Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-03-13

THE MAYORS BESSAGE
Submitted to Council Last Night and
Ordered Filed.

Submitted to Council Last Night, anu
Ordered Filed.
Mayor @. W. Seabrieht submitted his
arnual message to Council last evening,
snd thedocument was read in the Second
Branch and ordered filed. The various
matters in it contained will be-referred to
the several departments mentioned.
Following is the message in full:
To the Council Of the Cdyof Wheeling
GENTLEMEN compliance with Sec.
D Of an ordinance entitled ''an ordinance
In relation to the Mayer Of the City OF
wheeling" l DO hereby submit the fol-
lowing communication, and trust that
your honorable body will earnestly con
slider the various suggestions end take
such action las You may deem necessary.
CITY FINANCES.
TIE taxpayers may congratulate them
selves that the city's credit has been main
tanned at home aud abroad, yet the tinan-
cial eystem Of the city government is
hardly In such such shape IS a good bust
ness msn would adopt in his own affairs.
You should fully consider if il could not
be arranged so that the various city depart
ments would maintain a common treasury,
vet not in, ertering With the appropriations
Ok the funds Of the said departments. In
this manner thousands Of dollars would be
saved 10 the taxpayers yearly. Under the
present syotem one department may have
q lsr-e surplus upon which but per cent.
interest is received, whilst other depart
msuts are paying 6 pes cent. on outstand-
ing orders.
THE CITY wATEI BOARD.
Tnis valuable department has been adj
mirably managed, aud Is now making sN-
tensive improvements in the water system
OF cur city, which, when completed, will
be d source OF pride TO our city, and Will
supply all portions of the city with water,
abundant in quantity and good in quality.
TIE CITY GAS WORKS.
This department. mas also been ably
handled. Many Improvements rave been
inside, yet if cur community desires to
keep abreast with TIE spirit and progress
of the present day, different system Of
street lighting Should be adopted.
Almost every small town of a
few thousand Inhabitants has its
electric Light plant, and why should We
not DO likewise This department has
a cash surplus sufficient, / believe, to
erect an electric plant of sufficient power
to furnish light for our cts and all the
buildings used for city purposes
hoard OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Board mas made many substantial
improvements in the city; yet from all
quarters cur people ore clamoriug for
street paving, sewerage, curbirg, etc.
Care should be taken to make sppropTia-
tons thai are fair 10 all sections OF our
cits. desire 90 call your especial atten-
ton TO the growing demand Tor the
erection of q substantial stone bridge on
Main street over Wheeling creek. The
present temporary structure is entirely in
adequate 20 the necessities, and is liable to
he taken away by the first freshct. You
should consider ana submit IA loan CTdi-
nance to the people without delay in order
that bridge may be erected during the
coming summer
FIRE AND POLICE BOARD.
This department has been well handled,
especially a. regards TIE fire department
All bills have been carefully audited by
the Board and reported to your honorable
body. During the past year, however, this
Board failed 20 DO iis duty a. regards the
increase OF members Of the police force.
Council passed an order Increasing the
force, which this Board saw fit to ignore;
hence we still have but nineteen men to
protect the lives and property OF about
40 coo inhabitants will, therefore, re-
new my recommendation Of laat year, and
suggest that you increase the police force
by adding sixteen men TO the present force,
two of whom should he detailed for detec-
tive service. Allowing one man for each
ward for day duty, would leave three men
in each ward for night duty, aud one man
at headquarters. This force would be less
than one officer to each thousand inbabit-
ants, which, as We all XII ow, slittle enough.
[ will also renew my recommendation of
last year 50 regards patrol wagon, which
was sat down upon by the Police Board.
Should Council act upon this suggestion,
it could avoid the disgraceful scenes that
are often witnessed upon our streets, such
as the dragging along or bauling upon a
wheelbarrow of drunken men and women
on they way TO the lookup, using language
so foul that it VIII not bear repetition. To
all this your wives snd children, who hap
pen to be upon the street, are obliged TO
submit.
would especially commend this Coun-
Gil for its careful and intelligent care Of
the trust confded to their care by the pso-
pie, and feel confident that you will con
tinue in the course you have thus far par
sued. Respectfully submitted,
G. W. STARLIGHT,
Mayor.
AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS.