Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-10-17

The City Charter Commission met
again last evening, those present being
Chairman Hazett and Messrs. O'Brien,
Lutz, Miller, Bodley, Klieyis and Hamil-
ton, it thus lacking one of a quorum.
1t was decided, however, to go ahead
with the work of review, in the hope that
another member would drop IN during
the progress OF the evening.
The first thing taken up was draft
Of the new section, No. lisa, suggested
some time ago by Col. Miller, to the
effect that no action taken by members
of Council, not In formal session, should
be binding upon the city, and no agree
ment by members, out of session, should
be considered OF any force or effect, the
penalty being expulsion of the members
so offending. The general idea of the
Colonel was Ito stop legislation on the
streets"
Mr. Hamilton cited a recent case o.
that sort, when a soap factory, burned
out in another town, had notion OF To-
eating within this city, in violation OF
laws governing such factories, and Weno
around and obtained the private consent
of a majority OF The members Of Council
and the Mayor, too.
There was quite a long debate, during
which a number of the gentlemen eX-
pressed their views, and il was finally
adopted as a wise precautionary measure.
Mr.. Erskine suggested an amendment
tn Sec 80. where it was provided that
the Board of Control should not in
augurate OF their own volition any work
costing to complete $1,000 or more. He
suggested a slight amendment tending
10 strengthen the section, and 1t was
agreed to-
Col. O'Brien brought up the Police
Court provision which gave the Mayor
the right to impr.son for year. He
thought this Was too large a power 10
lodge in the hands of one man, without
a trail by jury, and said that although
there was the right OF appeal, that was
not always a means OF relief. to poor
or ill-in:Ormed citizen. This led TO q
discussion OF another clause, which pro-
vided for the issuance of a warrant OF
arrest by affidavit "or Otherwise The
words cor otherwise" were stricken out.
Nothing was done with the first sugges-
ton Of the Colonel.
Mir. Erslline then reported a skeleton
draft of the bill amending Sec. 2l9 of
Chapter 80 of the Code, the effect OF
which was 10 give the CITY inclusive au-
snority and jurisdiction, within the city,
over houses Of i'll fame, this being the
result and outgrowth Of several discus
sions heretofore had upon the subject
of abuses and prosecutions by Justices
OF the Peace and COns,abies. This act
has nothing to do with the charter, dl-
rectly. but is a collateral matter. Mr..
Erskine submitted, in this same connec-
ton. an act amending Sec. 10 Of Chap
ter 149 of the Code, also bearing upon
the same subject. The bills were recon-
mended TO Council for transmission TO
the Legislature, along with the charter
The Commission then resumed the
consideration and formal passage OF the
last sections of the charter, commencing
with section No. 106, where work was
left off at the las session. The last
sectjons embraced in last nights work,
related to the important subjects OF fran
chises. publication of ordinances by
Camel etc. The Commission then ad-
iourned sine die.
After a little further polishing by the
attorney. the charter will be ready Tor
re-printing. and will then go to Council.