Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-12-14
SEVERAL SUBJECTS
Of Surprising Interest to Nail
Citizens.
Discussed by the Ordinance Committee
The Disposition Of Gas Surp'us
Fuads-liausr License
Question.

u, "
the Councils Committee on Ordinances.
This is an important committee, but it Is
modest, as witness conversation which
preluded some business. Mr.. Stanley; in
speaking of certain measure, said it was
oil right, il Council, in its wisdom, saw mt
to do it. Mr.. Hall said he didn't take
much stock in the wisdom of Council.
[Cries of "Esar. hear" from the lobby. ]
Mr.. Stanley was surprised at the low esti-
mate Mr.. Hall put on himself, to which
that gentleman replied that some members
Of Council had been there long enough TO
know their little value. Some laughed at
this, and Mr.. Bingell murmured: "Pres-
ent com pany excepted After this per-
tectly side-splitting prologue, the committee
got down to business. The Gas Trustees
bad been invited to be present to give their
opinion on proposition to
COVER THE SURPLUS GAS REyEsusS
nto the city treasury. This is an old
euemy in new dress. Since the city gas
consumers bought the works, there has not
been Council that has not had two or
three members who thought the general
city should not use the money the gas con-
sumers paid in. The moment the reports
of the trustees showed a slight surplus,
soR.e statesman has been for jumping upon
it and GivertiDg it into the city treasury.
There are doubtless some few who would
like TO see gss 81 aud the surplus 60 toward
paving the street in front OF their property
However, to the question.
MeSsrs. Simpson and l.ewis appeared ana
Nj Hall said 10 them we want to dis.
cuss the propriety OF turning over to the
city any surplus funds you may have to
spare, for the city needs money very bad
iy." 1t was very evident the Trustees
could see no such prophecy, and Mr.. List
said the idea was to have the Trustees hold
10 - or 80 per cent or whatever might be
necessary for expenses Or repairs, and turn
the remainder over 10 the city treasury.
MIR. Simpson said it was impossible to give
| u reply then, for the reason that they were
unable TO tell what repairs or what new
mains would be necessary. There wore
certain
REPAIRS NECESSARY
for next season, he said, which seemed to
astoniSh the committee, but Secretary H~z
lett submitted the following estimate o.
he money necessary, al! the Use to which
Il will be put:
New iGinch main pipe from works
10 Main street, / To feet, so ~ per
ton, including laying OF Sanle ,UO).O'
Extension ana repair OF ma!ns........" 2,'JJO
MAR Ing holder Mo- estimate OF
Ar. Dolly ......... !,ty -
Erection OF buildings and "eptir OI
appBrat .................. J. WV
VCtsl...,,.........,.. ...... So JJlIi
This threw a decided damper on IN
proposition, as it was evident that $500
did no mole than represent the ne. era
iHgs of the works for one year. "R:siies,
added Mr.. Simpson, 80 cent gas il, as yet
only All experiment, and We c,uuOt tel
how it will pan out" The proposition Z
divert was dropped.
THE LICENSE QUESTION.
Tie committee proceeded TO the conSid
Grafton of a resolution directing it TO en-
quIre into the expediemcy Of changing the
annual liquor license ordinance int, b
standing ordinance. A committee from
The coffee house keepers association was
present, headed by Mr.. Fred Hankc, who
was spokesman. He very briefly and in
telligibly set forth the reasons for asking
the change. Under the present system
Council fixes the license tax at q
late date, sometimes not until after
saloon keepers have rented and generally
buI few days before the license year be-
gins. The desire is 10 have the rate fixed
once for all, by standing ordinance, so
that a man msy make his renting con
tract On January l, with full knowledge
of what his license will cost. Council can
amend this ordinance at any time and the
effect is the same ss the present one, the
only difference beirg that the salOonist
knows in advance Wnat he will have to
pay aud will not he kept on the ragged
edge" 10y a vscillating Council. The COM
mittee quickly understood the case and
voted to recommend il to Council, though
Messrs. Hall and Miller demurred little
over il.
NOT PAELIAMENIAHY.
There was only one other matter OF in,
terest. MIR. Smith wanted to change Rule
Is, OF the B. oil p w, so that the OtnsT
city boards would not have 10 obtain tn
same permission to dig in the streets az
plumbers. Clerk GsllIgsn read parlian.en
tary law to the effect that n committee
could not report on matter not referred