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

and Discussions.
The City Charter Commission met
last evening at $40 o'clock, with Chair
man Hazle,t and Messrs. O'Brien.
Kleiyes, Bodley, McGregor, Paul. Ham
ilton and Davidson present. Mr.. Lutz
came in later.
The first business taken up was sec
ton 60, providing for the Board of Civil
Service Examiners, and a suggestion
was made by Col. O'Brien that the term
Of Office should be changed from two
four and six years to q fixed term for
the whole Board, and an individual
bond eXacted. instead of a joint Board,
ithe Colonel being under the impression
that the Board of Public SAFETY was
under discussion. The Colonel said he
would make the fixed period of the life
of the Board either two or four years,
having no preference as to that. He
finally moved TO make il four years.
Mr.. McGregor could see no reason for
the change. He thought greater eff
cheney would be obtained by always re-
tanning TWO experienced members
Col O'Brien-That argument was all
gone over at former meetings II will
be done for you, il You don't 90 it,
Mr. PAUL sad he thought as Mr.. NJ
Gregor He did not like to see an en-
tirely new Board 80 in every TWO or
four years.
Col. O'Brien said the idea was to
keep away from a Board which, in a
measure. would be perpetual. He want
ed to keep il in such shape that Council
and the people could get at it, if it did
not do right. Abuses may creep in,
and if they do, the people should be able
TO right them. I take il that no Council
will disturb a good Board. But there
was trouble in the Garden Of Eden, and
we NAV have j, in the Board of Public
Safety"
Mr.. McGregor said he was afraid that
under the Colonel's idea politics would
creep into the Board. and certainly it
would not be desirable to have that
occur.
Then it came out that the Colonel
was talking about the Board of Public
SAFETY, while Mr. McGregor and Mr..
PAUL were talking about the Civil Ser
wee Commission, as provided in Sec. Go.
and the Colonel begged the Commiss.On's
pardon.
Mr.. Davidson said he was still op-
posed to six years lem for any
Board. He thought four years was
long enough.
Mr.. Hamilton said the Civil Service
Board had no political significance. It
was simply an examining board, which
granted certificates 10 applicants for
public positions. Their duties were en-
tirely formal, and their certificate car
ried nothing with it, except making the
holders of such certificates eligible 10
appointment.
Mr.. Davidson still voiced his OppOs-
ton to a long term, and gave his rea-
sons at length.
Finally, a motion TO make the term
Of the Civil Service Examiners four
years was put and los.
During the discussion, Mr. Erskira
called attention TO the fact that he had
obtained copies Of the Chicago Civil
Service rules, and also the Massachusetts,
rules. which governed thirty cities in
that State, many OF them smaller than
Wheeling.
There was a long discussion over the
probable duties Of the Chief Examiner,
the Clerk of the Examining Board,
etc. but little that was tangible came
out of it, except that the compensation
of The Chief Examiner was paced at not
TO exceed $500 for the frs, year and $500
thereafter.
The Commission then turned 10 q sug-
gestion by Col. Miller, at a former ses-
SIGN. in the form OF a new section, be-
tween Sec. Is and Sec 49, and dealing
with rules Of Council, providing Jha, no
business should be done by members of
Council except in regular session, and
forbi5dilg legislation by a minority in
the hope Of having enough members
agree TO It later TO make up a majority.
As Col. Miller was absent, the matter
was laid over
The next point was a suggestion here
tofcre made by Mr.. Tighe, coming in as
new section after Sec. 81, ana giving
Council. authority to have all work done
under the supervision of city officials,
withou. the Intervention of middlemen.
The matter was adopted at previous
meeting. and was now ordered inserted
as new section, after ST.
Mr.. McGregor offered new section,
after No. %. as follows:
Council shall have authority to pur-
chase any toll bridge or bridges
over the east channel of the
Ohio river, connecting the ISL
and Seventh ward) with the other por-
tons of the city: but no debt shall be
created in the making of such purchase
except upon full compliance with the
provisions Of the Constitution OF the
State. reported in See 81 Of this act.
Upon acquiring such bridge or bridges,
the Council shall have authority TO make
all needful and reasonable regulations III
regard TO the care thereof and in re-
gard to any tolls that may be earned
thereon by contract or may be charged
thereon TO provide for the maintenance
thereof
Col. O'Br.en said he was heartily op-
posed to any proposition looking 10 Jhe
purchase of two bridges. In the IAN
guage of the paper, It "squints very
much in The direction OF plan 10 UNLOAD
two bridges upon The city, at the expense
Of the taxpayers, and if my friend Mr..
NcGregor is the friend Of the Seventh
ward people. do not Jh;nk he is taking
tbe hest means to get at what he wants.
do not think the Island peop-e or the
neonle of the city would approve any
Man looking TO buying both of those
bridges" He made a motion that the
word bridges" be struck out, and that
+ he made to read: purchase any one