Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-08-23
THE NIGHT HACKS.
THE SUBJECT CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE.
Citizens Give Testimony as to the Extent Of the
Nuisa1ce-An Ordinance Ordered Drawn up
by the Solicitor Designating
Public Stand.

The Council committee on OTulndnCes
met last evening to consider the petit
ton introduced into the First Branch
of Council, at the last meeting, and by
that body referred to the Committee,
protesting against the further continu-
ance of the long line Of hacks and cabs
on the east side of Market street, be-
tween Twelfth street and alley nine.
Half dozen business men were present
to lay their complaints before the Com
mittee in person, and letter was read
from Senator n, B. Scott, in which he
also made strenuous objection to the
existing nuisance.
Before taking any action Chairman
Hadick called for expressions from the
citizens present, and in reply the Com
mittee was informed Of the objection
able features Of the hacks and cabs at
considerable length.
II. B. Mcclure stated that the hack
men were noisy at night, that the stencil
from the filth left upon the street in the
morning was source OF considerable
complaint at the hotel, some OF the
guests threatening to leave, others want
ing their rooms changed, and others
still entering almost daily protests.
Gentlemen often could not transact bust
ness in the writing room, and guests
could not sleep at night for the noise.
He had com planned to both the Chief OF
Police and the Health officer, and the
latter had told him he was powerless,
and that the Board of Public Works
merely laughed at his complaints.
Mr.. Beekman said the smell brought
into his place OF business was not only
very Objectionable but very unhealthy,
and he had been so advised by his
physician.
MI Hugo Loos talked to the Commit
tee TO the same effect, and other gentle
men present added their testimony, say
ing, among other things, that the hack
men were noisy and diSorderly, that
prostitutes were brought down to that
portion of the town ct night by hack
men, that street-waikers stopped there
and talked with the hackmen, and that
the hacks were often so closely drawn
reach the east sidewalk after crossing
the street, and often had to walk hun
dred feet in either mud or dust TO get on
tho pavement. The liability TO accident
during alarms of fire was also referred
TO, and il was pointed out that with
one side OF the street filled with a line
OF a dozen or more hacks, and an cleo
trio car in the centre, there was very
little room left for anything else. II
was also stated that two or three owners
o. hacks said they were willing TO keep
their rigs in the stables and only go out
on telephone calls, il all the rest Of the
owners would do the same thing.
After the testimony was all In there
was a general discussion OF the sltua-
ton among the members OF the Com
mittee, who were aided by the City So
licitor. The latter was Of the opinion
that the city had the power TO regulate
the matter, and some Of the Committee
also though that there was dereliction
on the part of both the police and the
Board of Public Works, the former in
not stopping diSorderly hackmen, and
the latter in not cleaning up NTH.
After the whole matter had been
gone over, it was agreed that there
should be public hack stand, and a
resolution was adopted asking the So
licitor to draft an ordinance declaring
the north and west fronts of the City
Hall city hack stand, and prescribing
fine OF from one to twenty dollars for
allowing hacks not actually under en-
gagement to stand upon the streets.
......ur.,.,,-r hnhnf of