Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

Inc matter was discussed IOf long
time, and was finally settled by limiting
the Board TO the expenditure of $1,000,
for new work, in any one year.
Sec. SO dealt with the subject Of a
City Solicitor, and Mr.. McGregor moved
to insert the words after the salary of
81 900, "ard no other compensation or
fee shall BE- given him, except as here
matter provided" Adopted.
Col. O'Brien moved to insert the
words, after approve all bonds" Eek
anime all titles TO property which may
be acquired by the city" Agreed to.
Then they came to Sec. 81 and the
Board of Public Safety.
Mr.. Tighe moved TO strike the section
out, and insert a section providing
for the election of a Chief of Police. by
the people, for the term of two years
and for the election, by Council, of
Health Officer and a Chief Of the Fire
Department.
Speaking to his motion, Mr. Tighe said
he realized fully the task of trying TO
change the sentiments Of the sub-com-
mttee, and almost believed that they
were convinced of the good of the change
made. But he and his constituents
were inalterabiy opposed 10 the pro-
posed change. 1t was radical change
and one that would not be for the bet
ter. The present system. in his opinion,
was a good one, and he charged that at
the outset there was no intention TO
make any such sweeping change, either
IN or out of Council. He said Boards of
Control over police matters resulted in
corruption, bribery and malfeasance.
Ii was true that some officials elected
were Inefficient, but The evils were
righted, while under the Boards were
not. He cited a recent case in Pitts
burg. where it had been demonstrated
that the police system Of the city was
involved in such a ring that no man
could be superintendent except as a
figure-head, even with the support o. the
press, and a friend Of his had defined
the honor under the circumstances.
There was no reply to his argument,
and the Chair took the floor and said
he knew It was radica! change. but the
grounds of the objections made ap-
peared to him 10 be rather theoretical,
and one theory was as good as another
until tried. He favored the section be-
cause there must be a special response
b.lity that ma,feasance in Office or in
ability or indisposi,iOn TO enforce the
laws might Al once be corrected. The
history Mr.. Tighe had invoked was not
a very boastful one, so far as Wheeling
was concerned. The police chief OF tn
city was elected by 2 popular vote, and
he was enabled 10 secdr, mis- election
by securing the interests OF certain eie-
ments. People of The city, without dis
tinction OF class, we're not particular
enough about the personnel of III Office
seeker. while there was no responsibility
at all, exc pit TO The people Many laws
were not enforced and could not be,
under the presen, system. But II a
man was appointed and confirmed he
was relieved of all outside pressure.
No SET CT men could rule him. He was
bound % Go right, or be sUsp nded from
his office. If he failed to enforce any
law ne would be suspended and held
responsible. II was CONSCIENTIOUS IN
regard to the matter, and believed it
would be for better government
Mr.. McGregor said ne had seen enough
in IN last twelve or fifteen years 10
know that change was needed. He had
seen in this city a citizen 50 drunk ne
did not know what he was doing carried
up stairs by a policeman and made 10
cast a vote. He would go further than
the section and KEEP officers in ONCE so
long as thy did right.
Col. O'Brien said he would vote tor
the section, although sons time ago ne
aid not intend to do t. He reviewed
the section. said 1t involved also The fire
and health departm ents, and thus IN
volveG the life. the. the liberty and the
property of the people. H spoke with
great earnestness, citing as he went on
the late smallpox situation. lie sa.d IL
WAS 4 matter OF transc ndent import
ance and The best interests of all the
people W re at stake. The fauIt uhoer
the present system was not so much the
fault of the chiefs, s The CounclI anu
the peop,e Robert McN.chol and Tno5:
n Renrett were good men, and would
do their dutv if their hands were uphe!d.
"Tf Won can form this thing, in Goa S
name do it. and give us a better system
and better state of affairs.
In reply Mr.. Tighe said that no gov
eminent could be better than the people
wsnted 1t to be. AS to the smallpox SIT
nation. he said that if the old officer
had been supported by Council as the
new one was. the result might have been
different. As to police chiefs not en-
forcing the laws, they were generally
those which were only 10 be called into
Use in cases of emergency. He thought
the record of Wheeling was good, and
we had less crime than any other city
of our size. The people were the SOW
ereigns. and the majority must rule.
The evils were more imaginary than
real. and the change would not better
them. He said he could not, perhaps,
convince the majority, but he challeng-
ed them TO SHOW where the change would
be beneficial He asked for an aye and
nay vote
Mr.. Davidson wanted to know with a
view of reconclling the differences,
whether or not there could not be a sec
ton drafted giving the Mayor power to
remove the Chief of Police from office,
even if he was elected by the people.
To this Mr.. Erskine said the Legisla-
ture could do anything it wanted to. 1t
was only a custom for a city to origin
ate its charter. The Legislature had
full power.
Mr.. Davidson said he was pleased to
know the new charter gave the people
larger lowers than the old, in the matter
of cleo ing officers, and ne wanted to add
the Chief of Police to the number, with
suitable safeguards.
Col. Miller said that he could not vote
for the section as 1t stood.
The roll was called and the vote
stood: ayes-Messrs. Tighe, Davidson