The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-06-25
A cITlzGN,s SAY.
Some Matters for City Council to Weigh
Thoroughly. g

some Matters for City Council TO Weigh
Thoroughly.
10 he Editor Of tss IatslliCaeH.
stR:-Before the Loan ordinance was
submitted to the voters Of the city for their
ratification or rejection there was charge
Of grave importance preferred against the
Board Of Public Works by the Emmertt
brothers, in reference TO the conduct of
the Board in giving the contract for laying
curbing to higher bidder than they.
The Second Branch Of Council acted on
the charge, but whenit reached the First
Branch it was laid on the table, as they in
their wisdom concluded not to interfere or
tamper with the business OF the Board.
Suppose for an instant that some Of our
fair minded citizens had felt disposed to
make an issue OF the conduct OF the Board
OF Public Works, in refusing to give con.
tracts to the lowest and best bidder, and
the action OF the First Branch OF Council
in refusing TO investigate the charge or
give the taxpayers any fniormationin this
business, the Loan ordinance would have
met the same fate Il did twice before. The
Board Of Public Works in reply ing 70 those
charges, through the Clerk, quoted 8 good
deal Of the ordinance governing the Board
in regard to rejecting any and all bids, but
the Clerk did not inform the taxpayers
how it was the highest bidder got the con-
tract. This Is the point; the citizens re-
quire its solution. They have read and
heard OF the ordinance often enough to be
acquainted with 1t.
The citizens and Taxpayers OF this city
demand OF the First Branch OF Council q
thorough investigation Of those charges.
II the learned experts that constitute the
Financial Committee OF Council directed
their minds towards these Boards and
commenced to retrench there, instead OF
coming down on the firemen with one fell
swoop, the public might have thought
they were worthy OF the hearty approba-
ton OF Republicans and Democrats alike.
What sayyou, City Councilman !? Wouldn't
1t be wise legislation to takethis retrench-
ment business out OF the hands OF the III
nance Committee and have tussle with 1t
yourselves? Commence with those who
have two or three positions in and about
those Boards and Council, and parcel
them out TO those who have no position OF
any kind. These are hard times, and by q
proper distribution Of offices some Of the
needy might be helped.
There Is another matter that seriously
demands the attention Of Council, and
that is that the City Council elected a
City Solicitor for the purpose OF defend
ing the legal interests Of the city, and is
paying him stipulated salary for his
services, while tits fully understood that
the Board Of Public Works does not. ask
for the advice OF the City Solicitor in any
thing pertaining to the duties Of the
Board. Will the City Council tolerate
the idea OF each board having their own
attorney? Its presumed that lawyers
will not give their legal advice gratis.
Councilman, You are sworn officers Of this
city. Throw of your Indifference. Do not
becontrolled by political motives. Watch
all matters coming before Council and do
not betray the trust imposed upon you.
1Vb,ri;nc Ltne24