Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-05-28


The City Charter Commission met
last evening, and put in three hours Of
hard work, not adjourning until eleven
o'clock.
Mr.. w. ]. Bodley presented his ere
dentials as representative from the
Trades Assembly, vice Richard Rob-
ertson, resigned, and they were accept
ed and Mr. Bodley was formally declar-
ed a member OF the body.
Mr. Hamilton, from the sub-commit-
tee appointed at the last meeting to
interview Mayor Hamm, of Fulton, on
the subject of Incorporating Fulton in
the proposed enlarged limits of Wheel
ing, reported that he had talked with
a number of gentlemen interested in
industrial matters at Fulton, and
found them opposed to being brought
into the city. He had also seen Mayor
Hamm, who had stated that while he
was personally in favor of the towns
becoming part Of the city, under the
new charter, he felt sure that such
move would be voted down by the citi-
zens at this time. The matter was dis
cuSsed for some time. and finally Mr..
Erskine, as the attorney OF the Com
mission, was instructed to address an
official communication TO the Mayor
and Council OF Fulton, that the mat
ter might be officially incorporated in
the records Of that town, where it would
be available as a matter of record in
the future, If the question should ever
come up again in any form.
Mr. Hamilton also stated that he had
seen one gentleman interested in man
ufacturing in that portion Of Benwood
lying north Of Boggs' run, which 1t was
proposed to incorporate as part Of
Wheeling, If the people were willing.
That gentleman had said that person
ally he would spend several thousand
dollars to prevent any such annexation,
and thought he could raise several
thousand more, if necessary. AS it is
not the policy Of the Commission TO
force any section to enter the city,
against the will of the people, no fur
ther steps will be taken.
Solicitor Erskine had with him type
written pages of a draft of so much of
the proposed charter as had been
roughly blocked out at the last ses-
sion of the body, and the papers were
read, discussed, criticized, amended in
several particulars, and passed for the
present. There appeared TO be an
unanimous determination to exercise
che greatest possible care in the draft
ing OF the proposed measure, and all the
expressions of opinions and actions
taken were upon broad grounds. hav-
ing the good of the entire community at
heart. The discussions upon legal and
other points were often long and al
ways interesting, and the result Of the
last two sessions have been very valu-
able in familiariZing the members with
the work in hand. AS upon former oc-
casions since his employment as attor-
ney, Mr.. Erskine recalled discussions
and papers at the late Baltimore ses-
sion of the Good Government League
with distinct advantage to all present.
After disposirg of the work OF the
last session, as written up by Mr. Frs
kline. the Commission fixed upon Mon
day evenings for the regular meetings
o. the Commission, and then turned its
attention to the consideration of new
business. The matters taken up relat-
ed entirely to Council, ard the work on
this branch of the subject was not con-
Guided when the Commission adjourn
ed Among other things decided upon
was the point that a citizen must
be resident Of the city for one year
before coming eligible to membership
in Council. The present law as to the
First Branch requires residence OF
three years, so it will be seen that a
step in the direction Of popularizing the
work was taken right there Mem
bers are eligible to reelection. but
member removing from the ward from
which he was elected vacates his office
by his act. removal from the city
also vacates his office, as at present.
The number Of wards into which the
city may be divided shall not be less
than seven nor more than twelve. At
present the law reads, not less than
eight nor more than ten. Monthly
meetings of Council are provided for,
with the usual provisions for special
meetings IN cases of emergency.
A great many minor matters relating
to the election, duties, ETC., of men,
bers were considered and passed, and
as rule no change was made in the
existing law, except where it was made
necessary by the abolition of the two
Branch system for a single body.
Under the resolution adopted, the
Commission will meet again next Mon
day evening for the further prosecution
Of the work.