Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-11-01
A STATEMENT
From Capt. Thos. Prince Which Contains
Frat Glass stamp speech IN the Belly of
the Paper.

From Capt. ThOs. Prince Which Contains a
Frat Glass stamp speech IN the Belly of
the Paper.
TO tho Editor Of the REGISTER
SR:-It has been the custom in your
paper within the past week to speak severe
lY of the motives Of those who ask questions
about the experience of the city and OF the
Board of Gas Trustees with the late Secre-
tary of the Gas works in money matters.
There has been a special severity exercised
towards the resolutions introduced by my
self in the City Council, and among other
things those resolutions have been called
anonymous"
l have no disposition to avoid RESPONSE
bility for those resolutions. They were
offered by myself deliberately and from
good motives. The charge that there had
been heavy shortages 10 Mr.. Franzheim's
dealings, as the Secretary of the Gas
Works, did not originate with me. 1t was,
believe, first heard from the ranks of the
political friends of the accused. / did not
take it up or make it the ground Of my
resolutions until | had satisfied myself,
by personal inquiries, that the
truth Of the charges was exceedingly proc.
able then felt that it was due TO the city
that an Investigation be had, and that the
Council be advised of the facts that were
already within the knowledge of the Board
of Gas Trustees, and be advised also of any
other facts which might be useful, especi-
ally in the line of suggesting or providing
methods of keeping accounts which should
lessen the temptations TO gas officials III the
future.
1t has been said that there was a political
motive in those resolutions. Mr.. Franz.
helm is a candidate for the office of largest
al IL
the Office Of Sheriff. which under our law
combines with other duties the functions
Of Tax Collector and County Treasurer.
Ii he were seeking employment from
merchant or private corporation be would
expect TO have inquiries made of his for
mer employer, especially if there had
been trouble, or even if there was q
rumor Of trouble haying existed in his
dealings with such former employer. Here
we have, to certain extent, the same en-
ployer. The former employer was the City
the County Of Ohio, including the City,
Is it unreasonable that the inquiry should
be madel Mr.. Franzheim has, in limited
form, made the inquiry himself l should
not have introduced my resolutions If his
paper had been more explicit Since my
resolutions were rejected. hope it may be
the pleasure Of the Gas Trustees and the
Committee on Lights, to whom his paper
was referred, to take up the same without
further delay. 1t is TO DE regretted that
they have delayed so long.
IL the Board of Gas Trustees shall cate
gorically answer or report that the matters
recited in my resolutions and the preamble
thereto, and of which they are said to have
knowledge, are untrue. shall be happy TO
to mako all amenes possible. IL is the
farthest from my wish to GO Mr.. Franz
helm any wrong in this matter. So far as
have any political motive in the matter it
is Just this: l want the voters OF Ohio
county TO De correctly and automatically in
formed by the Board of Gas Trustees
whether Mr.. Franzheim was, when he
ceased TO be Secretary of the Gas Works,
largely in debt TO the city in his capacity as
secretary, and if he was, then whether the
fact was made known by him or was dis
covered without his aid; and further,
whether he paid back moro than s., 600 on
account of such Indebtedness after it was
discovered. AS public servant ne has not |
been without trial. Can the Board OF |
Gas trustees make such areport OF his pre-
vious conduct as to enable the voters TO say: |
We'll done, thou good and faithful SER
want Thou hast been faithful over 8 few
things; we Will make thee ruler over many |
things" THOMAS PRINCE.