The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-21
Tho Terminal Subscription.


The County Commissioners should
make no move in the matter of paying
the last 100000 of the county's sub
scription TO the capital stock Of the
Wheeling Bridge and Terminal Com
pany until they are sure that it is the
right move. 1t is well to exercise de-
Iiberate judgment, and to get all the
light on the question at issue which is
TO be obtained, before taking action
which connot afterwards be revoked. 1t
is not well, however, at this time and
in the consideration of this question to
waste time and bias judgment by con-
fusing the real issue.
There is one plain question to be de-
ciled, and no more. That question
arises in this way: The county made
subscription of 100000 to the Terminal
stock. OF this, one-third was to be paid
when certain things had been done by
the company, the second third when
certain other conditions were fulfilled,
aud the remaining 100000 when the
companys bridges and tunnels and its
connecting tracks and terminals were
completed ready for the running OF
cars, and "a new railroad" was COM
pleted ready for the running of trains
fromithe west end of the bridge to
Conversion, in the State OF Ohio.
The conditions precedent to the first
and second payments were fulfilled long
ago and the two installments of the
money paid over. The third is now de-
manded by the company. The money
is due II the conditions specified as pre-
liminary to the final payment have
been complied with. There is no dis
pute as to the completion OF the bridge,
the tunnel and the terminal tracks.
There exists, therefore, but one ques-
ton, which is: Has there been new
railroad constructed from the west end
of the company's bridge to Conversion,
and is it ready for the passage of cars?
II this question can be answered in
the affirmative, the county cannot hon
estly or justly refuse ordelay the.pay-
ment of the remaining 100000. 1t has
been earned by the company, and be-
longs to it under the contract.
II a provision in the contract be.
tween the county and the Terminal pco-
pie regarding the charges for handling
cars has been Violated, that is matter
Of public concern, but it is not a matter
affecting the payment OF the 100000.
It was not specified in the contract that
the final payment on the subscription
might be withheld if other clauses were
violated, but simply that certain
things must first be done. There is a
way to enforce any provision Of the
contract, hut that way is not by with
holding from the company something
that is Justly due it.
AS to whether the thew railroad
provision is fulfilled by the completion
Of the Wheeling & Lake Eric railroad
there is perhaps room for discussion,
but this ought not to be a very difficult
matter 10 decide; and in discussing it,
it should be borne in mind that there
exists a contract between two parties,
which ought not to be made subject to
the selfish aims of any other person or
corporation. Justice should be, and
VIC have no doubt will be, the only aim
OF the commissioners; and that justice
may be done they should avoid being
influenced by side issues, or sharing the
personal feelings of any outside party.