Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-09-04
WbeeIin9 2e9ister
SOME COUNTY AFFAIRS.
Aired and Criticized in a Communication
From Citizen.

Aired and Criticized in a Communication
From Citizen.
To the Editor of the Register:
Sir: An evening paper, in late issue.
wishes the finances of the city We're con-
Quoted on the same principles as those
OF the county under the Board of County
Commissioners. Let US see: SlS5,4l9 l5 Is
the amount of revenue collected and the
same spent by the County Commissioners.
This is the largest sum, under ordinary
circumstances, that has ever been spent
in any one year.
Twelve years ago when the court was
composed of business men. instead of
the material in it now, $l20C0O was suf-
ficient Then times were better and all
values higher than now.
The city merchants may be selling at
half. or no profits. The railroads re-
ceiving less returns from freights. The
mechanic and laborer may be idle, receiv-
ing half wages The farmers crop fail,
and if not. get little or nothing for their
produce-his wheat 25c to soc per bush
81; corn, Soc and hay IS per ton. While
wages and prices are lowering, the taxes
are ever the same or higher. The Com
missioners have increased the salary Of
the Clerk from SLIGO to $500 per year,
although the work has not increased in
proportion The Engineers pickings are
increased from $500 TO $,SGS %. They
employ two Superintendents for
the Cumberland road at 81 30
per day each, instead Of one
that got only 81 per day. They spent
over 5000 on this road last year, and
the lower end or first division, never
was in such bad condition as it is at the
present time The bouldcrs laid when the
road was first made are now exposed TO
view I'm several places. In 1868, when all
the bridges were washed away, and the
Road and Bridge Committee had so
much to 90. their average wages ran
about $500 per year. The last year. the
lowest received by any Commissioner
was S6iO. and the highest over SlOJ0. one
Of the commissioners was paid $500 for
writing out $2l5 worth of poor orders
They appointed one of their own num-
Der. who was a butcher. to superintend
the construction of stone bridges at -
per day. and mileage. And the same mem
Der. the same pay. to watch two men
wash the walls in the county building,
whose combined wages amounted TO the
same sum. In connection with this l
wish to quote a State law bearing on
this
THAT it shall be unlawful for any
county court. or other tribunal estab-
lished in lieu thereof in this State. to
constitute or appoint itself or any Of its
members. a committee. or to otherwise
designate or select itself. or any member
thereof. to act in any manner, as such
committee or otherwise in any matter
or matters. wherein such court. or any
of its members. acting in such capacity,
shall charge or receive any compensation
directly or indirectly, to be paid by the
county for which such court, or any of its
members shall act. or by any district
therein. and no allowance shall be made
or paid for any such services
We hear n lot about anarchists nova
DAYS. I understand the meaning of the
word is. one who holds in contempt the
law governing them; therefore, they are
anarchists.
NV Republican friends arc great ad-
vocates of labor. Eight hours shall con-
stitute a legal days work. they are the
champions Of organized labor. yet the
Board of Commissioners eIap,oy coal
miners to do their painting and - I'm
hands to do their masonry. Some Of them
nose before their constituents as ereat
moralists. but they vote TO license broth
els and gambling dens. They have 2stah-
lshed a yearly revel in tho Couoly m
Urinary. when everything on N iaIia IS
an fait. and when bon mots jokes and
singing are in order. Everything goes
"morrilv as n marriage bell" Their con-
duct is so hilarious. and at one .'uo so
outrageous. that on the complaint of the
Superintendent Of the Poor House. one
Of the members Of the Committee on Poor
House and Farm was removed from that
committee. 4 nice place to hold such lov-
els. while i'm the same building may he
seen all forms Of misery and disease.
Mr. Editor. I hesitate To take 1p more
space in your paper. or I would draw
the attention of the taxpayers to low
this Board Of Commissioners is using
their money. How they allow the
roads to be torn up and then
spend money in clearing them; how they
spread stone in April and rake them on
in MAY; how they contract to have stone
mt on the roads at s. cents, but 1t costs
the county nearly SO per yard. How
the Road and Bridge Committee make
three calls (and each call costs $50 before
they decide to do q piece of work that the
whole work and material only cost So
1t would he better for the county if the
court were reduced to three or five mem
bers. and pay each member 5000 per year.
than the present board, that an evening
paper is so anxious that the city's finan-
ces should be handled in the same way.
In future communication I VIII refer
TO the finances Of the Court House and
iaiI. l remain, Mr. Editor, yours respect
fully. "EMUR."