Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-23
BOARDS or COMMISSIONERS.
How the city Could by Better ane
More Economically Managed.
Al. IgJs,or Of IN, Rsrr;sfeT

How the City Could by Better and
More Economically Managed.
To the Editor ofthe Recfster.
The proposed change in the method OF
managing the streets and alleys and the
Water Works of this city seems to meet
with good deal of opposition from some
the members of our Council. They assort
that il the change is made that Council
will have nothing TO do, and that the peo-
pie will be deprived OF some rights which
should not be parted with by them. 1st this
so? No citizen in the least acquainted with
the varied and arduous duties performed
by members of Council will say so. They
are unpaid. Their time is given TO the
city TO the neglect of their private business
resulting in many instances in serious loss 20
them. Service on Council Committees occC-
pies large part of one or more days before
each regular meeting and the regular and
special meetings take up two or more
evenings in each month. In addition to
this the people take up more or less OF the
members time in private interviews about
the city affairs. In all, it is safe to say that
each Councilman will average three or
four days in every month in attending TO
the business Of the city, for which his only
pay in many instances Is abuse from dlssatiS-
fed persons. Very seldom does one hear
Councilman commended for what he does
in Council.
II the Departments Of Streets and Alleys
and Water Works were placed in the hands
of Commissioners, the work now
done by Committees on Streets
and Alleys and on Water Works
would chiefly be done by these Commits
sioners, while the general supervision OF
the two departments would remain with
these two committees and with Council.
No general Improvement in either depart
ment would be undertaken by the Com
missiOners unless ordered by Council after
a report from the committees.
The strict enforcement of the ordinances
for the government of these two depart
ments and the employment of the hands
would be left with the Commissioners, but
their actions at all times would be subject
to Councils approval or disapprOval.
Would this be all infringement OF any Of
the rights of Council or OF
the people? Would the release from
onerouS committee duties be a disrespect
TO members of Council or would the work
being done under ! commission make any
less employment for the laborers? The
work will have to be done, and the only
change will be that it will be better done
that it now is.
The City Clerks report for 1881 shows
that $4,000 were spent on the streets aud
alleys last year. IL is respectfully submit
ted to the judgement Of our citizens if the
city got $4,000 worth OF work for her
money.
The Water Works. for lcontingent s1-
peuses, coal, labor and Superintendents
salary cost $i5,0OO0, and for mains, new
pumps, boilers and laying mains So, 900
more and never since the works were first
built has there been so much
dissatisfaction with our water
supply as during the past year.
These statements are not intended TO re-
| feet on either Mr.. Stephens or Mr. Riddle,
but to prove that the practical workings OF
the present system in their departments is
| not profitable.
The plan of managing the affairs of city
Of 5000 people. with but two or three fac
| tories, is not suitable for one Of 3d. ,0OO. We
! have outgrown our fathers ideas, but seem
| content 10 shuttle along in their old-fash.
\ ioned, worn ont way of Lying, at loss OF
! $4,000 TO 5000 Yer year. There is not 8
| business in our midst which is conducted
! now as il was twenty-five years ago, and
| there is not member Ot council whose
| calling is governed by the same rules his
fathers was, yet it seems some
| COunCilmen are willing 10 make
all exception to all this, so far
| as the city's business is concerned.
If Ccuncilmen would not be deprived oil
! am rights of what would the people be2 Is
| the depOsiting of ballot for two city officers
! worth the above loss Of money to the public?
| Ii the voting for city officers is such a pre-
| cious privilege why have the people so
| long submitted to the loss Of that privilege
| in tie case of twenty-five of our city Off
! GERS? And why do not our Objecting Coun-
| c;lmGn make some move toward having
| this great boon restored to the people?
The people elect the Mayor, CITY Ser.
| 49, -. iarl H.
| tendent Of the Water Works and Street
! Commissioner.
The Council elects the Collector, Clerk OF
| tie Second ward market, Clerk of the Fifth
ward market, three Assessors. City Sur.
/ veyOr, City Sexton, Receiver, Health OFF
| Ger, Lumber end Coal Measurer Superin-
! tcnlcnt of the City Prison, Superintendent
| OF the Chain Gang, City Solicitor, Clerk OF
! MuniCipal Court, Chief OF the Fire Depart
! rnent trSt and second ASSi5tan NarshalS,
three Gas Trustees, aud Keeper Of Lookup,
| snd can any citizen show when, where or
how he has been oppressed b Council so
/ GOING Twenty-Five years ago the people
| did elect every officer of this city, and after
| a thorough test the system was found 10 he
! such nuisance that they asked - be re-
| leycd oi It. and 10 have the election of city
officers placed in the hands of Council.
The members of Council who are SO fear
\ ful thai the people rights may hc tramP!ed
on, must have a very poor opinion of their
honesty OF purpose. Ii the people are
willing to trust th'm, and il is safe 70 say
that three fVu-rhs Of them are, why
| should they fear to trust them
selves They have been chosen by
the citizens of the several wards
of the city to loyS after the peoples
business, and so fsr have discharged the
duties in,ruSted % them fully as we'll as
any of their predecessors. There is not
member Of Council WI does not give more
Of his time and LABOR 20 the public without
the hope OF ice or reward than the people
have any right 70 ask or accept; and it is
6:,e 20 each ard every one Of our council
men that now when We have grown to be
city OF j, 900 inhabitsats that they be re-
lieved of some OF the uniuS: and unequal
burdens imposed on them. xxx.