Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-09-18
CURRENT COMMENT
On the Financial Hole the cityis in.
What to do Since the Defeat of the Loan
0rdinance---views of City OFF,
Gals and CounciImea.

In city official circles yesterday the defeat
of the loan ordinance was the one topic of
conversation. It was matter Of personal
interest to them and they spoke of it with
concern. Councilmen dropped in and Ven-
tured opinions while discussing the situa-
ton and occasionally taxpayer called to
pay his respects and give his views The
writer heard at least dozen men say they
had voted against the ordinance and were
sorry for it and would vote to ratify it if
they had it to do over again. There was
general revulsion of feeling--a $500 re-
vulsion as it were and if the ordinance could
have been submitted last night it would
have carried. 1t was developed, in the
course of the day, that the most bare-fsced
misrepresentation had been resorted toin
accomplishing its defeat Many voters
knew nothing of the truth and readily be-
lieved the stories that were told them. Por
instance, Que man said he was told if these
bonds were issued. he would be taxed heav-
ily to redeem them, while the taxes would
be less, if the ordinance should be rejected.
Others believed the Board of Public Works
would get the money and squander 1t on
the streets. Some believed this and others
that, until it seemed that not half of those
Who voted knew what they were doing.
and, as stated, produced revulsiOn of feel
ing. The fact is, that if Council is COM
PEELED TO pay these orders, there must bean
increase of taxation, while no increase
would Re necessary to pay the bonds within
thirty years AS for the Board of Public
Works getting a cent of the 100000, that
IS the merest nonsense.
WHAT SHALL BE DONE
One thing that operated against the loan
was the low rate of interest and the pro-
iosed taxation of the bonds. Mr. Hiidreth,
Mr.. Peterson and other members of Coun-
ell said the bonds could not be
sold at that rate, and as their
remarks were printed, they were used to
defeat the ordinance In case a new one
is proposed, this feature must be attended
Co. There is talk of new ordinance, al
ready and information should be obtained
for the benefit of Council. The taxation
clause amounts to nothing, as 1t is a well
defined principle of law that the city can
rot tax her own issue. The fact OF the
matter was that after the first branch had
u amended the ordinance, it was railroaded
through the second without proper dehbera-
ion, simply to save time and prevent 1t
rom going up stairs again.
THE CITY CLERKS IDEA.
At tie Office of the City Clerk and Treas
grer the officials whose salaries depend on
ready money were looking little down in
he mouth, though taking very good matur-
,rily the badinage of visitors. City Clerk
lowers said the only solution Of the prob
lem that presented itself TO him at that time
was to lake the contingent fund from the
Beard Of Public Works and apply it to the
payment of police officers and the salaries
of other city officers. The contin-
gent fund amounts to about $4,000
annually and is composed Of the receipts
from the wharf Police Court, markets and
scales. By the rules of the Board it is
turned over to it and to capture it Council
would have to amend the ordinance. That
money might relieve the present tension but
it would be only temporary affair. The
streets and alleys must be cleaned and re-
Taired and besides this does not provide for
The payment of the outstanding orders.
The problem is how to pay off that debt, as
m.!cu as to provide ready money for the
city's depletedpune.
WHAT A COUNCILMAN SAYS.
Councilman W. F. Peterson, who was
one of the warmest advocates of the loan,
as met by the writer yesterday coming up
Market street with very disguised cast OF
Countenance He explained that he was
disgusted because of the ia ct that several
city employees, with their money depending
on it, had worked against the ordinance.
AS it is now," he said, 81 suppose they
will have to take orders and get them dis
counted.
What is the next thing?
II don't know what. The people who
opposed the ordinance will probably have
TO make it up in taxes to pay orders.
The Exchange Bank is getting per cent.
interest on them. and ] suppose can make
the city pay them BY mandamus, or else
sell off some city property"
Mr.. Peterson thought another ordinance
with a proper understanding, might go
through. He, too, had heard of many cases
of votes against the ordinance under mis-
apprehension of its object. However, he
deprecated the useless expense of $500 in
the election. Council and the Financial
Committee will now attack the question.