The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-26

city council last night. The session
had been short, and the proceedings
we're made up with dry routine until
nearly the close.
The first ripple on the calm surface OF
the proceedings came in the shape Of a
document handed to the city clerk,
which he read to the branch. 1t was as
follows:
10 his Honor NE Mayor aud members Of nc Council
Of tle city Of Welding:
GGYTLEMEN:-0 TO certain libel
GUS charges published in the editorial
columns OF the Wheeling INTELLIdEN-
GER during the past week rejecting on
my honesty during the term OF my
services as secretary of the board of gas
trustees OF this city, ! feel it incumbent
upon me to call the matter TO the at
tention of your honorable body, and
ask an immediate investigation OF the
affairs of that office during my admins
tration OF same, for the purpose OF vim.
dicating my honor and self respect as
citizen Of this city.
Wheeling, Oct. "a.
When this had been read, Mr.. Bailey
moved that it be referred to the board
OF gus trustees and the committee on
lights Of the City Council. His motion
was carried without debate or division.
Captain Prince then offered the fol-
lowing paper, which was read by the
clerk:
WHEREAs, 1t has become known that
the trustees OF the gas works, shortly
after the resignation of the late secre-
tary of the gus works, A. A. FranZheim,
discovered that there were such irregu-
larities in the accounts kept by said sec.
retary as to leave him IN debt to the
city in large amounts, and that upon
the discovery OF said delinquencies and
the disclosure of them to him he paid
over on account of said delinquencies,
or in full thereof, sums amounting to
$50, 4l2 "a, and,
WHEREAS, 1t is not many years since
under other honest but contiding trus-
tees, another secretary and treasurer OF
the gas works were defaulters in an
amount exceeding $4,000. but the total
OF which can never be ascertained, ow-
ing to the burning Of the books OF ac-
count OF the gas works, audit is deemed
advisable TO have such an auditing OF
accounts of the said secretary as will
disclose whether any or other Irregular
tiles have occurred, and such an inves-
tigation into the methods OF the keep
ing OF accounts OF the gas works as may
be best adopted to protect against defal-
cations and shortages In the future,
Resolred, That a special committee OF
fire members Of council, two members
from the first branch and three from
the second, at least one member from
each branch TO be ola different political
party from the other member or menu
beers from that branch be appointed
forthwith and whether any other ir-
regularities or shortages have occurred
in the accounts of the said A. A. Franz
helm, secretary, or Of the funds Of the
board OF gas trustees, and to ascertain
whether it is still the practice to permit
the shipments OF tar or other products
Of the gas works to be made without
their value being charged on the books
Of the secretary in the office OF said gas
trustees, or whether under the system
Of accounts still pursued in the gas Office
it is possible for the secretary or any
other officer Of the gas works to carry
on his books as cash large amounts OF
money represented only by personal
slips in his own custody, and OF which
he only has knowledge; and whether
the system OF accounts is such that
there can still be large payments by
purchasers of products from the gas
works on account thereof 10 the secre-
tary or any other officer and the same
can be devoted to his own uses without
detection. otherwise than by proof of
the payment coming from the pur-
chaser.
RESOLVED, 2, That the said special COM
mittee be instructed to begin its inves-
legations Immediately, and to pursue
the same with diligence and to report
promptly to the Council the facts in
regard to the said shortages, the same
never having yet been reported to the
Council, and any other facts which they
may learn in reference to any shortages
or detalcations in the accounts Of the
gas works, and to accompany their re-
ports with such recommendations as to
the methods to be employed in the fu-
ture IN keeping the accounts OF the gas
works, and providing checks against mis-
application of funds as their inveatiga-
tons NAV show to be necessary.
ReSolUed, 8, That the said committee
shall have power to send for persons
and papers and to employ an expert ac-
countant, il in their judgment it shall
be necessary.
Scarcely had Capt. Prince moved
that this be adopted until Mr.. Kenney
moved clay it on the table.
TO this Mr.. Bailey objected. He
wanted to amend, so as to refer this to
the gas trustees, to investigate them
selves, with the assistance of the
Council committee on lights. Mr..
Bailey was called to order by Mr..
Craig, but continued to speak, putting
his suggestions as question Of privi-
lege."
Mr.. Kenney insisted on his motion to
table, and Capt. Prince demanded the
ayes and nays, which were taken.
Those who voted aye we're:
Irwin, schumAu,
Kenney, NlerhellcF,
Kline, WeltEell.
O'Maley, WaltheF,
Robertson, Zoeckler.
Those who voted no were:
Bailey, Jefferson.
Craig KalbltzeT,
Freese, MorningStar,
Hadllch, Mckinley,
Hoo. Prince.
Tho vote being tie, OF course the
resolutions we're lost
Then Mr.. Bailey again moved to refer
the matter to the gas trustees and COM
mittee on lights.
Mr.. Kenney moved to table that, and
1t was done rapidly.