Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-14
AT LAST.


Holds a Star Chamber Session.
Yesterday morning, in the course of
somewhat animated conversation between
Mayor Grubb and a member of the police
force, it is alleged the frat named official
took occasion to express his d;sapproval of
the Sunday evening visit of Chief Smith
and his men to the poker parlors of Bob
Grant, on Water street, evidently thinking,
it is supposed, that the police should have
turned their attention to whites in the same
line of trade, but with more substantial
financial backing, and therefore
better able to stand the strain
upon their purses resulting from
the infiction of the penalties imposed by
the city ordinances against gaming, As
this alleged kick Of His Honor might
Undue some of our ret ders with the idea
that the colored brothers were picked out by
the police as subjects upon whom to exer-
else their authority, while larger games, run
by whites, were passed over, we hasten to
say that warrants were prepared for quite
number of folks, but, unfortunately, they
were not at home to respond to the calls of
the public guardians.
Not discouraged by this, however, Cap
tain Smith went on the end of his visiting
list; and as luck would have it, the last
man was Grant, and Grant was at home
entertaining his friends in his characteristic
way. We say this. in order to correct the
false impression said to be entertained by
His Honor, and to relieve his mind of the
idea that the Chief would pass ~ one den
OF the tiger to reach another proprietor who
might happen to be black-or poor.
But to go back to this conversation be-
tv cen the Mayor and the policemen. The
officer resented the idea that any partiality
was shown in making the raid, and sug-
gested, kindly but firmly, that if His Honor
would let the police force alone the
gambling evil would come to a sudden ter
mination. His Honor, it is said, doubted
this, one word brought on another, and
finally the Mayor, in closing, announced, in
italics, that he had determined to force the
fighting from that hour on, and directed that
the Committee on Elections be summoned
at once, and that, if the members failed to
respond, they be summoned every day dur
ing the remainder OF his term of Office, or
until they should have quorum.
The committee was accordingly sum-
moned for last night, and at s o'clock every
member was on hand, together with the
Mayor the Chief Of Police, and a spectator
or two The committee organized by elect
ng Mr. P. Z Farrall, chairman.
Mr. Harrell asked that the Mayors COM
munication be read, and when his request
had been complied with, the gentlem an
from North Wheeling asked as to the par
ticulsr portion of the document the Mayor
desired TO be acted upon.
Mr.. Gavin suggested that His Honor and
he Chief of Police be invited to make q
statement of the facts in the case, as they
appeared to them.
The Mayor declined to say anything
further, but Captain Smith availed himself
of The opportunity TO put himself on record
in contradiction OF the assertions contained
in the Mayors commul icstion, and ex-
rtsscd bis entire willingness to enforce the
jpw to ,he best of his abilities.
The officials and spectators were then ex-
c. lied from The room, and the committee
Arnt inlo executive session on the matter,
and Aben The doors we're reopeaed the
nemhers stalked ont and disappeared, de-
clinipg meanwhile, to shed any light on
what conclusion rad been arrived at.
Later however, it was learned that dis
position prevailed to pour oil on the
troubled waters, and that resolution had
been pa ched up, setting forth the great de-
sire of both the Chief and Mayor to do their
whole duty, and recommending that both
officers be commended for their anxiety to
enforce the laws and improve the morals of
tie city.
And right here, it might be pertinent to
remark on the pernicious practice OF hold
ing star chamber sessions Of Council Com
mittees. The public has q right to know,
absolutely and fully, of all business done or
conteu plated by Council, and we suggest
that the idea held by one or, two members
that such meetings should be private is one
looked upon with much suspicion and is
calculated to destroy that confidence and
harmony which should exist between mem
bers nd their constituents.