Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-01
Council Spends Two Hours In Tell
ing an 0ff.Told Tale.
The Routine Proceedings Of Last Nights
Session---Todd Confrmed---hc-
GregOr's Resolution.
Francis Murphy Again to the FrOnt---Arbor
Day---The Confirmation Of Pear
son---The News of the City
in General.

the star artists in the performance being
MsssIs Harrell, Sweeney, Hildreth, Hearne
and Caldwell. The row was over the read
ing for amendment of the ordinance for the
keeping of the disbursements of the city
within the limits of the revenues, and was
precipitated by Mr.. Hearne offering an
amendment at the end of Section 4. But
to begin at the beginning
The ordinance having been read by the
Clerk for information, the blank in Section
2-the date upon which the Mayor shall
call the various Boards and Committees to-
gether for the preparation of annual esti-
mates-was filled with April 10Th.
In section 8, the date D which Coun-
ell is required 10 meet to hear the reports
prepared in accordance with section 2,
was changed to the fourth Tuesday in
April. A proviso was also inserted in this
section, allowing the Committee On Water
Works to proceed with the making Of its
annual estimate in case the Water Board
should refuse to act with il.
When section four had been read Mr.,
Hearue moved to add at the end of the last
line the following: Provided, That moth.
ing in this section or ordinance contained
shall be construed as authorizing, directing
or compelling the trustees Of the gas works
or Board of Water Commissioners to pay
into the general treasury Of the city the rev
/ enues Of such Board or trustees.
This started the fun, and brought Mr..
Harrell to his feet, in favor of the resolution.
He started with the remark that the city
had been playing at this same game ever
since it had been q city. 1t reminded him
of the old story of the two Irishmen. One
of them said: Pat, I'm in favor of 8
general divide; | want everything put in
one pile, and then whscked up" But
that would do you no good" said his COM
panion. You would soon spend your
share-somebody else would get il" That's
all right" was the reply; then we would
wbsck up again" That was the way here.
Council went TO work and screened real
estate from bearing its just proportion
of taxation, and then, to even up
matters. it took it out on the poor water and
gas consumer, making them not only pay 70
the support of TIE works, but also 10 help
pay for the maintenance of the streets and
alleys. II was downright robbery OF the
poor man for the benefit Of the rich.
Mr.. Sweeney called Mr. Hildreth to the
chair and took the floor to combat the
amendment. He said that Nowhere in the
United States was gas so cheap as in Wheel
ing, and as to water, why, right across the
river, in Martins Ferry, water was twenty
FIVE cents a barrel. The poor man gets
value received for every dollar he
pays for water and gas. | have heard
100 much OF this poppycock about
rtbbely. What right has tn
city to go into the gas business and furnish
gas to a few people at cost. We might as
well open a real estate agency and furnish
every mar a lot, or start a graveyard and
give everybody a hole in the ground. l re-
peat that the gas consumer gets value re-
ceived.'
Mr.. Harrell-Now, right there you give
Yourself away. Laughter.
Mr.. Sweeney-AU right.
Mr.. Harrell-You claim the gas con.
sumner gets value received. Why, he not
only pays for the gas he uses, but he pays
for the gas We are burning here and on the
streets.
Mr.. Sweeney-I didn't allow YOU to in
terrupt me to make speech.
Mr. Harrell-Then I'll wait till you get
through. Laughter
Mr.. SSeeuey-Alljright.
Mr.. Sweeney then continued his remarks,
saying the ordinance in its original shape
was good enough. The measure proposed
by Mr.. Hearne was a gag. All the people
wanted was for Council to assure them that
t's expenses would be kept within the reve-
nues. and that Council would do
Al It'll - kall IL .o,Nlo
nan down to his statements. He wants
the city to make a big profit on gas. If you
owned the gas works, wouldn't you be satisfied
10 take as a profit the sum represented By
the gas the city burns and the cost Of light.
ing the oil lamps?
Mr.. Gruse-Csn Interrupt you?
Mr.. Harrell-lou can do anything you
want.
Mr.. Gruse-Suppose the gas works should
ne destroyed BY fire. Who would rebuild
hem
Mr.. HsIrell-You are only helping me
out. What constitutes the most expensive
portions of the works? The miles of mains
and bur dreds Of posts, or the few old tanks
on he creek bsnk2 By my plan of keeping
the surplus revenues of the works for the
benefit Of the consumers, there would a.
ways be a sum on hand which could be used
in case Of fire.
After this wrangle had continued for some
time Mr.. Caldwell secured the floor, and
commenced his remarks by saying, in sub.
stance, that the city had to raise a certain
amount Of money each year, and he knew
no better place to go for it than to the gas
and water works.
Mr.. Harrell-AlloE me TO interrupt
you?
Mr.. Caldwell-All right. That seems to
be your forte; go ahead. Laughter
Mr.. Harrell excitedlY-Oh, I'm going to
fight this thing into Rome or Egypt.
Mr.. Caldwell-Im neither Rome or
Egypt. Laughter
Mr.. Harrell-I want to show you how the
city can pay a debt.
Mr.. Caldwell-Oh, | guess YOU will have
10 make your speech after I'm done.
Mr.. Harrell-Iou gave me- permits
sion
Mr.. Caldwel-Yes, but not to make q
speech.
Mr.. Harrell-I merely wanted to show
you how could pay a city debt.
Mr.. Caldwell-That is an argument.
Mr.. Caldwell then continued his remarks,
protesting against locking up the water and
gas surplus and thus laying additional
burdens upon the people. He made the
point that the gas works were not run for
the benefit Of any particular class, but for
all the inhabitants of the city. When the
city took hold Of the gas works gas vas
s. so a thCu'and tett; now it is ninety
cents. That was the great benefit the city
had conferred upon the gas consumers BY
her taking hold OF the works, aud yet these
gas consumers come here with the cry that
the city has not yet done enough for them.
He thought the gas burners ought TO be
content with having the cheapest gas in the
United States.
Mr.. Harrell-The gentleman has made q