Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-06-14
PLAIN TALK


PLAIN TALK
On the Subject OF the Police and Fir,
Board Clerkship.
ID the Ediior Of the Reoister:
SIR-"Veritas," in bis article in Friday
lntelligencer asserts that language mus
be understood according to the NANTES
intention of the person using it. The al
tempt of the editor OF Hattie SCOTS per
sonsl organ at sarcasm in the squib il
which Mr.. Frank Cruise is dubbed "Mr
Goose" can by this rule be understood a
intended to vent the editors spleen at tha,
gentleman for being q foreigner incapable
Of understanding the English lang susge. II
is cropping out Of the spirit which actu
ated the Republicans in passing an ordi
nance which disfranchises Mr.. Gruse't
countrymen for no other reason than their
inability TO read and write English. Mr..
Cruise can understand that from this time
on he is dishked by all Republicans for bis
honest effort to have plain provision oil
the rules governing the Fire Department,
enforced according TO the manifest inten
ton Of Council when adopting them.
Section OF the ordinance creating the
Fire Department deiues who shall con-
stitute the department. Rule . reads
that no member of Council
shall be eligible for oflice or position in
the Department Is the clerkship OF the
Department position II it 10 not, will
some Republican who can read and write
English" say what it is2 The duties oi
the position are defined in the rules; the
Clerk is termed an employe, ard his salary
is fixed by Council; but in order to accom-
plish purpose, the Republicans now claim
that Mr.. Stanley occupies neither an office
or position in the Department. II The does
not, what is he2 what is he paid for2 The
intention Of the rules was evidently to pre-.
vent member of Council using his posi-,
ton for his own sgersndizement Thus
the history OF the p. Il f. ordinance shows
the wisdom Of this rule if it were properly
enforced. The Republicans, thinking they
had control Of the employees OF the Gas
Works. were anxious TO pass this ordinance
to give them control of the Police and
Fire Departments, ard make them aids to
their schemes in the coming fall elections.
To secure the passing Of tho ordinance
in the Second Branch, where
there was Democratic majority,
1t was necessary to secure few Demo,
cratic votes. This was done and the next
morning after the passage OF the ordinance
the party organ announced it as famous
Republican victory. Not non.psrissp
triumph of law and order over aissule 10
our city affairs, but 2 patty victory. Mr..
Shanlev's ;o.s made the necessary major.
ity TO pass the measure. When the time
came to select clerk every Republican in
Council voted for him. although there wee
other perGona aawsd Tor the place, at far
less salary than the one Mr.. S. asked for
his services. Some OF these persons were
by loBs experience, well qualified Tor the
position, but With the Republicans it was
Mr. S. or no one. In fixing his salary be
spoke ard voted aghinst any less sum than
$r20 per year Would hot this conduct Of
his show the wisdom OF rule 3, prohibiting
q member of Councils appointment to q
a position In the depastn su;2 Are his
qualifications 40 much superior to all Of
his competitors, as to justify his Republ'
can friends in paying him higher salary
than is paid other employees Of the city who
perform four times as much service as be
Is this one OF the reforms promised to
be brought about by 10 passage Of this
0r was the whole ordinance in.
tended as political measure TO benefit the
Republican partyH
The disiranchised Germans and saloon
keepers do not believe that any reforms
were interds.11 other than preventing them
being presented as candidates for certain
offices. Many persons who can read and
writs English have concluded that the re.
forms promised are never to be brought
about by the Board. Has there bean any
effort made TO root ont the evils
10 our midst2 Has this Republican
Board and its Republican clerk, with
the aid and advice Of our Republican
Mayor, done anything practical in enforc.
ing our Sunday liquor crdinance' Two
weeks ago On order was published by Capt
Smith ordering all saloops Ia he kept
closed the next Sabbath day, and it was
well observed. Last Sabbath the
old order Of things was again on top and
drunken men were as plenty as ever.
Had the Board foGnd the order Of
the Sergeant unpopular and sup
pressed it1 Has the knowledge Of
Hattie Scott & Co.'S places Of business. ae.
CURED by the Mayor during the invcstiga.
lion last winter, been forgotten, that these
places are permitted to carry on their 10.
!srnal business in the heart Of ou- city to
the destruction Of numbers Of women and
girls, to greater extent than existed be.
fore the Board vas created? II these fe
males are under the imprett;nn tkst they
are still under the protection Of the editor
of their organ, the Board should undeceiyt
them.
Does not our Republican Mayor know
Of Sunday drinking and nightly gambling
90 near his place OF business that he could
almost touch these places with his oct
stretched hands; and has he urged this re.
form Republican Board to 90 its dutyf
Reform! Non.partissn board Stuff
Republican, party no more, no less.
The opponents Of the p q F. ordinance
are not afraid to await the decision Of the
Circuit Court. The fear is on the part oI
Hart 4 Co. It is only his experience
,.ast year With the Supreme Cour'
which keeps him in checl
now. Had be not found the Punishment
inflicted for bis meddlesoms impertinsncs
expensive and his childish act begging
pennies to pay bis fee farce, be would be
fore this have given Judge Jacob 9 lee
ture for daring TO give the petition o
Messrs. Sheppard & Co, hearing, ant
have ordered him 10 dismiss il unde
threat Of his eternal emnity and that Of hi
party. It is but an set Of good citizenship
TO quietly wait for the Court TO decide th
questions brought forward in the pstitio.
presented TO il, aai after the decision
made TO subnit to whatever il may be-
The record made BY the Democrats i
Council in their opposition 70 he efain
auce and the sppointrsept sfa member Z
Council TO the clerkslip 10 one OF wbic
ttey have noreason to be ashamed. Tin
I'D shou theiy course IN hava heen IN