Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-10-26
OH! WHAT A BLUFF.
REPUBLICANS MAKE AN ANONYMOUS CHARGE
IN COUNCIL LAST NIGHT,
After Mr.. A. A. Franzheim Had Demanded an In
yestigahOn of The RumOrs Affecting Him-The
Gas Trustees and the Light Committee
Will Comply with Mr.. Franzheim's
Request, by Order of Council.

with their mouths on the streets and
in dark corners, the Republicans must
cred up courage enough, last night, to
present an anonymous paper in Council,
alleging irregularities in the department
of the city government under the con-
troll OF the Gas Trustees.
They had a mind to do this couple
of weeks ago, but their courage failed
them, for some reason or other, and the
matter was postponed until certain
man of staw could be set up and knocked
over.
Even last night they held back the
precious document, prepared with so
much care in the Office of certain gen.
tleman, and only let it go after Mr..
Franzheim had appeared in person In
the Council chamber and made writ
ten request over his own signature, Tor
a full investigation Of the rumors which
have been industriously circulated by
Republican politicians for weeks and
months past, in order to iDjure, If pos
sible, his campaign.
No name was attached to the paper,
and it was not presented In the form
prescribed by law, and was, therefore,
not entitled to any consideration, es-
pecially as it's purpose was so obvious.
The paper presented by Mr.. Franz
helm, In a manly and straightforward
way, was referred to the Board OF 'Ias
Trustees and the Committee on Lights,
with instructions TO investigate and re-
port, while the anonymous Republican
electioneering scheme was laid on the
table by a decisive majority.
In the Second Branch, about nine
o'clock, Mr.. Hadlich being in the chair,
in the absence Of President Jepson, the
following paper was read by the Clerk
$40 His Honor the Mayor and Members of the
Council of the CITY Of WheeItng:-
"GENTLEMEN Owing to certain libelous
charges published in the editorial columns
of the Wheeling Intelltgencer, 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
il incumbent upon me to call the matter TO
the attention Of your honorable body, and
ask an immediate investigation of the
affairs of that Office during my adminlstra-
ton of the same, for the vindicatlon OF my
honor and self respect as citizen OF THIS
city. l am, gentlemen, ...u
"Yours very respectfully,
"a. A. FRANZHEIM.
"Wheelino, ". Va, October "a, 1892"
As soon as the paper had been read,
Mr.. Kenhey moved that it be referred
to the Committee on Lights and the
Board of Gas Trustees, jointly, and Mr..
Jefferson seconded the motion. The
question was put and carried. Captain
Prince, of the Seventh ward, who had
been moving about uneasily In his seat,
then took the floor and said he also
had paper which he desired to have
presented to the body, and sent 1T to
the Clerks desk. 1t was read as fol-
lows:-
"WHEREAs, It has become known that
the Trustees of the gas works, shortly after
the resignation of the late Secretary OF the
gas works, A. A. Franzhelm, discovered
that there were such irregularities IN the
accounts kept by the said secretary as 10
leave him in debt to the city in large
amount. and that upon the discoveries of
said delinquencies and the disclosure OF
them TO him, he paid over, on account Of
said delipQuencieS, or in full thereof, sums
amounting to $6,4l224; and,
"WHEREAs, II is not many years since,
under other honest but confding Trustees.
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, owing to the
burning of portions OF the books or account
of the gas works, and it is deemed advlS-
able to have such an auditing OF the &C
counts of the said late Secretary as will
disclose whether any other irregularities
have occurred, and such an investigation
into the methods of keeping the accounts of
the Gas Works as may be best adopted to
protect the city against defalcations and
shortages in the future; therefore,
"RsSOlred, That a special committee of
five members of the Council, consisting Of
two members from the First Branch and
three members from the Second Branch,
at least one member from each Branch to
be of a different political party from the
other member or members from that
Branch, be appointed forthwith to enquire
whether any other irregularities, dlscrep-
apces or shortages have occurred IN the
accounts of the said A. A. Franzhiem,
Gas Trustees; and to ascertain whether IT
is still the practice to permit shipments of
tar or other products of the Gas Works to
he made without their value being
charged on the books OF the Secretary in
the Office Of said Gas Trustees, and wheth-
err under the system of accounts still pur-
sued in the gas ONCE, ii is possible for the
Secretary or any other officer of the works
to carry on his books, as cash, large
amounts of money represented only by per-
sonal slips in his own custody, and OF
which be 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 to the Secretary or any other of.
ficer. and the same can be devoted TO his
own uses without detection, otherwise
than by proof of the payment coming from
the purchaser.
'.Resolred THAT the said Special Commit
tee be instructed TO begin its Investigations
Immediately, and to pursue the same with
diligence and to report to the Council the
facts in regard to the said shortages, the
same never vet having been reported to
the Council, and any other facts which
they NAV learn in reference TO any short
ages or other defalcatlons IN the accounts
of the Gas Works, and TO accompany their
report with such recommendations as 10
the methods TO be employed in the future
in keeping the accounts Of the Gas Works
and providing checks against misapplica-
ton of funds as their Investigations may
show to be necessary.
"Resolued, That the said Committee shall
have power to send for persons and papers
and to employ an expert accountant, if, in
their judgement, it shall be necessary"
As soon as the reading of the paper
had been completed, Mr.. Irwin took the
floor and said:-
"Mr. President, that's no resolution
at all. They come in here and make a
wholesale charge, without proof of any
sort, and then follow it up with set of
To-