Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-05
MUNICIPAL REFORM.
[Continucd from Fourth PAGE.


commonly called lawless, he will cater
to it, more or less, and the result is a
loose administration Of the city laws.
am in favor of some change. If the
term Of Office could be made five years,
and he was made ineligible as his own
successor, he would do his duty, be-
cause there would be nothing to be
gained by not doing it. He would be
without fear. / don't refer particularly
to the present City Sergeant when | say
this. | don't say he is better or worse
than other City Sergeants, but he winks
at lots of violations of law because he
don't want to make enemies
Mr.. Brandfass said he had talked with
the present City Sergeant, and he was
in favor of the change in the term OF
Office. Several of those present seemed
to be in ravor OF an extension OF the
term of Office to four years, and Mr..
Robinson called especial and particular
attention to the fact that any changes
VIII ich might be made in the term Of any
officers, or the mode OF electing the
same. could not possibly affect either
any officer now holding Office, nor any
one to be elected at the coming city
election, as it could not take effect be-
for the beginning Of the terms commenc-
ing in 1898.
Mr.. Farrell said that many years ago
"before my time" the Council elected
the CITY Sergeant: ::and old citizens told
him IL was "a bear show that a vote
for members of Council was merely
vote in favor of one or the other candi-
dates for City Sergeant. The thing
worked so badly that the law was
changed to an election by the people.
Mr.. Robinson-Why, that can't be-.
The law works all right, at present. in
the cases of the City Collector, the most
profitable Office under the city govern
ment. You hear of no scheming as to
that Office. There couldn't well be any
trouble in this city; the vote was too
evenly divided. Proceeding, Mr.. Rob
inson reiterated that he was
fighting no law or individual,
but no one could deny but that
there were lots OF laws which the City
Sergeant did not attempt to enforce.
Men in certain occupations would say
to a Chief: "We elected you; you are
under obligations to us" and he would
say. Il know IT, | realize it; | know
that you did me great deal of good,
and he would wink at lots Of things.
Mr.. Cruise begged the indulgence of
the committee, and aid, that, without
committing himself to Mr. BrandfaSS'
idea of an election Of the City Sergeant
by Council, if 1t was desired to remove
the Office away from local influences in
that way, he would suggest the appoint
ment of 4 Board by the Governor of the
State.
Mr.. Robinson begged Mr.. Cruise to
grasp the idea. He wanted to see the
Chief of Police SO situated as not to be
under obligations to any one, or any
class, and free to do his duty as set
forth in the laws of the city.
Mr. Cruise said he appreciated Mr.
Robinson'S position. and he recommend
ed consideration of the plan Of elect
ing the Chief for four years, with the
addition that the Chief would have no
power TO remove a police officer, except
for cause. A member OF the force, who
was good man, and understood his du-
ties. ought to be retained. This Sug-
gestion struck the committee very for
cibly, and there was quite a long dis
cussion upon that line, during which
much was said of great interest. There
was Il general recognition, and ire
ouent expression OF the fact that the
police force are the guardians OF the
property of the people, especially at
II, thaf n nnuhf no WELL
governed body OF experienced men.
PER DIEM FOR CoUNCILMEN.
The next subject taken up was the
question of paying members OF Council
per diem and reducing the number of
members, and the discussion upon this
topic was quite extended. One or two
members OF the committee said the time
had come when the city could afford To
pay a per diem TO members OF Council
for transacting public business, and 1t
was pointed out that the county had tried
the experiment for years, and found II
to work well. During this talk, 1t came
out that with one exception, all the
members of Council present said they
had enough Of that sort OF public life,
anu MI. hTI>t SIlu ~ as u Shdhi'
men who were earnestly trying to dis
charge their duties to their constituents.
should be exposed to the vllilicatlon
they had lately received. not only from
the public press, but from the pulpit.
IL was not right that that bigoted per-
sons should cast these reflections. The
present City Council would compare IA
yorably with any in the history of the
city. and the officials were honest.
A CITY AUDITOR.
Mr.. Brandfass introduced the subject
of the desrability of City Auditor to
look over general bills and accounts,
now subjected to but very cursory
scrutiny, and the idea was approved. In
this connection the subject Of one city
treasury, for the reception of all funds.
instead OF the three or four treasures
now existing, one of which may have
surplus OF money. while the others are
compelled TO borrow at six per cent In
terest, was taken up. and the committee
was solidly in favor Of a change OF that
nature.
OTHER MATTERS.
\ Change III INC tilit VI pay ms 'i"p'
licenses was then brought forward, it
being stated it would greatly benefit
the administration of city affairs If the
licenses could be made payable earlier
in the year, and this opened up wide
range of matters, and led TO discussion
when was prolonged until about ten
o'clock. Many views were expressed on
many different matters, but the com
mittee, recognizing that it could not
conclude the business at one session,
and that the presence OF the City
Solicitor was almost Indispensable.
agreed to take an adjournment until
such time as Col. White could be pres
ent, and in the meantime TO digest the
ideas brought forward, and possibly
formulate some new ones.
ENTERTAINMENT
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