The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-02-01
POLICE AND EIRE BOARD
Must be Wiped OFF the Face Of
the Earth at Once
AFTER REDUCING SALARIES
So Says the Democratic caucus-No
Nominations Made Yet, Owing
TO Absence of Members, but
win DO Monday Night.

on Twelfth street last night, Perhaps
the word ANNOUNCED" in this counec-
ton is misleading, fit was not so an
nounced, however, It was at least so
understood,
Did they caucusP
This Is q debatable question. They
met. At least, most Of them met, Ac.
counts differ as to how many were alb
sent, DR., Campbell was not there; 1t
was explained that he had been called
out Of town by the illness of member
Of his family, Mr., Pollock was not
there; 1t was said he was out OF town.
Patsy Gavin was not on hand; 1t was
explained that he "could not well be
there" but wanted to be present sure
when they made nominations,
There was u statement made once or
TWICE in the progress OF the meeting
that four members were absent. Whether
this was true cannot be said here.
When the former conference" was
held, the story was given out that Il was
not intended to DO nominating caucus.
| This is not d frank statement OF the real
state OF the case. It was the full inten'
ton to make the nominations for all the
offices at that meeting, but one member
was absent, and tho nominations were
deferred till "another time" What
other time was not speCitied, but some
how several members got an idea into
their heads that there was to be eau
Gus Wednesday night. So they went to
the rendezvous that night, only to find
it "like a banquet hall deserted"
Last night Mr.. Cruise presided. This
did not, however, prevent his talking
little more than any member on the
floor. Presumably Mr.. HadliCh acted Us
secretary, though this is only presump'
ton, as his voice was not raised often
enough to enable the people passing on
Twelfth street to recognize 1t. The SAME
remark does not apply to some members
A reporter sitting on the curbstone In
front OF the Franklin Insurance build
ing, where the meeting was held with
"closed DOORS" had no difficulty in dis
tinguishing the soprano notes OF Chair
man Cruise, the baritone Of Mr.. Seeley,
the North Street treble OF Mr., Wilson,
the fnlsetto Of Mr.. Miller, the tenor OF Mr..
Terrell, the Virginia basso OF Mr.. Harrell,
the Mayors Fifth ward patois or the
manly chest tones Of Mr.. dillingham;.
The ball opened with some discussion
OF the recommendation OF the Commit
tee on Salaries. There was differ
enCe Of opinion us to the wisdom OF cut
ting down so generally or so decidedly,
but finally 1t was decided that "our
glorious victory" was owing TO the peo.
pies desire for reform, and only sweep.
ing reform would fill the bill. It was
concluded without formal expression to
that effect that reform must 90 the
watChword, and that the Salary Com.
mittee had done the proper thing in
hewing to the line.
II there was any difference OF opinion
about the next subject introduced, 1t was
rather unObtrusive. This was the Police
and Fire Board.
1t was the general opinion that this
Board must go.
It was entirely apparent that in the
minds OF majority OF the members
present, the abolition OF this odious
creation OF the last Council was para
mount in importance TO any other "ro-
FORM" This subject came up at every
turn, and several times on a straight
stretch OF road. There was an impress
sion that the meeting was called only to
wipe the Fire and Police Board Off the
face OF the earth, and this impression
bobbed up serenely shortly after being
knocked down each time.
1t was decided after some discussion
Of a Charactery very entertaining to a
man up tree, not to nominate officers
at this meeting. This was In Difference
to the absent members, but particularly
to Messrs. Gavin and Campbell, for
whom Mr.. seeley stood up Just as man.
fully as II the former had not repudiated
him ut the last meeting Of Council,
This subject came up, after the matter
OF cutting down the salaries and abolish.
ing the Board Of Police and Fire Com.
missioners had been apparently disposed
Of several times, on the suggestion OF
Mr.. Ferrell, who said, in comment upon
a reference to the framing OF the new
salaries ordinance by the City Solicitor
In time for this evenings special meet
ing OF Council:
aMr. Chairman, is 1t entirely necessary
that the City Solicitor should be In
trusted with the drafting Of this ordin-
anceP II so, why soP Why should we
not select some-some friend OF our own
who shall be entrusted with the draw
ing up OF the measured"
Chairman Gruse-"I would suggest
that Il would DO well for the Committee
on Salaries 10 see that the action ofthat
committee reaches tho City Solicitor In
the proper form. II would he well, also,
for the clerk to retain a reliable copy Of
the measures recommended by the com.
mittee, for comparison. We do not
want any-hm-nistakes in this mat
MIR. seeley-"would II not be better
to have another lawyer draw up this or
dinance2"
Mr. Harrell-"I move you, sir, that
we 20 into an election To choose q City
Solicitor, and that our choice for soliCi.
tor DO entrusted with the preparation Of
the ordinance on salaries"
Mr.. Wilson-"Why not nominate all
the officers to.night7 ] move we go into
tho nomination for all tho positions al
once, II any member Is absent 1t Is not
our fault"
Mr., Gruse-"It Is already II O'Clock"
Mr., Seeley-"We RETAINED from max.
ing nominations the other night because
one man was absent. Now there are
four"
Finally II was resolved to adjourn 10
meet next Monday night for the pur.
pose OF nominating officers, and that all
not present be notified, andi any mem.
Der was absent, nominations would DO
made Just tho same.
The Secretary wanted To know how
he should notify the absentees.
Mr. SeCley said he would undertake 10
notify Dr.. Campbell and Mr.. Gavin, aud
Mr.. Ellingham undertook 10 inform Mr..
Pollock.
nanCS7n
Nj, Milicr-tYes; II Is important 10
get rid Of that Police Board.n
Several msmbera-"Thats not what
we're talking about It's the salary or.
0 Ths CIhnir.-tYes, Tho salarv ordinance