Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-24
nE HATES wonK1xG MEN.
A Correspondents Idea of the Animus OF
an InteIligencsr EDITORIAL
Tstke Editor Of the Register.

exclusively to how city servants should be
selected; Couneilmen, especially, being the
theme of the editorial An extract of part
is as follows: 1T is a common scandal that
,asn are allowed to legislate for the city OF
Wheeling. to levy and expend its taxes,
who wouldn't be allowed behind any bust
S.ss MAu's counter or in his counting
room. Anybody is thought to be ft to s 81:
in council Fortunately there are some
good men in council, or the record of
blunders or general waste would be even
more discrediiable.' The aesthetic writer
of the Intelligencer editorial, according to
his own egotism, faunts his dictatiou to the
citizens with the expectation of being idol
lied, the Oscar Wilde of politics in Wheel
ing. He assumes to indicate to the people
who they should select for council at the
coming municipal election by his presump-
tuous assertion and utter disregard of com
mon decency. With the pretense OF his
imagination, beyond all doubt he con-
ceived the idea of informing the public that
there are men in the council that would
not be allowed be allowed behind any bust
ness mans counter or in his counting
room.
The learned editorial writer, it is pre-
sumed, alludes to those Of the council that
are woFkingmen; that they are ilhterate and
ignorant; that they have no character or
capability; they are not fit persons to be
allowed to levy or expend the people taxes,
as they would not be allowed behind any
business mans counter or in his counting
room. If the arrogant editorial writer has
made use of partial criticism on the present
council without discrimination II might
have been moderately received without
comment, but when the narrow and preju-
diced little critic mind is overloaded with
misty hatred and opposition towards the
artisan or workingman it puts another col
oring on the surface OF things. Then again,
YOU know there is no tariff question before
the people for awhile that the dear working
man would be called on to vote for. Then,
artisan or workman, you need no. apply
or attempt to intrude on the distinguished
and learned gentlemen that are to be sent
TO council by the influence OF the aesthetic
editorial critic of the Intelligencer.
The learned editorial writer, says: For
tunately there are some good men in the
Council. or the record of blunders and gen
eral waste would been even more discredt.
able" The editorial means it is supposed
those few good men to be professionals,
bankers and business men. These are the
lights the little editor refers TO that are
holding the city intact, or her record would
be an everlasting disgrace. Now what is
record of the above named good men?
Most assuredly they have an inyidious rec
r., - ;th Tho Rnor1 nF
Public Works is concerned, Some Of these
very good men were the real factors in
changing the city's charter four years ago.
They were the advocates Of retrenchment
and reform and are taking the controlling
power of part of the citys government out
5f workipgmen's hands (Such as Street Com
missioner and Superintendent Of Water
Works. and turning it over to Boards COM
posed OF anything but workingmen.
would ask the intelligent Intelligencer
editorial writer what retrenchment or re-
form has these good men accomplished or
what have they saved for the city in regard
to fnance2 What did these philanthropists
do or what do they intend TO do in redeem
ing the city's financial embarrassment?
What have these good men done in levying
and expanding the citizens taxes, when
they needed improvent done near or around
their business places or residences on the
wards they represent? Yes, they have
voted right along and without fail for all ap-
preparations when concerning their own in
terests.
What have these good men doEein giving
or offering economic laws TO Council for her
approval or rejection? They have given
nothing, nor did they ever offer anything of
their own formation or production.
The only thing accredited to those good
worthy men of the Intelligencer, is that
they succeeded in mastering enough votes
10 adopt the bungled up rules and reguls-
lions governing the Board Of Public Works.
Even in the adoption of the rules and reg
ulations they made one Of the most
serious blunders that was ever
made in any council in the city Of Wheel
ing. For instance, refer the reader to rule
four of the rules and regulations governing
the Board Of Public Works. This is the
very identical rule that has caused the inan-
cial embarrassment OF our city. 1t is also
the rule, if you mind, that has the members
of the Board of Public Works and Mayor
Miller throwing paving blocks at each other
through the daily press for the last week or
two. 1t is the rule that caused the defeat
of the loan OF two hundred thousand dollars
when submitted to the voters of this city for
heir ratification or rejection. Through the
action of these good men there is odium
and contempt cast by several of our citizens
On the members of the Board of Public
~. .;.oo .lo;- e., ~, zion tbat would not
be tolerated by those good men in council
if in the place Of those now comprising the
present board The abuse and reflection
heaped on the heads Of members OF the
BOARD for matters pertaining TO their official
duties in transacting the business Of the city
is entirely wrong. If the rules and regula-
lions for the government Of the Board had
not been adopted by Council, it is undoubt-
edIy true they would not adopt it themselves
nor would they elect themselves as members
Of the Board Therefore no blame should
est on the shoulders of the men comprising
the Board. But it should be heaped right
on the shoulders OF those good men Of the
intelligencer, who conceived and originated
the formation of Boards, and left no stone
unturned to have their scheme accomplish
ed. 1t is worthy of notice here that some Of
the language made use of in Council while
discussing the merit of the Board would be
quoted. One of the good men, however, be-
ing more enthusiastic than the other in favor
OF Boards, stated that ''one wJrkingman IN
der the supervision of the B. of P. W. would
perform as much work in one day as ten
men would do in one day under the Street
Commissioner" or, in other words, one
dollar expended by the Board Of Public
Works would be Of as much
use or benefit to the city, as ten dollars ex-
pended by the Street Com missioner. Ifthere
was as much virtue in the above language
as there was foolishness and ignorance the
city Of Wheeling would be in a good fnan-
cial standing to-day. would ask the learn
ed critic of the Intelligencer if he consider
ed such language as the above, coming
from the lips of any sane man. good sound