Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-25

Sal notice communication IN res
terday's REGIsTER signed by Michael Stein,
Commissioner of Washington district, in
which be takes position against the couu.
" purchasing and occupying the north half
Of the Capitol building for Court House
purposes. As member of the committee
from Council to negotiate with the County
Commissioners for the sale of half he Capt.
tol building for Court House, ! would Like
yon to indulge me with space enough to
answer some of Mr.. Stems erroneous state
meBte.
In answer to his FIRST question, where is
the money to come from 2 will state that
Il was understood between former COM
mitlee of the Bossd of Commissioners and
The committee of Council that the city
would accept the Coart House property mot
including the jaiD in payment of the price
agreed upon, viz $30, Geo, which wonld be
giving the county q cecided advantage in
The bargain and save making debt or in
crease of taxes for this purpose. The
architect has made an estimate Of the cost
of changing the north halt TO accommodate
the county for court rooms and all county
Offices and county law library, much better
than where they now are, at cost OF $l4,-
600. What Mr. Stein means by Inner
6xings" costing $4,000 is hard to guess,
as the architect includes all changes, vaults
for the two clerks and everything complete
ready to move in.
So far as it being but Q patchwork Of q
Court House costing when finished more
than $4,000" is absurd, both as to build
ing and cost. The real cost to the tax
payer would be but 1000, the amount as
shown by the architects estimate for
changes the city taking the old Court
House in exchange as contemplated by the
committees. As TO the patchwork OF a
Court House." it is hardly worth while to
notice. Every one who has any knowledge
ofthe building, knows it is well built, and
when changed according to the plans, will
be Just as perfect as If these were the
original plans, for there is not brick wall
disturbed. A new house could hardly be
planned better suited to the purpose.
"In answer to the question, What shall
be done with the jailT would say, let it
alone. 1t will be about as convenient to
the new location as it was for great num-
Der of years to the present Court House
when they had to take prisoners round the
square and in the Court House through the
front door.
Mr. Stien says our Court House is large
enough for the next thirty years, and we'll
fixed up. Now this may be his opinion,
but it is not the opinion of all the members
of the Board, for some members have ex-
pressed themselves in favor of new Court
House and Jail costing from 100000
to 100000, stating that the
county is wealthy and should pro
vide a fine building. If this ar
rangement for the county and city to occu-
py the capital jointly, which would certainly
be matter of great convenience to the
public, is not made, we will soon have a
proposition to build new Court House at
an extravsgant outlay to the taxpayers.
Itlooks like Mr.. Stein had misconceivei his
duties as Commissioner of Washington dis
trict, and also as chairman of the
committee of the board ap-
pointed to negotiate for the purchase, ETC..
by rushing into the newspapers misrepre-
senting the facts and trying to create pub.
lie sentiment against the very thing he was
delegated to do.
If vote of his district or the city was
taken he would find that four.ffths of the
people are favorable to the joint occupancy,
and if not contaminated during his present
term as Commissioner his successor will
likely vote for it. Respectfully,
P. B. DoBBINs.
Few Questions for Commissioner Stein
to Answer.
To the Editor ofhe Register:
SIR: Why does he assume to be chairman
of a committee before it has met or organ
ized2
Why does be, before the committee has a
conference, PREJUDICE what is to be brought
before them Tor Investigation and discus
sion?
Why does he put down $40 900 for inner
ixings" when he knows and was present
when the estimate was read, that $4,000
is the outside figure for alterations and re-
pairs, outside and inside the building?
What has q subscription, payable only
when the Coshocton and Wheeling railroad
is ready to run its cars over railroad
bridge into the city of Wheeling, to do with
the purchase of half Of the Capitol Build
ing2
Does it follow that the purchase of the
north half of the Capital building necess-
tates the building of new Jail?
Why does he ask the question, where is
the money to come from, when he knows
that all the money the county will be called
upon to expend will not exceed $4,000 or
$4,000, and this amount the Board can
carry without an appeal to the tax payers
Why does he say patch work of Court
House, ;" when he knows with the alterations
and repairs as shown on the plan submitted
by Architect Hamilton, the north half ofthe
Capital building will be as durable, commod.
ious and convenient for Court House and
all county officers as if a new building were
designed and erected at q cost of $4,000
Does be not know if the city buys the Court
House lot and buildings, (not the Jail, for
be forth half of the capitol building, which
costs the city over 1925. 900, that the county
is getting the better part Of the bargain2
Why does he oppose the wishes of the
'srgest taxpayers and ninety per cent Of the
voters in bis district?
A reply to the above queries will not only
throw additional light on the subject, but
will be considered favor to
TAXPAYERS.