Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-04-10
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The Committee Considers the Annual Re-
port and Takes Hold Vigorously.

consider In detail the recommendation
OF Chief Delbrugge regarding the reor
ganization and Improvement OF th'
force. The report Yves read in full BY
the Chief, and the items were taken up il
detail and fully considered.
Regarding the Chiefs recommends
tion for the appointment OF two rounds
men, the committee agreed that such al
addition to the force would be very de
sirable, and passed a resolution bringing
the matter to the attention OF Council
Later, after there had been discussion
upon the compilation OF rules for the
government of the force. to be enacted
into city ordinance, with suitable pen
alties attached, it was thought that per,
haps the roundSmen could be dispensed
with, especially as other things were
very much needed, and the former ac.
tion was reconsidered, and the matter
laid on the table for the present.
The matter OF complete reorganiza.
tion OF the department, with a Chief APP
pointed instead Of being elected by the
people, was brought up, and it was
agreed by all present that such l system
would secure tae better administration
OF the department. 1t was agreed,
however, that TO do this would REQUIRE
legislation at Charleston, and that being
the case, nothing could be done for
nearly two years TO come. In discussing
the matter Chief Delbrugge pointedly
said 1t was impossible to get proper
service when the Chief depended on the
popular vote for the office, and said no
member OF the Committee, holding the
Office, would cut off his own nose in the
couse OF duty, purely and simply.
Regarding the matter OF rules for the
government OF the force and department
generally, II was conceded that ut
present there IS nothing OF the sort eX-
istlug, and after a general interchange
OF opinion. MeSSrS. jefferson. Marsh
and Warneke were appointed sub
committee to act with the Chief in
drawing up a code OF rules, ideas to be
obtained, If necessary, from similar
rules in other cities.
The Chiefs recommendation that ad-
dtional street patrol boxes be erected,
was deemed first class, and they will be
included in the estimate.
The patrol wagon question Occasioned
long discussion. The committee unan-
imouSly agreed that the wagon was a
necessity, and that il was not right to
allow Mr. Anton Reymann to longer
stand the expense Of running il, includ-
ing care Of horses, feed. wages OF driy-
cr. etc, especially a> he had generously
donated the horse and wagon to the
city. The Chiefs recommendation that
a small building be erected and the
wagon kept therein, and his statement
that the wagon was sadly handicapped
in its usefulness by reason OF its lOca-
tion in public livery stable, outside Of
the control OF the department, were
both esteemed to be proper, and the
committee agreed to include in
It's annual estimate 5000 for building,
and sufficient money for the salary Of a
day and night man, To have the care
of the wagon. answer calls, etc, the
wagon to be fitted with fire alarm drop
harness, so as 10 be available as quickly
as a piece Of fire apparatus, in response
to calls. Messrs. Zarntz, Myers and
OKane were appointed sub-commit-
tee TO ascertain the cost OF house suit
able for the purpose, TO be located OPP
posite the Atlantic engine house.
Regarding the better keeping Of the
records Of the department, it was agreed
that improvement was necessary, and
the matter was referred TO the Sub-com-
mittee on rules, TO report method OF
carrying out the recommendation.
The matter Of disorderly saloons was
brought up and discussed for quite a
time, and It was agreed that Council
ought to exercise discretion in the mat
ter OF granting new licenses, during the
present month.
The Chiefs recommendation regard
ing arrests on suspicion was referred to
a subcommittee consisting OF MeSSrs.
Happy, jefferson and Klein, with the
City Solicitor, they to report an ordi-
nance amending the present laws on
the subject so as TO give the police
more authority and wider latitude.
Various other matters looking to the
improvement Of the department were
discussed, and there was thorough
disposition shown to make all the i'm
provements, OF whatever character, pos
sible. The committee will meet again
when the subcommittee report, and
will then complete the estimate for the
year.