Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-04-23
The SeeIey Matter.


The report Of the special committee APP
pointed TO investigate into the account
a,,,inst Oscar Seeley. was read, setting
forth The facts of the investigation, and
closing with. am
Mr. Oscar Seeley is true, that he got the
nine and that there was mo- evidence that
me same was ever returned. therefore,,
we recommend % your honorable body thal
sut.h action be taken i'm order 10 collect the
said bin rs may be proper ,a..
I'm this connection Mr. Miller offered the
..WurErAs. The special committee APP
poiutcd 10 investigate the Gas trustees
charges against Oscar Seeiey' report 'ne
charges fully sustained; and
"WHEREts, The investigation proves
that Oscar Seeley used his honorable posi-
lion as Gas Trustee for his personal peeu-
MARY benefit. To the dctrimcnt OF the clJy'
..lNurerNs. Oscar Seclcy wilfully VIC
lated the obligations ne had taken on him
self To serve the city of Wheeling honestly
and 10 the best of his ability; therefore
"Re,oicod. That Oscar Seeley be and is
hereby declared expelled as "a member oil
this Council o.,
Mr. Davidson said tine resolution offered
bv Mr.. Miller was not german To- inc com
mittee report, and Mr. Maxwell sided WIN
him. .,r:u
to Mr.. Seelcy 20 take action ID his absence.
Removed 10 lay ou the table.
This resolution was voted down 10y
large majority
MIR. Maxwell moved TO adopt the report
80 tho committee and ou this there was "a
discussion
Mr.. Bailey said he did not think it right
to take the action contemplated mn MT. MIL
lef's resolution While Mr. SecleN had
becu n member of this body he had done
uo,hinewronc. If he had been guilty OF
something four years ago. some one else
was partly spousible for d.. and thdt some
one was Mr. DaIah. III Mr.. SeeleF
had violated Eis obligation, MI Darrlh
had violated his. He had taken am oath 70
protect the property of the city, and me hd
lido H. Not "a dollar could be made on
Mr. Scelev. and 10 was useless To proceed
LEGALLY against him. He closed oy moving
That Mr. DaGah bc made JOINT dciendaht
with Mr. Secioy, and proceedings oc had
Mr.. Miller thought that Mr. Darrah had
dome RIGHT. and that he deserved credit Tor
what he had done Mr.. Seeley had told
Nm. Miller he would eXoHorate himself be-
fore the Committee. vet what mad he done
Nothing. 80,
Thechair said he did not think Mr.. Mil
ler's resolution went far enough III shoulo
contain clause providing Tor legal steps.
There was "a discussion AS TO the rela-
tions of the Committee report and the reSo-
ntiou offered by Mr.. Miller and, To- eXpe-
diate matters. Mr. Miller temporarily
Withdrew his motion. and the report OF the
Committee was alone before the house
Mr. Bailey again renewed his motion TO
DO couple Mr. Darrah' S name with MT.
Seelev's. but later Withdrew II, on point
of order.
The report of the Committee was then
adopted by rird pocl vote, the ayes having
"a large majority.
MIR Miller again offered nus resolution
and il was again read by the Clerk.
MIR Niller-I call for the ayes and noes.
Mir Maxwell The yeas and nays are all
RIGHT. but the question may come up as 10
whether on not ne has had "a legal trial
don't believe he has 10 seems To me
Cont Of Justice would be the place to set
tie that. The resolution seems 10 me 10 DC
little hasty.
MIR Davidson said hc substantially CON
cul1ed i'm what Mr.. Maxwell had said, and
made a long statement 20 the erect that Mt.
Seelev was in the hands of his counsel anu
could not pursue his own inclinauons. lie
did not not think Mr. Seeloy had 4ad iair
show. The action was nasty.
Mir. BAILEY moved 90 Indefinitely post
poue. and Mr Maxwell seconded ~
Mir. O'Kane said MT Sceioy was willing
10 so ON the stand, but his counsel forbade
him. Hewas In favor of fair play.
MIR Harell said the evidence was before
the committee that Mr. Seeley had had pipe
loaded on "a dray. after it had been paid Tor
by the CITY. and taken 10 Mr. Sccley's shop.
That Jgas sworn o. by men who helped load
| the pipe ibis was aoupdanliN proved
and there was NOT one la,l pl evidence TO
disprove TO- That fact alone was sd.iisitht
10 criminate him. Council had a perfect
RIGHT to Dust Mr. Seclcy 10 was the Judge
! of its members. II seemed 10 him there
WAS a set scheme 90 retain MIR SeeleN.
MIR. Braudfass recalled that when the
special committee was appointed, Sccley
made a statement IN which me salu ne
would abide by the committees hndlne
Now De hides behind his attorney and re
fuses 10 explain or make any statement 81
would like Ia ask gentlemen If they believe
Mr.. Seeley innocent % mot, they ought to
vote % Uuseat him
Mr.. Hairell said the defense had 40 leg
10 stand on. aud their only recourse was TO
play "a game Of bluff. aud hope 90 lot the
thing drag In the courts until this toupfu
expired and the matter died CUT.
Mr. Miller thought Council had been len
/ lent enough. He saw no occasion Tor de
( lay.
AIR Baileys motion topostpone was then
put and lost by pira coco vote the noes
/ having "a large majority.
| The main question was then put, and tie
resolution was adopted. ayes lb nays j. as
| follows: AYES. Mcssrs. BENT, Brandfass
| Capps. Clyker, Craig, Dillingham;. Em-
merth HarrclL kcnncy. kreiter. kuruer
| Marsh. Miller. Robrecht. Warnekc, Tahu
and Mr. Presidegt-il. Noes Mes'rs
/ Arkle, Bailey and Davidson 3.
When Mr. RRndfaSs name Eas called.
| he explained his vGta by saying he felt Mr..
/ Seelev was guilty and he felt % bis Guty
| 10 vote. under his obligation.
When Mr. MaXwells name was called,
/ be said Dc thought he had as clear con-
/ science as ANY m2p in Council. IL was too
clear TO Jump on man when he was down
/ - would refuse 70 vote.
Some member moved 10 excuse Mr.. Max
well. bus the Brunch refused to do So.
Mr. Maxwell reiterated bis Eeiusai 70
vote. and the President said i, WIS the outs
| of every member 10 vote, under his obiiga-
/ ton. and as "a duty 90 the citizens.
When Mr. O'kane's name was called, he
said a. felt Mr. Seeley was guilty, but he
/ declined 70 voto.
/ Mr. R0brecht also dcciihrG. which called
/ f.rfh the remark from the Char tnat the
th'ne Sqas getting monotonous. Later
4 Mir Roblecht voted. and the result was
announced by toe Chair Mr. Secley being
expelled
'fhe Breach then went inta aa election
| To fiji the vacancy, aad Mr Andrew Ham
I iitou was chosen.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
I