Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-24
the MAYORS MESSAGE,
Wherein He Calls the Attention of
the City Council
To Variety Of Things Needing the Atten'
ton of That Body, and Incidentally
Hands One to the Police.

ton of That Body, and incidentally
Hands One to the Police.
Carrying out a city ordinance which, in
late years, has been more honcred in the
breach than in The observance, His Honor
Mayor Grub last night submitted to Coun-
Gil his first annual message, wherein be
pointed out to the municipal law makers q
variety of things Of sufficient importance
in his estimation to engage their serious
and immediate attention.
Two paragraphs in the message will
strike the reader as being worthy OF con-
sidsratiou. One of these is the suggestion
that an ordinance be adopted prohibiting
depraved women from lettering in or about
SALOONS. 1t is we'll known fact that two
or three saloons have been transformed BY
the habitual presence Of women into
anything but what they should
be-, and the application Of remedy by
Council would do much to prevent dis
graceful and unlawful occurrences now
transporting almost nightly. The Mayor,
ho~eyer, undoubtedly does the police In
Justice when he blsmes them for having
permitted these vile dives" to grow and
tester under the eyes Of the department
and the nose of Council" The police have
been powerless in the matter, as His Homer
admits when he calls for prohibitory
ordinance.
The second important suggestion is in
regard to thu dumping of night soil and re-
fuse in the river at the foot of Forty-eighth
street. This is an evil against which the
people of Benwood and Bellsire have been
crying out for years, and Council should, as
specify as possible. find and apply an
adequate remedy.
Below We print the message in full:
THE MESSAGE.
To the Honorable CouncH ofthe City Of
Wheeling:
. GENTLEMEN: According to the require
ments Of law and custom, it is incumbent
on the Mayor to annually submit COM
munication to this honorable body in rela-
ton to The interests of the city generally,
and making such recommendations touch
ing the management OF its Offices for the
current year, as he may deem best for the
public good. Considering the very limit
ed power vested in the Mayor to direct the
affairs Of the city, the law is an absurd
one, and should De repealed, he having
neither the influence or authority Of some
of your clerks of departments.
believe the law should be so amended
es to make the Mayor the official head Of
the city government He should be vested
with
VETO POWER,
and should be held responsible for the con-
duct of every department. Loaded with
this responsibility, he must Of necessity be
conservative, and National politics would
have no place in matters Of mere munich
pal concern II the administration is bad,
the people know where to place the blame
ard where to find the remedy.
desire to call Jour attention TO q
shameful and iuhuman practice that has
been permitted to continue for years: the
throwing of niehtsoil in the river at Forty.
eighth street, and this notwithstanding the
earnest protests of the people of Bsnwood
and Bsllaire. firmly believe that much
of the mortality in these places can be
traced to this cause. Either cremstory
should be erected, or o boat used to carry
the matter below these points, Perhaps a
mutual arrangement could be mnds to
share the expense by those interested
The welfare of our people should 10! be
neglected in the matter Of The sewerage OF
the First wsrd-in it the Hospital. 1t is
above the water works, and much of it
must necessarily enter the reservoir.
1t has been my duty on several occasions
to call your attention TO the inefhciency OF
the Police Department. and to prove it /
might Geluge your ears with recital Of
the growing moral rottenness Of this com.
mupity, OF
THE VILE DIVES
that have been permitted to
grow and tester under the
eyes OF the police, even under the nose Of
this Council, which has in.the past shown
bat little desire to atop it,
An ordinance should 6e adopted to pro-
hibit women ofthe town congregsling in
or about the saloons,
An ordinance in conformity with State
laws should be made, compelling tie de.
struc;ion Of gambling implements when
captured by the Police,
an ordinance should also be adopted
prohibiting the sale Of Intoxicating liquors
to minors
The establishment Of q reform sabool
hsg become Necessity, as the too frequent
appearance Of children 10 the courts bears
witness
In granting licenses to keep ordinsries
sud coffee houses. too little attention lie
pad TO the character Of the place or the
character o! the persons interested The
law is plain on the subject, and should ap-
Plg to tbs silent partner as well as the ap-
plieanS.
TIE ordinance book is flled With laws
that have been made for individual cases,
and in many Instances they conflict, not
only with each other, but the State laws az
well. A thorough revision should be
made.
This new Fire aud Police Board having
employed clerk 10 perform the duties for. !
.4erly done by tbs clerk OF the COM mittees,
renders useless the further continuance Of
the latter. would suggest that the office
be abolished.
Disclaimiug any desire to dictate TO this
Council. | make these suggestions because
it is the law, aud l believe they are t. the |,
interest Of tAis community.
Very respectfully.
JACOB W. GRUBB.
Mayor.
ACTION TAKEN.
Mr.. Pickett moved that The message be