Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-08-21
4 CARD.
Reply of Chas. w. Brockunier and Nelson
Whitaker to Messrs. Sweeney and Cald-

Whitaker to Messrs. Sweeney and Cald-
well.
To the Editor Of ttC Register:
SIR-We believe that Mr.. Sweeney is
quite right in his manifest conclusion that
public sentiment has not approved his ac-
tiOn and position i'll the matter concerning
which he published his card of the 18th, it
being very evident to the most ObtuSe mind
that the public generally desire and will
insist upon fair play and fair hearing,
and are unwilling to have one side only
heard and the material interests and pros
perity of the city made secondary 10 the
cramped ideas and notions Of few, who,
to say the least, occupy a doubtful position.
As to his regrets that objection was made
to hearing manufacturers of Wheeling, We
are compelled by his action to have an
opinion to the contrary. We know that
he was informed by Il member of Council,
at an earlier hour of the evening than Mr.
Jaeger's proposition to receive and hear
MeSSrS Finn, Whitaker and Brockunier,
that these gentlemen were present and
anxious to be heard. Yet he gave no init
nation that he had such knowledge, and
when they were announced to the meeting
FASTENED to shut down and suppress them
as promptly as possible under the thin
pretext of parliamentary rule. Had
it been Captain Batchelor-a gentleman
whose personal effort or investment had
never advanced the interests of this city,
who wished to address Council, we are
sure that he would have had Mr.. Swccncy'S
prompt and favorable attention with plen-
ty Of handShaking, ObSequiouS bows, and
no thoughts about parliamentary usage.
But here were gentlemen of the other side,
anxious especially for the prosperity Of the
Wheeling plants, the business OF the city,
and the full and profitable employment OF
labor; and the parliamentary screws were
put upon them with quick and vigorous
evactnoss. As 10 his ''uSlng his best
efforts to have us heard" he means, of
course, not before Council, but after adj
iournmcnt, without understanding that,
after the treatment we had received, such
a proposition could only appear TO us in
the light of a grave insult, and an unman-
ly growing over his partisan victory.
His remarks on pressure are Il rchaSh 0l
his recent speech, made as volunteer
member of the committee which visited
Pittsburg, when he used his position with
such manifest uniairncSS that members
piled him with questions, and finally ad-
iourned without action, because they were
unwilling to vote on :hc subject without
further information.
We are also compelled TO notice Mr.. &.
B. Caldwells card of the 10Th, in reference
to his statement that committee Of
Council reported in favor OF pressure Of
fifteen pounds. Such is not the case; the
committee reported blank pounds. This
gentleman excuse of II hot summer
night" is, evidently, an aiterthought, for
he stated Just before Council was called to
order, that he 'intendcd to prevent an APP
pcarancc before Council, by moving the
previous question. And u day later, he
said that not one Of us should he heard
by Council, if he could prevent it.
II this is not opposition to 4 fair prcSenta-
ton of the interests OF manufacturers as far
AS we represent them, we do not under
stand what it is. Mr.. Sweeney is director
of the West Virginia Gas Company and
Mr.. Caldwell is senior member of the firm
of Caldwell x Caldwell, the junior MEM
Der of which is solicitor of the same gas
company and member Of the First Branch
of Council. How such gentlemen can OPP
posc the interests of the Manufacturers
Gas Company as Councilmen, and not i'll
the CAPACITIES above indicated, we fail to
perceive. We also think that their diSln-
tercstedness in matters 80 directly concern
ING them must bc thing OF such nice
mental and moral adjustment aS to puz-
zle the largest exercise of their powers. 1t
must be plainly evident to the citizens OF
Wheeling that the only object we had in
addressing Council was the obtaining of
such action rs would enable the mills and
factories of Wheeling to 80 on without
stoppages during the coming fall and
winter. The only pipe ohtainable for the
gas line is smaller than we wish could have
been laid, and we are naturally fearful of
a short supply, which will newt
ably bring disaster to factories
and workmen. We have no
wish for dangerous pressure and would OPP
pose such rs strenuously rs any citizen of
Wheeling could do. What we want is
only that which has been proven in other
cities safe and necessary.
CHAS. w. BROCKUNIER.
NELSON WHITAKER.