Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-08-28

BODY.
The citizens who attended last nights
meeting Of Council in anticipation of
fun did not go away disappointed. The
lobby was large in both Branches, in
GLIDING several candidates for Health
Officer J. G. Walden's shoes, and their
friends and wire pullers. The Health
Officer yesterday afternoon handed his
resignation to the Committee on Health
and it was read in both Branches. AL
most every member of Council favored
its acceptance, and a majority of each
Branch voted that way, but there was
division Of sentiment regarding the
ACCESSIBILITY of proceeding to an imme>
date election to fill the vacancy. This
fact caused a lively fight in both
Branches, during which the spectacle
was presented of the city's legislative
body tied in knot, figuratively speak
ing, which sorely perpleXed the able
parliamentarians of that body. Nearly
two hours We're spent in profitless
wrangling, and the upshot of the mat
ter was an adjournment without ac-
cOmplishing anything.
1t is stated on the authority of one of
the candidates for Health officer. that
the members who voted against the
proposition TO proceed TO an election
were actuated by desire to defeat a
certain other candidate, who, it is al
legged has made an active canvass for
the position for several days. and has
secured the promise of a number of the
members. IL is very likely that the
desire for the election OF their favorite
candidates. took precedence over every
thing else in the minds of the Council
men, and involved them in the tangle
which no person appeared to be able to
uuravel. At any rate. Council intend
ed to accept Dr. Walden's resignation,
but matters were in such a muddled
condition that the body adjourned in
sheer desperation and DR.. Walden is
still Health Officer.
The Second Branch accepted the res
ignation Internationally, and the First
hitched on an amendment, providing
that it take effect when his successor
shall have been appointed and qualified.
The Second Branch refused TO concur.
The First held its ground and asked for
the appointment OF a conference COM
miJtee. The committee consisted of
five members, and, singularly enough,
they reported that they could not agree.
Among the avowed candidates for the
position who were present We're DR.. j.
w. Mccoy, DR.. w. c. Etzler, and DR..
Eugene Warren.
The roll call showed a full quorum
present In both branches NJ eight O'Clock.
Bills reported with favorable recommen-
dation We're ordered paid, as follows:
Accounts S4045; markets, 5000; Gem
eteries. $3.50; police, $3.50. A license
was granted for a coffee house on South
McColloch street. The Health Commit
tee reported tAat IL had approved ac-
counts aggregating S1,295.11. The DIS
We're ordered paid.
The Health Committee further re-
ported that it had accepted the bid OF
J. II. Kraft. for the erection Of a city
hospital. and asked for authority to go
ahead with the work. The accompany
ing resolution to that effect was adopted
by q unanimous vote.
The resignation OF DR.. J. G.. Walden
as Health Officer was submitted with
the report of the committee, and was
read BIZ the clerk. The document read
as follows:
TO the Honorable Mayor and Council
of the City of Wheeling.
eN.-,H1 er,,or.- TDolcfh1v- TN GRO qVQ fpyu
among You who know the obstacles that
a Health Officer meets in the execution
of his duties, even under the most IA
v0rable circumstances. How much
harder has it been in these past few
months since the smallpox has been in
our midst.
IN times like these he not only
should have the support n Council and
the Committee on Health, but also the
support OF the people, TO efficiently sub
due this plague. Adequate powers
should be granted him and his commit
tee. which do not at present exist.
OF late there has been growing
feeling of restraint and dissatisfaction
between certain members Of Council and
the Health Officer, all Of which tend
to hinder the development Of good re-
suits. knowing these things, and real
ling that harmony should prevail for
the best interests of all, l hereby re-
spectfuuy tender my resignation as
Health Officer of the city of Wheeling,
TO take effect at pleasure of Council.
J. G.. WALDEN, NJ. D.
NJ Britt moved to accept, and the
uoo-tOu was carried without q dissent
ing voice.
Mr. Bender moved to proceed to the
election of a Health Officer Seconded
by Mr.. Wills. Speaking to the motion,
Mr. Britt stated that he was not favor
able to choosing a successor to DR.. Wal
den at present. There was no neces-
SHY for haste Council had excellent
material from which to make a selec-
tion. but haste had precip.tated the
present trouble. Ii was a matter 10 be
deplored He thought that Council
could, within ten or fifteen minutes
after adjournment hold a joint caucus,
and make q choice.
Dr.. Taylor also opposed the motion.
lie argued that few persons were ac-
Quainted with the ardU0us duties Of the
Office, and he proceeded to enumerate
some of them. No man in Wheeling
has been harder worked than the Health
Officer lie did not want to be under
stood as approving all the actions Of Dr.
Walden, but speaking for the Health
Committee, he hoped the motion would
not prevail.
Dir. Hahne thought it eminently prop
err TO so into an election at once The
Health officer had rendered his resigna-
ton. and it was accepted If it had not
been, the fact remained that the Health
Omcer was not doing his full duty.
Council had as good material from
which 10 make a selection now as it
Mnnll h1Va Within n week or two