Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-21
A LIVELY SESSION
OVER TIE COUNTYS FINAL PAYMENT Oh
100000 TO TgE TERMINAL SYSTEM.
An kl-Dsy ConhS-Lawysrs Russell and Hub
bard Present Argumsnis-lr. Suihsr-
lands Address.


terday presented an animated scene,
the occasion being the meeting Of the
Finance Committee of the Board TO con-
slider the much ventilated problem OF
whether TO pay or not to pay the last
500, 1000 Of the $500, 900 voted the
Wheeling Bridge ana Terminal Com
pany by the county.
The meeting was called for 10 o'clock
bat il was nearly an hour later before
the members appeared on the scene.
The members of the Board present were
MessrS. MoGregOr, Cruise, Hall, Koch
and mckinley. the Wheeling Bridge
and Terminal Company being represent
ed by Lawyer w. p. Hubbard, and
among the officials Of the company
present, were General Manager Ayre
and Chief Engineer job Abbott. Law
yer Henry NJ. Russell represented the
opposing forces against the payment OF
the bulk OF money. AS Mr.. Russell en-
tered the room he was apparently &C
cOmpanied by tall, heavy-framed gen
tleman who wore studied air,
but OF whom the members present
seemed TO have but little acquaint-
ance. There were several inquiries
as 20 his identity The stranger was
soon escOnced in a big chair, contem-
plating the legislators about him, and
silent as the grave. His presence was
particularly noticeable TO Mr.. Hubbard,
who INQUIRED into the significance Of his
presence. Mr.. Hubbard was informed
by Lawyer Russell that the gentleman
was Col. Sutherland, Of Jefferson COun-
ty. Ohio.
Il believe we were summoned here
to-day" said Mr.. Hubbard, "tO act upon
a formal protest from the taxpayers. I
can imagine what interest the people of
Ohio county take in this matter, but
what possible Interest this gentleman
from Ohio has in this matter l cannot
conceive"
HE is here" said Mr.. Russell, ''be-
cause he has some important facts TO
divulge touching on this question"
"Who does Col. Sutherland repre-
sent?" asked Mr.. Hubbard.
perhaps yOu would learn If the Colo
mel could have the floor" replied Mr.
Russell.
and the mystery over the unexpected
presence OF the gentleman from Ohio
gradually wore away. 1t created a
lively tilt between counsel, but
only one OF many throughout the
session, which lasted all day, and
at times it looked like war 70 the knife.
Any public citizen was admitted to the
session, and during the afternoon there
was a large number Of spectators on the
scene, including many Of the officials
about the building who dropped in Occa-
SiOnally who was winning the race.
OPENING Up THE CASE.
Mr.. Russell took the floor first, stat
ing at the outset that be appeared be-
fore the Commissioners representing
particular client, K. Z. Mcneil, a tax
payer, and a reputable citizen of Ohio
county. l have gathered from
examination Of the ordinance and agree
ment between the county and the Wheel
ing Bridge and Terminal Company that
the subscription that Ohio county
agreed to make was a conditional one,
based on certain conditions. The stat
ute law provides that II the company
neglectS to comply with these cOndi-
tionS the payment OF the subscription
shall be void. The subscription de-
ponds upon the terms of compliance.
The ordinance was followed by an
agreement. il recollect, that was pre-
cisely in the terms OF the ordinance
itself. There is no need OF calling your
attention TO the agreement as to how
the 5000, 600 should be spent. The re-
naming $1,000 600 should be paid when
the tunnel shall be completed, and
when the road from Wheeling to Bow
erston Is done, or so far advanced in
construction as TO ensure completion.
According TO the ordinance a new
railroad was TO have been built from the
west end Of this bridge to BOwerStown,
and new railroad in the sense that 1t
did not mean an existing railroad. And
certainly il was contemplated that this
new road was to be built, not from Bow
erston TO the bridge, but from the
bridge to BowerStOn.
The Wheeling and Lake Erie railroad,
he said, was rot such q "new" railroad
as the ordinance contemplated. At the
time the ordinance was passed it had
been chartered, its charter providing
fer the construction Of line from To-
ledo to a pOlRt in Ohio opposite Wheel
ing. and its line had already been COM
pleted from Toledo TO BOwerstOn. 1t
was not the railroad, or such
q railroad, as was contem-
plated by the ordinance and
was understood by the public when the
subscription was voted. The Wheeling
& Lake Erie did not fill the provisions
OF the agreement. 1t was in fact a rail-
road built from Toledo TO Steubenville,
Ohio, It's main line connecting those
two points. II had only switch con-
pectien with the Union Bridge, and
Wheeling was not properly principal
terminus as the ordinance contemplated
that IL should be OF the road TO be con-
structed. In addition TO this fact, the
traffic arrangement between the Wheel
ing Bridge and Terminal Company and
the Wheeling & Lake Erie was at best
only temporary arrangement.
The Wheeling and Lake Erie has
come on from Conversion without any
assistance from Ohio county or the
Wheeling Bridge and Terminal Com
pany. 1t was the idea of the people
voting upon this ordinance that it was
the south Penn and Ohio road that was
TO be laid TO BowerSton. No such road
has been built. SpasmOdic efforts have
been made at times. And, again,
understand the Wheeling Bridge and
Terminal Company has really been an
obstructioniSt TO the Wheeling and
Lake Erie. and diverted it to Steuben-
willie, a place it had never dreamed
OF going. The original intention Of
the wheeling and Lake Erie road after
reaching Portland was 10 take the
south side Of the creek. turn the hill,
cross the Cleveland and PittSburg road,