Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-31
CITY LEGISLATION.
ANOTHER SESSION OF TIE SPECIAL COMMITTEE,
LAST MIGHT,
Al Which Nothing Definite Was Accomplished
Propositions Submittsd-AnOthsr Meet
ing 10 Be Held Friday
Night,

Propositions NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. neet-
ing to Be Held Friday
Night
The Council Committee on Legislation |
met last evening, with the City Solicitor |
to further discuss the proposed changes
in the city charter There were pres
ent Messrs. Brandfass, Hadlch and
Farrell, the two Republican members of
the committee, Messrs. Arkle and Rob-
inson, being absent.
Business was commenced by Mr..
Brandfass resigning the chair TO Mr..
Farrell, and introducing the following
paper:
Rosolroi, That this committee recommend
10 Council the following amendment 10 the
city charter. and that our representatives
TO the Legislature be pctitioned TO have the
same enacted during the next session, viz
ITO abolish the Boards OF Public Works,
Gas Trustees and Water Board, and sub
stitute instead Board Of Control, said
Board to be formed Of three citizens, TO be
elected by Council, for the term Of six
years, except that for the first term one
shall be elected for six years, one member
for four years, and one member for two
years. That all powers and rights now
vested in the Board Of Public Works, Gas
Trustees and Water Board be transferred
to the Board Of Control, and that the salary
Of the members of the Board of Control
shall not exceed 81, 200 per annum."
TT l.
fass said il was also Il part OF his idea TO
have all public money coming into the
hands of such Board go into one gen.
eral public treasury, from which appro-
priationS should be made by Council.
A long discussion ensued upon this
proposition, during the talk Mr.. Had
Itch suggesting that he had an idea to
elect two members for each of the three
Boards at present existing, and make
the Mayor of the city the third member
and the president OF each Board. He
would pay enough money as Il salary TO
the Mayor to attract good man, who
would give the city his services during
business hours, and be the actual head
OF the city government.
Mr.. Farrell was hardly pleased with
either idea. lie was in favor OF abol-
ishing the salary of the Mayor and 60
Ing back TO the old principle OF making
the Office an honorary one and choosing
some old citizen to ill ii. After rath
er long discussion, Mr.. BrandfasS said
he had another proposition 10 offer, In
connection with his first resolution, and
that was, in substance, TO abolish the
Office of City Sergeant, make the Mayor
the head of the police department, he
to appoint captain and the officers. to
be confirmed by Council, and extending
the term OF the Mayor, City Clerk and
Wharfmaster from two years to four.
a prolonged discussion ensued upon
the comparative merits of the PROPOSE
tions advanced 10y Mr.. Brandfass and
informally by Mr.. iadlich, and finally
Mr.. BGandfass' motion was put and lost,
he alone voting for il.
Mr.. Hadlich then offered the follow
ing
That the Legislature change the laws
so that the Mayor shall become, er ofciO a
member OF the Board of Public Works,
Gas Trustees and Water Board, and be
come the executive officer OF each OF those
Boards, with powers TO carry out their di-
rcctions and orders, and that Council be
givoa povvor TO pass any ordinance noceS.
sary for the proper conduct OF the Boards
and their executive officer and the admin
istration of the affairs OF the city which
may be committed to the Boards respec-
lively"
Mr.. Brandfass did not think this plan
would work advantageously, and point
ed out his reasons at some length.
Ct Mr.. Hadlich said he contemplated
adding a section requiring all city
money TO pass into the hands of the Re-
ceiver.
There was the usual discussion over
this, during which Mr. Farrell said:
Have we any evidence that there Is
demand for legislation of this sort?"
Mr.. IIadlich-lf there is not, Council
would not have appointed this commit
tee.
Mr., Farrell could not see any de-
mand for change, and favored re-
turn to the old order of things, rs re-
CARDS Mayor without salary.
Solicitor White said he would like to
point out one thing to the committee.
The act abOishing the Municipal Court
and forming the Police Court ought to
be amended In the matter OF appeals TO
the Circuit Court. There ought TO be
some amendment that the Circuit Court
should try such appeals on the same
basis as appeals from Justices OF the
Peace. The law was not plain enough
at present.
Col. White was asked TO prepare
paper. covering this point, for con-
sideration at the next meeting, and
promised TO do so.
Col. White then said another point de-
manded attention. The law at present
lrequired the Mayor TO see that the laws
were executed, and he took an oath to
do 50. but lie was absolutely without
authority, save that appertaining to the
Police Court. He had no power 10 COM
pei any city officer to do his duty, ii he
saw fit to do otherwise.
Mr. Farrell said he would like TO see
the health department put under the
control OF board and taken out OF the
hands Of the committee.
Mr.. Misunderstanding could be
worse than the present system.
Mr.. Hadlich favored putting the de-
partment under the control OF the Board
Of Public Works, which would require
special legislation.
Solicitor White here called attention
to another matter. lie said under the
present law no official in Wheeling had
any control over the streets, except the
power delegated to the Board Of Public
Works, In the matter Of repairs, clean
ing and improvements. This was
very important matter.
After very general discussion, which
embraced about everything from the
Constitution OF the United States down,
the Committee reconsidered its rejection
OF Mr.. Brandfass' resolution and laid
the paper on the table, and then ad-
iourned until Friday evening.
The Chicago Bank Robbers.
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