Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-02-09
TIE PROPOSED NEW CHARTER
Another Session Of the Special Council
Committee Last Night

Under the Resolution of Council,
Ending with an Agreement to Re
port that a New Charter is Neces-
sary,Sand Stop There Pending
Action by Council.
The special Council committee 10
consider and formulate a new charter
for the city was called to meet last
evening in the chamber of the First
Branch OF Council 1t was a bad night
for meeting in two senses-the
weather being very inclement, and the
flag end OF the week, but notwithstand-
ing this quorum was secured about
eight O'Clock. Those present were
Chairman r. w. Hazlett and Messrs.
Waterhouse, Lutz, Campbell, Robert
son, Tighe, Col. Miller, Col. O'Brien.
ana Hamilton. Mr.. Davidson came in
later.
Business was opened by Mr.. Camp
bell stating that the citizens on the
committee. outside OF Council, could OBJ
tain city ordinance books by applying
TO the City Clerk. He further said that
several copies of charters of other cities
had been obtained, but other cities,
which it had been hoped would be
prompt, had not responded 50 far, and
he found they would not unless the re-
quest was enlarged"
Mr.. Hamilton suggested that, in his
opinion, it would be well to report back
to Council the conclusion Of the Com
mittee that a new charter was desir-
able, and obtain the sanction OF Council
upon that point, before preceding fur
ther. He offered a motion TO that end.
Col. Miller said he would like 10 have
the original resolution, passed by Coun-
Gil, constituting the Committee, read,
so that the body might know exactly
what 1t was expected to do. The reso,.
luton should have been read at the
first meeting of the Committee, but il
was not
Mr.. Hamilton said he could repeat
the substance Of the Council resolu-
ton, and did so, but the Clerk was sent
for the original
said that after the resolution had been
read, he thought Mr. HamiltOn's pend
ing resolution ought to be SO enlarged
so as to enable the Committee to employ
one or more capable and careful legal
counsel, in order that what was done
or TO be done might be done properly
and in such a shape that Ii would not
have to be done over again. If the
Committee was to do earnest and good
work, It should have the proper means
at its disposal.
Mr.. Hamilton said he had thought OF
that, but to his notion. that ought to
come in the form Of q separate resolu-
ton, addressed to Council.
Mr.. Davidson said Council had for
mulated the body TO do certain work
and as a necessary result, Council
would expect to pr lapy~expense In
CURED.
At this poin' n ~ Clerk>>returned
and read the r. ,olution of CounciHap'
pointing the Committee The resolH>
ton appeared '0 limit the present ac-
ton OF the body 10 consideration Of the
proposition whether or not there should
be new charter.
Mr.. Robertson said that was the
plain object and scope Of the resolu-
ton, and he felt that the body had done
all 1t could without further authority.
Mr. Campbell said that while this ap-
peared to be true. from the language Of
the resolution, yet it was the idea OF
Council that the Committee should DO
more, and if in It's judgment, new
charter was necessary, then 10 20 ahead
and get one up, and report the docu-
ment to Council, which body would
then appoint q commission, like the
Electric Light Commission, to get the
measure through the Legislature.
To this, Mr. Robertson retorted that,
undoubtedly, no matter what the idea
Of members OF Council might have
been, the language Of the resolution
adopted by Council was perfectly plain
and straightforw 1t merely told
the Committee 10 Consider the eX-
pediency," and report back He thought
nothing more could be done.
Mr.. Hamilton took a middle ground
between Messrs Hamilton and Robert
son. but he thought it would he a good
thing to have Council endorse the cons
clusion of the Committee That would
be an endorsement Of the present con-
clusions of the Committee and in adj
dition permission to go ahead That
action taken. then Council could en-
power the body to employ an attorney
and incur other expenses.
Col. Miller said it was very apparent
that Council. in It's resolution appoint
ing the Committee, did not fully express
what appeared to have been in the
minds OF the members. He thought
the Committee had done ali it should
do under the resolution, and should re-
port back and await the further pleas
ure or instructions of the parent body.
As it appeared impossible TO secure tho
resolution adopted at the last meeting
of the Committee, to the effect that the
new charter was desirable. for the rea-
son that 1t was locked UP, he would
favor the adoption Of a new resolution.
Mr.. Lutz said his views we're Identical
with those expressed by Col. Miller.
Mr.. Davidson said he was inclined to
the opinion that the Committee had
done all 1t was authorized TO do, when
It recommended n new charter as de-
sirable
After some little further discussion,
Mr.. Robertson reduced TO writing a new