Of his duties as heretofore prescribed.
;. That the board of public works, under
rules and regulations to be adopted by them
and approved and confirmed by the coun-
Gil, shall have the management and con-
tract for the Improvement, cleansing. care
and repairs of the sewers, streets and alleys
of the city, and employ and discharge at
their discretion, q city engineer, and such
other officers and employees as may be nee
eSsary, prescribe their duties, and have the
control and supervision thereof; shall sup
nv - Cha - -.
the disbursement ofall moneys for or upon
the sewers, streets and alleys, such officers
and the salaries to be paid them to be ap-
proved and confirmed BY Council. But
the present Street Commissioner and CITY
Surveyor shall continue in office until the
first meeting Of Council after the next reg.
ular charter election, at their present rates
of compensation, and shall be subject to
the general supervision, control and direc-
ton of, and shall report to the Board, dur
ing the remainder OF their terms of office
in the discharge of their duties rs hereto
fore prescribed.
4. At the expiration OF the term of two
years for which the present Trustees of
the Gas Works of the city of Wheeling
were elected, the Council of the city in
like joint session shall elect three officers
to be called Trustees Of the Gas Works,
who shall hold their Office for the term of
two years, or until their successors are
and qualified.
). The said trustese shall have, under
rules and regulations to be adoptedb by them
approved by Council, control, superyis-
ion and management of the gas works,
pipes and connections, of all necessary re-
pairs, Of the purchase of all necessary ma
Of the supply of gas to consumers,
the collection Of the evenues arising
from the works and from gas supplied, of
the disbursements Of the same, and shall
employ and discharge at their discretion, q
Superintendentand such other officers and (,
employees as may benecessary, such officers
the salaries to be paid them to be ap- ]
proved and confirmed by Council. and
shall, under such rules and regulations, I
prescribe the duties, and have the super
Tision and direction of all such officers and
employees.
q Council may at any time amend,
Modify or annul any of said regulations. ,
The said members Of the Board of Public =
commissioners and trustees, shall
'ach receive for his services a salary OF one
dollars per wear.