Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-27
OPPOSES TIE CHARTER.


open 10 q discussion Of the proposed city
charter which certain clements appear
determined to force upon the people of the
city, whether "a majority of the voters and
Taxpayers want it or not ! venture TO
address YOU a few remarks upon the SUP
ject.
am opposed 70 the new charter and say
SO at the risk OF being frowned upon by
the small coterie of gentlemen who are
responsible for it, and who are actively
engaged in arrogaung 10 themselves ali
the local patriotism, intelligence, progress
sive ideas and general sul~riority eXtant
among u.s. And opposing it, l wish to
state some OF the grounds of my objec-
tions and to assure those active in behalf
OF the charter that majority of the vot-
ers are also opposed TO it,
Before entering into q discussion of the
measure. however. let us glance at the
origin of this measure and inspect the
personnel Of the Charter Commission it.
self. Ia response 10 what great public
demand was this charter scheme brought
into being? Were the people clamorinS
for "a new fundamental law? Have things
been working SO badly, with the present
charter rights of the city as a cause. that
il was imperative that We 80 TO the Legis-
lature for new rights and a new scheme of
local government? Not at all. our pres
eHl cHiIleI' CoN'"l'.'"S 'Ciy '@''''O'e
i'sN'7' WIZ" " 'ou'U i'0'''''' ''C' '.'''''l
get from the LEGISLATURE was sI'e" Us
sixty years ago III mas oevH o''"' ecu
amended ana improve" "Po" iioIii 'ili'9
10 uhle' as '"e oCVSSlo" 0'osv' anu "''"S'
the various en'ctmehis we nave grown
and proSpercd' nave city government
when STANDS close TO the people Nilcn 10
generally Well anu usually e'o"oiiilc'lH'
"oiiilHiS'eIeu' anu '"e "A-l"Se'S a. 'i'-
lIely s"'iSIiOu' /" '"e i"'"i'' "9 III 'I0
past we couio secure the passage Vi ""-
diuonal amendatorE acts as lAey We're
wanted and could thus get along lnuei-
iuiteiy, while preserving all our ancient
rights. All OF sudden however "llhout
warning new charler proposition Sc"eiue
is sprung upon U.S. the ordnance creating
II is rushed through Council OoihiAis-
sion. with authority to 81 Tor two years
beyond the life OF the present Council IL
necessary, rs passed and before one man
out of every twenty is aware OF what Is
going ON. the thing Is IN fun force ana
and voters of this city are workingmen,
yet when this Commission is constituted.
we find not over four wage carriers out
OF sixteen members. while of the others
of sixteen members, two of the four be-
ing members of Council Under such
auspices. charter was formulated
which rcyolutionizes our entire system of
government takes IL very largely out or
the hands of the people ana forms a. con-
Vcnient stepping stone TO "a concentration
of the entire city government i'm the hands
of one man. Indeed. the lntellisencer
rests its objection to the present charter
upon the fact that it does not do this at
once. that paper desiring to see all power
authority ana responsibility lodged i'm the
hands Of a Mayor. presumably one elected
for four or SIX years. rms sihackS 700
much Of one-man power Tor one VINO ne
AcVes III repuoilcah form Oh government
and / ann glad THAT the members OF lhe
First Branch of Council had the courage
TO stop the thing right where they did
Let il stay there at least until there Is
some public demand for such device.
Now. as to- my objections They are
many, and / viii name but lew at THIS
time.
T. The Legislature will never give the
CITY the charter as il stands. for IL carries
with if the right TO sell electricity. This
has been twice refused by the LEGISLATURE.
and will Doe refused again.
.. am opposed TO the Board system.
| Officers elected by the people. and who are
responsible to the people. are good enough
for me.