Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-02
GENTLE REMINDERS
The Citizens Meeting Finishes the Work OF
Suggestions on City Financial
Management and AdiOurns
Sine Die.

10 consider the nnanclai bituhuOn Vi Slio
city and recommend to Council the course
it should pursue, last night completed its
labors and adjourned without day. The
meeting was much larger than any previous
" held and was proportionately interesting.
As before, Mr.. NJ. Reilly presided and Mr..
Ed. LarKin acted as Secretary. The report
Of the special committee, presented at the
last meeting, was read and the meeting was
ready fer business.
Col. Thomas O'Brien threw the first
shell into the meeting, in the shape OF
suggestion. he said the first thing to be
done, to get at the bottom of the present
trouble, was to take from Council, Its
power of electing all officers, and thus de-
prive it of that feature. By so doing, We
would get a Council that would severely
audit all bills, and would avoid trouble in
future. Let the people elect all officers,
and let them understand that hereafter
Council could create no debt of $4,000
or 100000, without the consent Of the
people. The constitution forbade it, yet 1t
had occurred sgain and again, and he was
satisfied the people would reject all loans
until something of the kind was done. He
submitted the following resolutions
Resolved, That the Council Committee
on Legislation be requested to obtain such
legislation as will make it forever impossi-
bic for any officer, board or Council to ere
ate any debt, without having first submitted
he same TO vote Of the people.
Resolved, That the Council Committee
on Legislation is hereby requested to obtain
| an amendment to The charter of the city
proviGiug for the election OF all city'ofiictrs
| by the direct vote Of the people.
Mr.. Egerter made speech, intending, as
he said. 10 show that instead of beingin such
a terrible condition. the city was really vel
Of. He pointed to the assets Of the city, in
he shape of public works. and compared
he present financial condition most tavora-
| DIV with that Of 1856.
DR.. T. H. Logan offered the following
series ofresolutions:
Resolved, That the proposition Of the
committee to fund the floating debt Of the
CITY. and consolidate Herewith the unpaid
| balances of the Public Building Loan, and
he loan of 1871, be approved; also, the
tatements and suggestions Of the report in
gard 10 the causes and remedy for the ex-
sting financial embarrassment of TIE city.
Resolved That while not prepared to en-
| oIse the recommendation of the commit
ZEE in regard to proposed amendments to
rule /, this meeting is clearly oil the oopin'
on that no proposition to create new loan
nill be approved by our citizens unless some
measures are adopted BY Council or By
4mendment to the city charter which will
i've reasonable assurance that there will De
no recurrence, in the future, of the inconsid-
...a:a policy which has caused the existing
financial difficulties.
Resolved, That the report, with these
! resolutions be respectfully submitted for tie
consideration Of the City Council.
President Hildreth, Of th5 Council, made
! An appeal in behnil: of the Water and Gas
Boards exhGrtiDg against depriving them
J q their revenues. He stood solidly by the
Board of Public Works, and proudly said he
VAS the father OF the Board system. This
led to a lively little tilt between him aud
! Col. O Brien in regard to the brick paving
of Sixteenth street. The latter held it to be
he most wanton piece Of legislation 10 tear
ID such q street as Sixteenth was to put
Iown brick street Mr.. HiIdreth said the
| people wanted the street, and had paid for
,art Of it, and Mr.. Acker popped up and
aid it was q good street and they were
proud Off
Mr.. Hildreih went on to say the best plan
was 10 raise the rate OF taxation, which
would give US all the money we wanted. But
bis was Indignantly opposed by property
holders, Messrs. Paxton and Lsrkin being
oremost, while DR. Hazlett said it would
hive manufacturers and capital from the
| ity A discussion was had between Messrs
iIildreth and Paxton Of the tax rates OF
Wheeling as compared with other cities. the
former claiming Wheeling was lower and
he latter higher than other places. But it
resulted in nothing, j. ID, Ewing also
favored % ipcreaee Of taxation.
! Then there was talk and talk and then
more talk, all very interesting, and finally
he question was called on Dr. Logsn's reso-
iutions. Mr.. Hildreth opposed them be.
cause they included the scheme to draw
on the gas and water boards, but they wen:
through with whoop. Col o Brien's res.
| olution was also adopted and the secretary
was instructed TO transmit the report and
resolutions 10 Council. The meeting then
adjourned.