Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-04
A bridgeport Communication.

SIR:-0f the many political duties oe-
volving upon the citizens OF Belmont
county, possibly none is OF more direct
Importance than the selection OF a
State Representative. This is an office
that has to do, directly, with the max
ing of our laws and should be filed by
men of broad and liberal views; by
men who can rise TO the level OF sinking
personal or partial interests Tor
that of the majority. There are no
better judges OF the fitness OF a man
who aspires to these higher positions
than that mans immediate home people
and neighbours. Experience will teach
us that one who is not public spirited
at home, and who will not lend even so
much assistance as his approval will
amount to in matters pertaining to
the comfort and convenience OF his
townsmen, cannot be depended upon TO
advocate and support the best measures
in State Legislature.
Had our present Representative, Mr..
Heinlein, shown as much zeal in pro-
noting the Interested his constituents
in the Ohio legislature as he
has shown In his antagonizism
to every thing brough forward for the
improvement and material advance
ment Of his home town, he would be de-
serving of great praise.
He has fully demonstrated to the
people Of Bridgeport, at least that he
eau stand in the way OF public benefit
for very trlfllng reasons. As every one
knows he was the principal opponent
of the proposition TO pave the streets OF
KirKwOod when that matter was up
and a petition In circulation to procure
the required two.thirds Of the property
owners. A majority of the property
owners, and nearly all the people who
were not, wanted the paving done.
Mr.. Heiuleln's signature to the petition
would have made the tw0-thirds, but
he would not sign, and his reason
seemed to be that be did not propose TO
pay for pavements Tor pIeJian coal
wagons to run over and deposit their
mud on.
Because Of such opposition KiTkwood,
the best part Of the town, with very
fine residences, still remains a sort OF o
Venice, with canals Of unsightly mud;
and the people must not only endure
the mud, but must also endure the I'M
com plimentary remarks Of strangers
coming into our city.
Bridgeport has but one paved street,
and that is Bank street, the main busl-
ness street of the town. The Heinlein
block is the most valuable property on
this street, and occupies a prominent
corner. 1t brings in larger rents and
makes a larger return on the Investment
than any other property in the town.
An examination Of the city records
will show that this property IS not rep
resented on the petition asking for the
paving Of the street; but, fortunately,
there were enough other properties
sigued 10 secure us this great improve
ment, and the people living ana doing
business thereon are so much gratiiied
at its improved condition that they are
ready to rise up and call blessed those
who helped to do it.
Another thing OF importance that
sought to make Roadway in our town
within the past year was the electric
railroad. No sooner was this matter
known Of than nearly every citizen Of
the town was enthusiastic over IL, and
were ready TO give IL their influence
and assistance. They wanted the road
and are now thankful that they have
got It, But they did not get it through
any assistance of Mr.. Heinlein's, for he
opposed it from the start, and quite Bit
terly; but later he favored II, furnish
ing an example of one Of those mex
plainable Inconsistencies. 1t has been
said his first opposition was in the in
terests OF the people living along the
National Pike out in Western Ohio and
through Indiana, that these people
claimed a property right in the part OF
the pike, the street cars were to occupy,
running through the town: and that
they feared their teams would scare at
the cars as they would drive through
Bridgeport on their way TO the BaIti-
more market. Possibly after hearing
favorably, little later, from these peo-
ole he had no further choice but TO IA
vor the enterprise.
But then there are people who think
this is not the correct reason for Mr..
Heinlein's double attitude In this mat
ter-possiby they may be right.
1t is not our purpose in this article TO
do Mr. Heinlein any injustice; we mere
ly wish to emphasize the fact that
special abilities or fitness for partic-
ular calling are shown in the every day
affairs OF men, and there is where we
must go to make up our estimate Of any
one who may ask the privilege from the
people Of being their agent in making
their laws. y.