Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-09-25
CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE
Held Another Session in the First
Branch Council Chamber
Last Night-The Proposed Charter
Considered by Section, and
Number of Amendments Adopt
ed-Some Changes Asked in the
Name OF Organized Labor

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The work of considering the proposed
new city charter. since it has been print
ed is very tedious, and the commission
VIII have several more nights of hard
work before the matter viii be in shape
to submit to Council. Last night the com
mittee was in session for three hours, and
passed over about twenty-five sections in
the charter.
Inc charter was taken up at the point
where its consideration left of at the last
meeting namely section %. When section
81. providing for certain taxes. was reach
ed, II was suggested that it be amended
to include a provision for taxing pool
rooms. This section was laid over. All
sections, as printed. were accepted until
section 40 was reached. when Mr.. NJ. I.
I1ghe arose and moved TO amend by pro-
viding. first, that all municipal work shall
be done by the city, without the interven-
ton Of contra ctors or middle men; second.
providing for municipal ownership of
water and gas works, with power TO sell
water and light third. providing for eight
hours TO constitute Il days work in indus
trial departments; fourth. the election of
all heads of departments by direct vote of
the people and the extension Of the right
OF suffrage wherever practicable; fifth,
resident taxpayers to be given the prefer
ence in city employment; no franchises
TO be granted except by vote of the people.
Mr.. Tighe presented these suggestions
on behalf of the Trades Assembly. and in
the name of organized labor. Each prop
ositon was discussed briefly. and resolu-
tons were adopted providing for incorpor-
atng all in the proposed charter except the
last. When it was offered Col. O'Brien
took the floor ana stated that he knew that
two perpetual franchises were corruptly
secured from Council by corporations
through the instrumentality of a commit
tee clerk. Mr.. McGregor saw in the reso-
luton possible source of great trouble
and expense. He pointed out the fact that
this would cause an election. with.a great
expense. every time n franchise was asked
and very often when the franchises were
not of such an important nature as 20 JUS
tify the expense. Action was postponed
until the section providing for franchises
is reached.
Mr. Tighe moved to amend section % to
make terms two years for Mayor and
other offices. instead CT four years. as pro-
vided. Col Miller Defended the provision
of the section. Mr. TiEhe replied. The
amendment was defeated.
When the section providing for the cleo
ton Of Board of Control was read. Col.
Miller said ne thought there should be
some provision for representation of the
two leading parties upon tho Board. The
difficulties in this respect were enumera-
Tod lr-
Mr.. Davidson could not vote for term
Of office for six years. and thought that
provision should defeat the charter before
the people. Col. O'Brien's motion to fix
the term of Office for four years was de-
feated but afterwards reconsidered and
adopted.
The draft of the charter provided that
the Mayor shall have a vote in Council.
This stirred up quite q discussion when it
was read. A motion was made. and de-
bated at length. 10 strike out this pro-
vision. but it was amended to give the
Mayor vote in Council in case of a tie.
There was also some discussion over the
method of selecting a bank for depositinS
the citys money. Mr. Davidson objected
TO the present fee sysytem I'm the collect
or's office and moved to amend by fXinE
q salary. and no commission. This also
brought up the question Of the annual
delinquent list, Mr.. hamilton contcndng
that the payment OF q salary and no COM
mission would impair the efficacy Of the
department. Mr.. Davidson called atten-
ton to the fact that many persons have
been clamoring for the abolition OF the fec
system. yet it is proposed in the Charter
Commission to perpcuate it in this city.
The section was amended to fix the col
lectors salary at sum not to exceed
$1,000 a year, and no fees.
Tie Commission then adjourned until
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