Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-02-28
THE POLICE RUMPUS.
CITIZENS WHO SEND CRITICISMS TO THE
REGISTER"
A Correspondent Warns the Committee to Beware.
A Valuable Suggestion Concerning Bridge
TO Bellairs-0thsr Ideas Submitted.
THE POLICE COMMITTEE.
A Citizen Sounds a Note of Warning.
To the Editor of The RsOiStsr.

A Citizen Sounds Note of Warning.
To the Editor Of the Register.
SHIT occurs to me, as it doubtless
has to many other citizens and tax-pay-
ers, that the Police Committee OF Coun-
Gil is acting very strangely in the mat
ter Of encouraging the effort OF the
Chief OF Police to secure efficiency
and discipline among his men, and
enforce the laws enacted by Coun'
ell. Certainly, with some matters
of recent history in our minds, 1t
must be apparent that Chief McNichols'
course has been commendable. DE has
exhibited refreshing disposition to
secure to the citizens value received for
the large sum the Police Department
costs; he evidently has some regard for
the oath of office required Of him at the
hands of Council; he has an intelligent
idea Of discipline, and appears TO know
what police force is for, and why clti-
zens contribute money, in the form OF
taxes, for its support.
This being the situation, Mr.. Editor,
is it not strange, in the face OF the
showing made by the Chief, at Friday
nights meeting of the Committee, that
his summary discharge Of two men was
not promptly concurred in by the Com
mittee, even though the course was not
quite what the law lays down? Was his
action not taken deliberately, after
ample warning to the force, and was 1t
not for the public good? And, Mr..
Editor, will not the effect of the Com
mittee's action be to destroy all dis
cipline in the force, seriously cripple
it's efficiency, and badly handicap the
Chief in securing good order and the
enforcement of the law? The action
Of the committee was not such as TO
command itself to an intelligent public.
What, Mr. Editor would be the course
of any business man upon the Commit
tee, in a parallel case, involving his
private business affairs? And what
Justification can the members OF the
Committee offer the intelligent public
of this city, for their action?
Has the thought suggested itself to
the members of the Committee on Police
that the public is watching the drift
of municipal affairs with great deal OF
care? Have the gentlemen forgotten
that party politics in municipal matters
are not paramount, and that a very
large proportion of taxpayers hold po-
litical affiliations very lightly when the
disbursement of public monies and the
local security Of life and property are
involved =? II the committeeman have
forgotten these things, l beg leave to
recall, Mr.. Editor, the recent revo-
luton in city matters, consequent
upon the Encouragement of the gov
eminent of the city OF Wheeling by the
Republicans. They thought they had
''cinch" upon the city and they ran
things with high hand. The people
took the conceit out Of them, it will be
remembered, in a way which made them
dizzy. History repeats itself, In the
city Of Wheeling as we'll as elsewhere,
and reckless disregard OF the proprie-
ties, of the public interests and OF public
sentiment may bring with it a penalty
proportionate to the otfense.
CITIZEN.